Shelbi Holloman has been a proven scorer for the Roanoke College field hockey team throughout her college career.

But in 2015, the former Nansemond River High School standout had a broader impact on the Maroon offense, helping propel her team to its best season in over a decade while drawing even more individual accolades than in years past, including All-Old Dominion Athletic Conference honors.

“She became an overall playmaker in the front field,” Roanoke College coach Briana Banks said. “She saw the big picture and the possibilities that could be, and she was reaching for it.”

“If you look at my stats from last year, I had 14 goals and no assists, and then this year, I had 15 goals and seven assists, so I feel like I was a better distributor on the team this year, with making other opportunities for my teammates,” Holloman said.

“But overall, I feel like I grew as a player. I was definitely a leader on the field, talking to the underclassmen, especially the freshmen who were starters, telling them where to go, making them feel comfortable.”

Banks noted she had challenged Holloman after her sophomore season to be more of a leader, and Holloman came through.

Her play helped the Maroons go 11-7 for the 2015 season, their first double-digit win total since 2004. They also earned their first berth in the postseason tournament since 2005.

For her efforts, Holloman received an All-Old Dominion Athletic Conference honor for the third year straight, making the first team for the second consecutive year.

She led the conference in shots and shots per game with 116 and 6.44, respectively, tying for second in goals scored and handing out the fourth-highest number of assists.

Holloman was also named to the All-South Region second team by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association, becoming the first Maroon to be selected by the NFHCA since 2003.

She said Banks, who had been hinting to her that she might break the drought, called her and shared the news.

“I almost started crying, because it was something I had worked for, and I was setting goals and stuff to try and get it because I really want to be an All-American my senior year,” Holloman said. “It’s just an honor to put Roanoke’s name out there. Twelve years is a long (drought), and for finally getting it, it was just an honor to get it.”

Most recently, Holloman was named to the 2015 Virginia Sports Information Directors all-state first team.

“That’s unbelievable,” Holloman said. “I am so thrilled to receive that, but that’s probably the one that’s the most honoring right now, because not only is the region seeing my great talent on the field, but the whole state of Virginia is seeing it.”

Nansemond River coach Ali Mowry said, “I definitely think it’s well-deserved honors. I think she’s a really hard worker.”

Holloman also pointed to supportive teammates and team chemistry for helping make her big junior year possible.