KANSAS CITY, Mo. - On Sunday night at the NAIA National Tournament Student-Athlete Experience Dinner, the NAIA announced its 2026 All-America teams. The Knights earned two All-America honors in the 2026 season, as Olivia Dean and Ella Grace Giedd went back-to-back as honorees. The duo earned their second career All-America awards, with Olivia Dean becoming Marian's first-ever First Team All-American. 

In total, 48 student-athletes are represented across 12 teams and four conferences.

The 2026 NAIA Women's Lacrosse Player of the Year is Kaylen Moore of Benedictine, while the NAIA Coach of the Year is the Benedictine head coach, Clare Hanson. 

Olivia Dean had a dominant season leading Marian's defensive effort, entering the NAIA Tournament as the nation's top player in caused turnovers. The 46 turnovers caused by Dean are a career-high and are tied for the most in the NAIA this season. The defensive force has recovered 39 ground balls, all while helping the Knights hold opponents to an average of 8.4 goals per game. Dean is Marian's first-ever First Team All-American, making the leap from her Third Team honor last season. The honor comes 12 days after Dean was named the WHAC Defensive Player of the Year. 

Ella Grace Giedd ends her career as a two-time NAIA All-America recipient, earning Second Team honors this season after being on the Third Team as a junior. Giedd leads the Knights in goals (35), assists (28) and points (63), ending her career as Marian's all-time leader in all three categories. Giedd most recently broke the career record for goals scored during the win over Bethel in the WHAC Semifinals. Giedd earned First Team WHAC Honors this season, nad is now the third player in program history to be a two-time NAIA All-America honoree, joining Dean and Kori Garland. 

The Patriots of Cumberlands (Ky.) posted the most All-Americans in 2026, having eight honorees, while seven Benedictine Ravens received honors across all three teams. Keiser (Fla.) and Ave Maria (Fla.) followed with six and five representatives, respectively. Then SCAD Savannah (Ga.) and Lawrence Tech (Mich.) student-athletes received four all-American nods.

Marian plays No. 3 SCAD-Savannah tomorrow night in the NAIA Tournament Quarterfinals. Game time is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Central in Decatur, Alabama. 

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