College Volleyball Players Named to ESPN All Academic Team
Bignell And Hornbaker Named To Academic All-District First Team
BUFFALO, NY – The University at Buffalo volleyball team has placed seniors Kristin Bignell and Marisa Hornbaker on the ESPN Academic All-District First Team. The awards, sponsored by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA), were announced on Thursday.
Bignell, who has a 3.90 GPA in exercise science, leads the Bulls defensively with 95 blocks, including 17 solos. Bignell is also one of four players on the team with over 200 kills as she has 201 on the season. Bignell was named the MAC East Defensive Player of the Week earlier this season as she had a 13-block performance against St. John’s including 11 block assists. She has seven double-digit kill performances on the year, including a career-high 19 kills against Kent State.
Hornbaker, a toxicology and pharmacology major with a 3.95 GPA, picks up her second straight Academic All-District nod as she was named to the second team last season. Hornbaker currently has 169 kills on the season and 89 digs. She is also one of five players on the team with at least 20 service aces this year. Hornbaker had a season-high 19 kills against Bowling Green and has hit double figures in kills 10 times this season. She recorded double-doubles twice this year adding 10 digs in the match against the Falcons and a 10-kill, 10-dig performance against Ball State.
As first team selections, both Bignell and Hornbaker will now be added to the ballot for the Academic All-America team which will be announced on November 22.
The Bulls begin their final home weekend tomorrow as they host Ohio at 7:00 pm. Both Bignell and Hornbaker will be two of four senior honored on Saturday evening before UB’s match against Kent State at 5:00 pm.
Creighton Volleyball Quartet Earns Academic All-District Honors
OMAHA, Neb. -- Four members of the Creighton volleyball program have been
honored for their work on the court and in the classroom. Seniors Alicia
Runge and Allie Oelke joined sophomore Megan Bober as three of eight players
named to the ESPN/CoSIDA Academic All-District VII Second Team, while
sophomore Brooke Boggs was a third-team pick.
Creighton the only school in the nine-state district with at least three
honorees. District VII covers Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, Nebraska, Iowa,
Kansas, South Dakota, North Dakota and Missouri.
Runge, a senior outside hitter from Swea City, Iowa, owns a 3.80 GPA in
Organizational Communication. An MVC Scholar-Athlete Team honorble-mention
pick last year, Runge leads Creighton with 3.78 kills per set. She was named
All-Tournament at three non-conference events, and has led CU in kills in 16
of 23 matches to date.
Oelke owns a 3.79 GPA in Elementary Education and is a senior from
Chanhassen, Minn. She ranks second on the team with 2.48 kills and third
with 3.77 digs per set. She ranks in the top-10 in school history in kills,
digs, blocks, aces, double-doubles, matches started and matches played. She
was named MVC Scholar-Athlete of the Week on Sept. 22 and last season was a
first-team honoree on the MVC Scholar-Athlete First Team.
Hailing from Murdock, Neb., Bober owns a 3.77 GPA in Exercise Science. The
sophomore setter averages 9.98 assists, 1.53 kills, 1.94 digs and 0.94
blocks per set while hitting .265. She has been a two-time all-Tournament
selection this fall and ranks second among setters nationally in blocks per
set.
Boggs is a sophomore majoring in Health Care Administration who owns a 3.88
GPA. The defensive specialist ranks fourth on the team with 2.47 digs per
set and has started 15 matches. Boggs has also recorded 10 or more digs 13
times.
The quartet are Creighton's first Academic All-District picks since Abby
Baumann was a first-team selection in 2007. Emily Greisch remains the team's
lone Academic All-American, earning third-team accolades in 2006.
Second-place Creighton (15-8, 10-3 MVC) will play a pair of big matches on
the road this weekend, playing at third-place Wichita State on Friday at 7
pm and at fourth-place Missouri State on Saturday at 7 pm. Both matches can
be heard on KOIL (1180 AM).
