It takes a special kind of shot to score more than 600 points for a school in a three-year period. It takes a special kind of leadership to help propel a team to a national tournament.
And, it takes a special kind of player to average a double-double per game in their senior season.
Erika Forland was all of this player and more for the Covenant College Lady Scots basketball team during her three-year career with the team, and she was recognized for these outstanding achievements by being named to the NCCAA's All-American second team.
Forland, who transferred to Covenant from Houghton College after her freshman year, played in 87 career games for the Lady Scots, 25 of which came in her senior year.
In this final season, Forland shot better than 44%, reached double-digits in all but three games, recorded double-figure rebounds in all but seven games and accounted for 76% of the teams blocks.
"I remember my coach at Houghton College saying, after I was elected to be on the all-freshman team, that he could foresee me doing well enough to eventually be on the national (All-American) team, but I did not believe him,'' said Forland.
"While I have always been a pretty good athlete, and have won many awards, I had never achieved anything as big as being selected to an All-American team,'' she stated.
"This is something that I have never even dreamed about. I never aimed for any awards, but I am blessed that my hard work and love for the game have brought me to the place I am now.
Covenant College coach Tami Smialek said, "Erika is very deserving of this honor. She showed up each and every day to play, gave great effort, and led by example. It was a blessing to have coached her this season."