CHANDLER, Ariz. - Simmons College field hockey players Jillian Mercer (Dartmouth, Mass.) and Julie Kellndorfer (Amherst, N.H.) were named 2014 Gladiator by SGI/National Field Hockey Coaches Association Division III Scholars of Distinction honorees, it was announced by the NFHCA today.

Student-athletes selected as Scholars of Distinction have achieved a cumulative grade point average of 3.90 or higher through the first semester of the 2014-15 academic year.

Mercer earns the accolade for the second straight year after earning a perfect 4.0 for the 2014 Fall semester. 

The pair were a big part of the Sharks being recognized for the 2014 Gladiator by SGI/National Field Hockey Coaches Association Collegiate National Academic Team Award for the 14th consecutive year after posting a team GPA of 3.33. 

Mercer started one of 11 matches that she appeared in this season as a forward, while collecting a career-high three assists. Kellndorfer saw action in six contests and attempted one shot from her spot on the defense.

Simmons finished the season with a 13-6 mark, while winning the Great Northeast Athletic Conference crown for the first conference championship in program history. The Sharks advanced to the NCAA Tournament, before bowing out in the first round with a 2-0 loss to host University of New England on November 12. Simmons boasted an All-Region honoree as well as the GNAC Coach of the Year, Rookie of the Year and five All-Conference First Team selections.