LEBANON, Tenn.--Cumberland Women's Volleyball standout
Hazel Konkel has been named the 2025-26 recipient of the Lindsey Donnell Award, presented annually to a Phoenix student-athlete who excels both academically and athletically.
The award is named in honor of Lindsey Donnell, a former Phoenix football Little All-American and Cumberland professor.
Konkel has put together one of the most decorated careers in Cumberland Volleyball history, anchoring the Phoenix front line throughout her time in Lebanon. A senior middle from DuBois, Illinois, she has been a four-year starter and a consistent cornerstone of the program's success.
Her standout career has been recognized with numerous accolades, highlighted by AVCA All-America Honorable Mention honors in 2024. She was a four-time First Team All-Mid-South Conference selection and earned AVCA All-Region recognition in all four seasons. Konkel made an immediate impact as a freshman, earning Mid-South Conference Freshman of the Year honors in 2022, and added four MSC Defender of the Week selections during her career.
Over four seasons, Konkel totaled 1,219 kills while hitting an impressive .354, consistently ranking among the most efficient attackers in the conference and nationally. She averaged 2.29 kills per set and recorded 1,583.5 career points, including a career-best 467.0 points during her junior campaign.
Defensively, Konkel was just as dominant, finishing with 534 total blocks, including 135 solo blocks and 399 block assists, averaging 1.00 blocks per set for her career. Her presence at the net on both sides made her one of the most reliable and impactful players in program history.
Off the court, Konkel exemplifies what it means to be a Cumberland student-athlete. A team-first leader, she leads by example through her work ethic and character, earning a spot on the 2025 Mid-South Conference Women's Volleyball Champions of Character Team.
In the classroom, Konkel has also excelled, earning Mid-South Conference Academic All-Conference honors and NAIA Scholar-Athlete recognition in each of the past three seasons. She graduated with her undergraduate degree in Exercise and Sport Science and is set to complete her Master of Science in Athletic Training.
Donnell set a national collegiate football record in 1936 with 1,500 rushing yards, a mark that stood until the 1960s. He graduated from Cumberland in 1936 and later returned to teach English from 1960-62. Cumberland's former football stadium, now home to soccer, is named in his honor.
Lindsey Donnell Award Recipients
1982 - John Britt
1983 - Doug Taulbue
1984 - Stephanie Nicole Neal
1985 - John Hunn
1986 - John Hunn/Stephanie Nicole Neal
1987 - John Hunn
1988 - Jon Franklin
1989 - John White
1990 - Beverly Burton
1991 - Rebecca King
1992 - Diane Petzoldt
1993 - Ginger Carrigan/Lorie Hammock
1994 - Pat McEnroe
1995 - Jenny Rippetoe
1996 - Dana Leath
1997 - Jill Taylor Simmons
1998 - Tara Daniel
1999 - Joseph Atwood
2000 - Rita Maynard
2001 - Alice King
2002 - Carissa Chitwood
2003 - Michael Navratil
2004 - Amy Biddle
2005 - Jennifer Griffey Hayes
2006 - Jennifer Griffey Hayes
2007 - Kurt Braundmeier
2008 - Josh Beasley
2009 - Matt Eads
2010 - Susan Simpson
2011 - Josh Smith
2012 - Ben Miller
2013 - Allison Blackwood
2014 - Zeke Hunt
2015 - Keaton Gaffney
2016 - Chelsey Hall
2017 - Nathan Jernigan
2018 - Kaitlen Kisiloski
2019 - Ashley Kambeitz
2020 - Stefanie Navaratnam
2021 - Sarah Haddock
2022 - Tyler Watson
2023 - Isaac Stephens
2024 - Nathalie Nutu
2025 - Daniel Wessels
