Bekowies earned the honor for her exploits on and off the court. The six-foot-three-inch middle blocker graduated from Menlo College at the end of the fall semester with a 3.952 grade point average and was president of the school's Delta Mu Delta Honor Society. Bekowies also accumulated more than 100 hours of community service during her senior year, helping to raise money for the Haiti Relief Fund, working at First Baptist Church in her hometown of Benicia, Calif., and assisting at Second Harvest Food Bank and with the Cans Across America food drive.

On the volleyball court Bekowies stood out just as much. During her senior season she was selected Honorable Mention NAIA All-American, Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athlete, AVCA All-Southwest Region, and Cal Pac Volleyball Player of the Year for the second consecutive season. Bekowies was a four-time First Team All-Cal Pac selection and 2009-10 Menlo College Co-Female Athlete of the Year.

"All the student-athletes Nominated embody the highest ideals of the Cal Pac," Cal Pac Commissioner Don Ott said. "(Male Scholar Athlete of the Year) Curtis (Griffin) and Deborah are outstanding athletes, but their academic prowess is beyond impressive as well. When you add in their community service and volunteer efforts you see the essence of true Champions of Character."

Bekowies is the Oaks all-time leader in career kills, total blocks, and block assists. Her name appears 18 times in the Menlo volleyball single-season and career record lists. As a senior, Bekowies led the Cal Pac in hitting percentage while finishing second in kills per set, third in total kills, fourth in total blocks, and seventh in blocks per set.

With Bekowies in the middle the Oaks won three Cal Pac titles, advancing to the NAIA Tournament each season. Menlo was 50-6 in conference matches - 69-38 overall - and posted perfect Cal Pac records in Bekowies' freshman, junior, and senior seasons.