RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – Junior goalkeeper Calais Butts continues to earn accolades after being named to the NCAA Division II Conference Commissioner's Association (D2CCA) Women's Soccer All-Central Region Second Team on Tuesday afternoon.

"I'm couldn't be happier for Cal," commented head coach Chris Jones. "She has worked all year for her team and to show that she is a top goalkeeper in the MIAA. She also shows she is a top student in the classroom with her dedication to her studies." Jones added, "She is very deserving of this recognition! I am one proud coach!"

Butts made history as the first Hillcat to earn the MIAA Goalkeeper of the Year award and was selected for the All-MIAA Third Team. The native of Edmonton, Canada, started all 17 matches, logging 1,530 minutes of play. Her 121 saves, averaging 7.12 per game, led the MIAA and ranked fifth in NCAA Division II women's soccer at the end of the regular season. This single-season save total is tied for the fourth-most in program history, matching Jordan Harris (2013). Additionally, her 16 saves against UT Dallas on Sept. 6 rank as the second-most in a single game in program history. Butts wrapped up the season with a goals-against average of 1.82, capped by her first career shutout in a victory over Missouri Southern on Oct. 5.

She is the first Hillcat to receive this honor since Daisy Cardona (MF) and Taylor Sargent (GK) were named All-South Central Region selections in 2017. No player has achieved this distinction since Rogers State joined the MIAA in 2019.