SAINT MARY-OF-THE-WOODS, Ind. – Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College junior outside hitter Karla Melendez added another milestone to a record-breaking season Thursday as the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) announced her selection as a 2025 NAIA Third Team All-American.

Melendez becomes the second female NAIA All-American in Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College history and the fourth NAIA All-American overall, further cementing her place among the most accomplished student-athletes the program has produced.

The All-America honor caps a historic year for Melendez, who was previously named Mid-South Region Player of the Year, earned NAIA All-Region First Team recognition, was selected River States Conference Player of the Year, and earned First Team All-RSC honors. She helped lead the Pomeroys to a 30–6 record, a No. 2 seed in the River States Conference Tournament, and an appearance in the RSC Semifinals.

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One of the NAIA's Most Complete Six-Rotation Players
Melendez delivered one of the most productive and well-rounded seasons in the NAIA during the 2025 campaign. Appearing in 31 matches and 102 sets, she finished the year with:

• 398 kills (3.90 per set)
• .280 hitting percentage
• 52 service aces
• 293 digs (2.87 per set)
• 44 total blocks
• 483.5 total points (4.74 per set)
• .961 reception percentage on 490 attempts

She recorded double-digit kills in 25 matches, highlighted by season highs of 24 kills against IU Southeast, 23 versus Shawnee State, and 17 in the RSC Quarterfinal victory over Shawnee State.

A four-time RSC Attacker of the Week, Melendez was a true six-rotation presence, excelling in serve-receive, back-row defense, and transition offense while anchoring one of the most balanced and efficient attacks in the conference.

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A Landmark Season for SMWC Volleyball
Melendez's All-America selection punctuates a breakthrough season for the Pomeroys, who finished with a .269 team hitting percentage while holding opponents to .128, establishing SMWC as one of the most statistically complete teams in the NAIA.

Her recognition also adds to a banner year for the program, which produced three NAIA All-Region honorees and five All-RSC selections, underscoring SMWC's continued rise on the national stage.