ST. LOUIS – Sara Rhine (Eldon, Mo.) of the Drake University women's basketball team is one of this week's featured student-athletes in the Missouri Valley Conference Scholar-Athlete Spotlight, presented by Enterprise Bank and Trust Company, the MVC announced Wednesday, Dec. 5. Rhine is joined by Marcus Bartley of the Southern Illinois University men's basketball team in being recognized by The Valley.
 
To qualify for the MVC Scholar-Athlete Spotlight, student-athletes must carry a cumulative grade-point average of 3.20, completed at least one academic year at a Valley institution and must be at least a sophomore in academic standing. Redshirt freshmen and first-year junior college transfers are not eligible. In addition to the academic qualifications, student-athletes are evaluated on their campus involvement and community service.
 
This season, Rhine leads the MVC in scoring at 18.2 points per game and shooting percentage at 57.0 and ranks fourth in rebounding at 8.1. She is the first Bulldog to win MVC Player of the Week three-straight times since former standout Lizzy Wendell accomplished the feat during the 2016-17 season. Rhine and Wendell (2015-16) are also the only players in MVC history to win the award each of the first three weeks of a season. Rhine has won six career player of the week awards, which already ranks tied for ninth all-time in league history. She is a two-time All-MVC selection, two-time MVC Sixth Player of the Year and was the 2016 MVC Freshman of the Year.
 
Rhine is an excellent student-athlete who owns a 4.00 cumulative grade point average in elementary education. Last season, she was the 2018 MVC Scholar-Athlete of the Year, a CoSIDA Academic All-America selection, MVC Elite 17 winner and MVC Scholar-Athlete First Team honoree. This is Rhine's seventh career MVC Scholar-Athlete of the Week award.
 
Rhine is a member of Salt, an on campus Christian ministry, and volunteers with several organizations, including Courage League Sports, Habitat for Humanity and Meals for the Heartland. Rhine and her teammates volunteer 1,000 or more community service hours each academic year.
 
Rhine and the Bulldogs play at South Dakota State Saturday at 2 p.m.