COLUMBIA, Mo. – Stephens College was well-represented at the 28th annual Women's Intersport Network (WIN) for Columbia Banquet, with volleyball standout Jatnna Peña-Perez and President Dr. Dianne Lynch earning nominations for their contributions to women's athletics. This marks the second consecutive year that Stephens has had a nominee and the first time the college has had two nominees in the same year.
Peña-Perez, a junior captain, made history as the first player in Stephens's volleyball history to be named the American Midwest Conference (AMC) Defender of the Year. She also earned AMC First Team All-Conference and NAIA AVCA All-Region honors while becoming the first Stars athlete to receive All-Regional recognition. Peña-Perez reached 1,000 career digs this season, ranking third in program history with 535 digs in 2024 and seventh all-time in aces (36). A three-time AMC Player of the Week, she played a key role in elevating Stephens volleyball to new heights.
"It was a good banquet in which Amber Cox inspired me that even through sports we have a lot of options in which we can work," Peña-Perez said. "We can see ourselves in many ways that we do not think about. I am beyond thankful to be nominated, and to have the opportunity to represent Stephens is amazing. I am proud that I had the chance to."
Dr. Lynch, nominated for the Mrs. Ann Walton Kroenke Leadership Award has been instrumental in shaping the trajectory of Stephens Athletics. Under her leadership, the Stars secured their first-ever AMC Regular Season Basketball Championship in 2024, earning a trip to the NAIA National Championship. The program also celebrated its first AMC Player of the Year and AMC Coach of the Year honors. In volleyball, the Stars made back-to-back AMC Final Four appearances and hosted an AMC first-round postseason match for the first time.
Beyond competition, Dr. Lynch spearheaded initiatives to enhance the student-athlete experience, including hiring full-time assistant coaches for all four core sports and securing upgrades to athletic facilities. She also played a key role in the first-ever televised basketball game from Silverthorne Arena, further amplifying the visibility of Stephens College Athletics.
The banquet featured guest speaker Amber Cox, the current chief operating officer and general manager of the Indiana Fever. Cox previously served two and a half successful seasons as the COO of the Dallas Wings, continuing her influential career in professional women's basketball. Her leadership in the WNBA and dedication to advancing opportunities for women in sports provided an inspiring message to all in attendance.
The WIN for Columbia Banquet continues to highlight women's achievements in sports, aligning with Stephens College's commitment to empowering female athletes and leaders.
