“What an honor,” Ayers said. “It's a testament of how well the team played this year. We don't have a superstar and that's what makes our team really special.”

Ayers became the 14th Tiger to be honored by the NSCAA, the first since Robyn Neigle, Karla Thompson and Cissy Wafford were recognized in 1990.

“We're delighted for Jessie,” head coach Geoff Bennett said. “It's a great individual honor, but she would be the first to say that it speaks volumes about how the entire team played this fall.”

One of only four underclassmen among the 32 players to earn a spot on the first or second teams, Ayers led the Tigers with seven goals was second with 18 points and tied for second with four assists – all career highs.

Ayers struck for the game-winning goal in Conference USA matches against Marshall and Southern Miss, and set up the deciding score in victories over Denver, Robert Morris and Tulsa.

The product of Seattle, Wash., also notched the game-tying goal against both Utah and SMU. CC was 3-0-3 when she scored a goal and 6-0-3 when she had a point.

Ayers, who was named C-USA Midfielder of the Year each of the last two seasons, is tied for No. 38 in program history with 27 points after only two campaigns.

“We're very pleased one of our players was recognized at the national level,” Bennett said. “We look forward to seeing what Jessie can do during the next two years.”

A first-team all-league selection in 2012, Ayers helped the Tigers post a 14-5-5 overall record, claim the program's first-ever Conference-USA regular-season crown and return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2006.

“We had a great season and did some really special things,” Ayers said. “But no one is satisfied. We all know we can go farther in the future.”