Sioux City, Iowa – A former West Lyon Wildcat and a current Dordt Defender have earned NAIA honors as announced Monday, September 15th.
A.O. Duer Award Female Winner: Zavyr Metzger, Northwestern College (Iowa)
The NAIA Female A.O. Duer Award winner is Zavyr Metzger, a member of the Northwestern College Volleyball Team.
Metzger, from Larchwood, Iowa, is majoring in Nursing. Boasting a 3.99 GPA, she is a member of the Dean’s List at Northwestern. She is a two-time 1st team selection for GPAC Women’s Volleyball, twice earning co-defensive player of the year honors. In 2024, she was a 2nd team NAIA All-American. Metzger has led the NAIA in blocking the last two years.
“Beyond her elite athletic performance, Zavyr is an outstanding student,” said Northwestern Volleyball Coach Kyle Van Den Bosch. “She is deeply committed to her nursing studies, consistently prepared for class, and spends countless hours developing into a future healthcare professional. Balancing a demanding nursing program while competing at an All-American level in athletics is a rare and remarkable achievement. Regardless of how her day begins, Zavyr always shows up to practice or matches.”
Emil S. Liston Award Female Winner: Macy Sievers, Dordt University (Iowa)
The NAIA Female Emil S. Liston Award winner is Macy Sievers, a member of the Dordt University Women’s Basketball Team. Sievers, from Storm Lake, Iowa, is majoring in Elementary Education.
With a 3.87 GPA, Sievers was named to the CSC Academic All-America 1st team in 2024-25, along with being a NAIA Scholar Athlete. The 2024-25 GPAC and NAIA Player of the Year has helped lead Dordt to back-to-back National Championships and three conference championships.
“Macy is one of the most driven and unique individuals I have had the privilege to coach,” said Dordt Women’s Basketball Coach Bill Harmsen. “She is studious in the classroom, passionately serves her community, develops deep relationships with her teammates, and pursues excellence on the basketball floor like few others. What truly sets Macy apart is her love for her teammates and the impact she has on others. Macy’s school involvement, civic duty, and passion for her family, friends, church, university, and community are at the forefront of her daily interactions and thoughts.”
About these NAIA Awards:
A.O. Duer Award
The A.O. Duer Scholarship Award is named in honor of the NAIA’s former executive secretary who served the association for 26 years. This award has been annually presented since 1967 to a male and female student-athlete completing their junior season in any sport who has excelled in scholarship, character, and citizenship.
Emil S. Liston Award The Liston Award is named in honor of the NAIA’s first executive secretary and the prime mover behind the NAIA Men’s Basketball National Tournament. The award has been presented annually since 1950 to one junior men’s and one junior women’s basketball student-athlete who has shown high athletic and scholastic achievement.