ESPN CoSIDA Academic All-District VII First Team
JuliAnne Chisholm Kansas State Sr. Hillsboro, Kan. 3.79 Pre-Med
JennaRae Jester Wyoming Sr. Cheyenne, Wyo. 3.97 Business Administration
Beth Discher Northern Iowa Gr. Grimes, Iowa 3.91 Accounting
Caroline Kurtz Air Force Sr. Albuquerque, N.M. 3.86 Systems
Engineering/Human Systems
Jamie Straube Iowa State So. Tecumseh, Neb. 3.97 Kinesiology
Emily Heffernen Drake So. Manchester, Iowa 4.00 Biochemistry/Microbiology
ESPN CoSIDA Academic All-District VII Second Team
Dana Cranston Colorado State So. Fort St. John, B.C. 3.96 Business
Administration
Angela Bys Drake Sr. Marion, Iowa 3.75 Secondary Education
Megan Bober Creighton So. Murdock, Neb. 3.77 Exercise Science
Paige Dossey Southeast Missouri State Jr. Avon, Ind. 4.00 Special Education
Nichole Stilwell Air Force Sr. Divide, Colo. 3.62 Mathematics
Alicia Runge Creighton Sr. Swea City, Iowa 3.80 Organizational Communication
Allie Oelke Creighton Sr. Chanhassen, Minn. 3.79 Elementary Education
Karina Garlington Kansas Sr. Denver, Colo. 3.77 Sports Management
ESPN CoSIDA Academic All-District VII Third Team
Cara Hackmann Missouri State Sr. Washington, Mo. 3.82 Finance
Brittany Quick Montana Jr. Richland, Wash. 3.93 Communication Studies
Lauren Matthewson Kansas State Sr. Kansas City, Mo. 3.84 Business
Administration
Brooke Boggs Creighton So. Wildwood, Mo. 3.88 Health Care Administration
Garlington Earns Second Academic All-District Award
LAWRENCE, Kan. – For the second time in her career, senior Karina Garlington has been named ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District, as announced by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) on Thursday.
Garlington, who was a third team honoree in 2008, was named to the second-team for maintaining a 3.77 cumulative grade point average during her collegiate career as a sports management major. This season, Garlington has been the Jayhawks’ most consistent offensive threat as she is sixth in the Big 12 Conference averaging 3.52 kills per set. She also ranks fourth all-time at Kansas in career kills, while her 3.16 kps career average ranks seventh.
ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District and All-America honorees are nominated, voted on and awarded by members of CoSIDA. Student-athletes must be a starter or important reserve with a 3.20 cumulative grade point average or better and must be at least a sophomore in academic standing.
Garlington and the Kansas volleyball team host Colorado on Saturday, Nov. 6 at 6:30 p.m. in the Horejsi Family Athletics Center.
Georgia State's Verdun Named Third Team CoSIDA/ESPN Academic All-District
ATLANTA -- Georgia State volleyball's Vineece Verdun has earned a spot on the CoSIDA/ESPN Academic All-District third team for her strong performance in the classroom as well as on the court as announced today by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).
Verdun, who sports a 3.78 grade point average in public policy, currently leads the CAA in kills (316), kills per set (3.36), points (397.5) and points per set (4.23), while placing third in hitting percentage (.311), fourth in total blocks (106) and fifth in blocks per set (1.13).
So far this season, the Bloomfield Hills, Mich., native has helped lead the Panthers to a 12-12 record including a 6-4 CAA mark. The six wins in conference play is the most for GSU since the 2007 season.
She has produced 16 double-digit kill performances this season, including a career-high 23 against Morehead State to open the season. Verdun has also earned two CAA Player of the Week awards this year.
In the classroom, Verdun earned President's List honors (4.0 GPA or higher) in the fall of 2009 and Dean's List accolades (3.50-3.99 GPA) in the spring of 2010 after transfering from Michigan State.
GSU hosts James Madison and George Mason this weekend in a crucial homestand that will have CAA Tournament implications.
Both matches are available via live stats at GeorgiaStateSports.com.
Straube Garners Academic Honor
AMES, Iowa – Iowa State middle blocker Jamie Straube was named a First-Team College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-District VII selection, the CoSIDA national office announced Thursday.
A sophomore from Tecumseh, Neb., Straube is hitting .321 this season, ranked sixth in the Big. She also ranks 10th in the conference in blocks per set with a team-high 1.12 average.
After starting 24 of 32 matches as a freshman in 2009, Straube has started all 22 matches this season for the No. 12 Cyclones (17-5, 10-4 Big 12), and posted single-match career-highs in kills (15), hitting percentage (.556) and digs (six).
Straube was a member of the Big 12 All-Freshman Team and two-time Big 12 Rookie of the Week in 2009; this is Straube’s first academic accolade.
A kinesiology major, Straube holds a 3.97 GPA.
The next match for Straube and the Cyclones is Saturday at 7:30 p.m. against the Missouri Tigers at Hilton Coliseum.
