A Girls Preparatory School athlete is the first female from Chattanooga to be named Soccer All-American by the United Soccer Coaches, the school says.

On Sunday, GPS says senior and soccer forward Kennedy Ball was told that she had been selected to the 2022 Fall High School All-American Team.

This distinction, awarded by the United Soccer Coaches, is given to the best soccer players in the nation for the fall season.

In total, 143 High School All-Americans were selected (81 boys; 62 girls).

Founded in 1941, USC is the largest community for soccer coaches in the world.

Ball became a member of the GPS Varsity Soccer Team in eighth grade and has continued to put up significant statistics year after year, GPS says.

During the 2022 fall season, where she served as co-captain of the state championship-winning team, she scored 15 goals and had 15 assists.

As an All-American, Ball is invited to attend the All-American Ceremony and Reception in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in January, which honors All-America players at the youth, high school, and college levels and is held in conjunction with the annual United Soccer Coaches Convention.

“Kennedy Ball has been an integral part of our GPS soccer program for the last five years. Her vision and creativity on the soccer field is only matched by her determination and work ethic. I can’t help but think she is a fantastic person to be the first female soccer All-American in Chattanooga," says GPS Head Varsity Soccer Coach Patrick Winecoff.

Last month, Ball, who is also a co-president of Health Club and member of the GPS Track and Field team, participated in the Fall National Signing Day, cementing her commitment to continue her soccer career at the University of Arkansas.

Weeks later, she was also elected May Queen following an all-school vote after receiving a nomination from her classmates.