INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – A historic season for Quincy University women's lacrosse has reached another milestone, as Mikenna Ham has been named the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) Defensive Player of the Year, marking the first time in program history a Hawk has earned the conference's top defensive honor.

Ham becomes just the third major award winner in Quincy women's lacrosse history, joining Kathlete Kim (Coach of the Year, 2022) and Kelly McClure (Goalkeeper of the Year, 2024). Her recognition highlights not only an elite individual campaign but also the continued rise of the Hawks' program within the GLVC.

Ham dominated defensively throughout the 2026 season, appearing and starting in all 17 games. She led the conference in both ground balls and caused turnovers, totaling 50 ground balls (2.94 per game) and 47 caused turnovers (2.76 per game). In GLVC-only contests, Ham elevated her play even further, posting 24 ground balls (3.43 per game) and 19 caused turnovers (2.71 per game), both conference-best marks. She also contributed across the field, ranking eighth in the league in draw controls per game (3.35) while adding two goals on the season.

Her impact extended beyond individual numbers, as Ham helped anchor a Quincy defense that shattered program records. The Hawks set new single-season team marks with 172 caused turnovers, 10.12 caused turnovers per game, and 18.12 ground balls per game, establishing themselves as one of the most disruptive defensive units in the conference.

On a national level, Ham's production placed her among the elite in NCAA Division II, ranking 11th in the country in caused turnovers per game and eighth in total caused turnovers as of April 29.

Ham also etched her name throughout the Quincy record book this season, setting new single-season program records in total caused turnovers and caused turnovers per game. Her consistency and dominance have defined her career, as she now stands as the program's all-time leader with 104 career caused turnovers and a record 1.58 caused turnovers per game. She also ranks second in program history in both total ground balls (146) and ground balls per game (2.21), while sitting third in draw controls (182) and draw controls per game (2.78).

In just seven years of Quincy women's lacrosse, Ham has set the standard for defensive excellence. Her combination of instincts, toughness, and playmaking ability has not only rewritten the record books but has also helped shape the identity of the program moving forward.