Sawatzky Tabbed Academic All-District 8 First Team
Corvallis, Ore. – Senior Jill Sawatzky (St. Andrews, Manitoba) was tabbed a CoSIDA/ESPN Academic All-District 8 First Team selection for volleyball, announced Thursday. Sawatzky is now eligible for Academic All-America consideration.
Sawatzky, a 6-2 outside hitter, is a two-time Pac-10 All-Academic First Team selection and 2010 Everyday Champion. The Business Administration with option in Marketing major has been named to the Dean’s List every term at Oregon State, while tallying perfect 4.0 GPAs in eight of her 11 terms attended.
One of this year’s team captains, she is currently fourth all-time for career kills (1,393), eighth for career kills per set (3.27), fourth for career attacks (4,009) and fourth for career points (1,591.5). Sawatzky has compiled her best season yet, posting better numbers in every category than any other season.
This is Sawatzky’s first CoSIDA/ESPN Academic All-District honor. She joins Gina Schmidt as the only other Oregon State volleyball player to be named to the first team, who was a two-time selection in 2000 and 2001, and Sawatzky is the first honoree since 2003.
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D’Errico Earns ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District Honors
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa., Nov. 4, 2010 – Penn State women’s volleyball senior libero Alyssa D’Errico (Byron, N.Y.) has been namedESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-District II, the College Sports Information Directors of America announced. She is one of eight student-athletes named to the second team in District II.
This is the first ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District honor of D’Errico’s career. D’Errico is also a two-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree.
D’Errico is currently pursuing an undergraduate degree in business marketing and holds a 3.31 grade point average. As the starting libero, D’Errico leads the Nittany Lions with 307 digs (3.99 digs per set) so far this season and recently eclipsed the 1,000 digs milestone for her career. She also leads the team with 38 service aces and her 0.49 aces per set currently ranks second in the Big Ten and 13th in the nation. Her 135 career service aces rank seventh all-time at Penn State. A member of three national championship squads, this year D’Errico’s consistent passing has guided the Nittany Lions to a conference-leading .306 hitting percentage, which also ranks fourth in the nation.
D’Errico is one of nine Big Ten student-athletes honored by CoSIDA and ESPN The Magazine. Purdue’s Kristen Arthurs and Illinois’ Johannah Bangert were named First Team All-District 5, while Northwestern’s Sabel Moffett, Wisconsin’s Janelle Gabrielsen and Minnesota’s Lauren Gibbemeyer were named to the second team. Ohio State’s Katie Dull and Anna Szerszen earned Second Team All-District 4 laurels and Michigan State’s Jenilee Rathje was selected to the third team, also for District 4.
To be nominated for ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District consideration, a student-athlete must be a starter or important reserve with at least a 3.30 cumulative gpa. The nominated athlete must have participated in at least 50 percent of the team’s games and must be of sophomore academic standing. All First Team Academic All-District honorees from each of the eight districts advance to the national ballot and are eligible for ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America honors.
The ninth-ranked Nittany Lions travel to Michigan on Friday, Nov. 5 for a 7 p.m. meeting with the Wolverines. The match will be tape-delayed and aired on ESPN2 on Sunday, Nov. 7 at 1 p.m. On Saturday, Nov. 6, Penn State takes on Michigan State at 6:30 p.m. in East Lansing, Mich.
* *
*CEDAR FALLS**, Iowa – *University of Northern Iowa senior Beth Discher has earned CoSIDA/ESPN Academic All-District VII First Team honors the organization announced Thursday.
Discher was named to the University Division District VII squad selected by members of the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). For being selected to the first-team, Discher will appear on the ballot for consideration for the honor of CoSIDA/ESPN Academic All-American.
Discher graduated with a 3.91 grade point average earning a degree in accounting and currently holds a perfect 4.0 GPA in graduate school. The Grimes, Iowa native was named a first team MVC Scholar-Athlete in 2009.
On the court this season, Discher is averaging 2.88 kills per set while hitting at a .261 efficiency. Discher posted a career-best 17 kills against Creighton (9/24/10) while recording double-digit kill numbers in 13 matches this season, including a current string of five straight double-digit kill matches.
District VII includes schools in the states of Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming, and the Canadian provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan. Selections are open to student-athletes who have reached sophomore academic standing and carry at least a 3.30 G.P.A. The University division includes all Division I schools.
The academic all-district team honors student-athletes who excel both on the playing field and in the classroom. The awards are sponsored by and voted on by the members of the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).
*District 7 Winners*
*University** Division*
*FIRST TEAM*
JuliAnne Chisholm Kansas State Sr. 3.97 - Pre-Med
JennaRae Jester Wyoming Sr. 3.97 - Business Administration
Beth Discher Northern Iowa Grad 3.91 - Accounting
Caroline Kurtz Air Force Sr. 3.86 - Systems Engineering/Human Systems
Jamie Straube Iowa State So. 3.97 - Kinesiology
Emily Heffernen Drake So. 4.00 - Biochemistry/Microbiology
*SECOND TEAM*
Dana Cranston Colorado State So. 3.96 - Business administration
Angela Bys Drake Sr. 3.75 - Secondary Education
Megan Bober Creighton So. 3.77 - Exercise Science
Paige Dossey Southeast Mo. State Jr. 4.0 - Special Education
Nichole Stilwell Air Force Sr. 3.62 - Mathematics
Alicia Runge Creighton Sr. 3.80 -Organizational Communication
Allie Oelke Creighton Sr. 3.79 - Elementary Education
Karina Garlington Kansas Sr. 3.77 - Sports Management
*THIRD TEAM*
Cara Hackmann Missouri State Sr. 3.82 - Finance
Brittany Quick Montana Jr. 3.93 - Communication studies
Lauren Mathewson Kansas State Sr. 3.84 - Business administration
Brooke Boggs Creighton So. 3.88 - Health Care Administration
Hoffman and McGlaughlin Named to ESPN/CoSIDA Academic All-District Team
Juniors become first Huskies to be selected to District 5 First Team
DeKALB, Ill. - Northern Illinois volleyball juniors Kristin Hoffman and Allison McGlaughlin were named to the ESPN/College Sports Information Directors of America Academic All-District 5 First Team, the organization announced Thursday.
The two accolades mark the first time that the program has had two Academic All-District honorees in the same season, let alone two first teamers. The Huskies are only one of five teams in the nation that can make that claim, and one of two in the Mid-American Conference, as Buffalo also accomplished the rare feat. The only other team in the MAC to be represented on the scholarly list was Western Michigan.
Among the District 5 distribution, which includes all Division I teams from Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Canadian provinces Ontario and Manitoba, NIU was the lone squad to have two first team representatives. Southern Illinois was the only other to have two total players chosen between the first and second teams.
The noteworthy occurrence fits right into the lengthy list of historical achievements that the 2010 season has brought to light under the guidance of ninth-year head coach Ray Gooden. The accomplishment exemplifies that the success is not just coming on the court, but in the classroom as well, as the volleyball team continues to be the top academic program at NIU.
“I’m pretty confident in saying that the honor Allison and Kristin received today is one of the highest you can receive as a collegiate student-athlete. And for that, we are very proud of their accomplishments,” said Gooden of just the third and fourth Huskies to garner the award, all under his tenure. “As a program, we strive for our own ‘Triple Crown’ of sorts: champions in the classroom, on the court and in the community. This recognition is reflective of two of the three.”
Hoffman, a history major, sports a near-perfect 3.95 grade point average and has been an NIU Victory Scholar (3.5 GPA or better) in every semester as a Huskie. As the setter, the Batavia High School (Ill.) product currently ranks second in the league and 19th in the nation in assists (11.31/set). Hoffman also ranks second on the team with 24 aces. In each of her last 10 matches, the 2009 Academic All-MAC selection has dished out at least 30 assists.
With the same GPA as her classmate, McGlaughlin has also been a Victory Scholar each semester. The 2009 Academic All-MAC choice is an elementary education major and is only the second in program history to be named to the MAC All-Freshman Team and All-MAC Second Team in each of her first two seasons. The Morton, Ill. (Morton H.S.) native ranks second on the Huskies in points (3.11/set), kills (2.77/set) and digs (2.60/set). The 16th member of the 1,000-kill club at NIU has put down 10-plus kills in eight of her last 10 matches.
Hoffman, McGlaughlin and the MAC West Division second place Huskies (23-4, 9-3 MAC) return to action tonight at 6 p.m. (CT) to wrap up a season-long, five-game road trip against MAC West third place Western Michigan (18-8, 8-4 MAC).
-NIU-
Armes, Rapp Named Academic All-District
Rapp is a two-time honoree, Armes earns first career honor
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Two University of Kentucky volleyball players were tabbed to ESPN The Magazine CoSida’s Academic All-District team it was announced Thursday. Senior Lauren Rapp and junior Ann Armes represented the Wildcats on the District Four teams.
Rapp was named second-team All-District for the second consecutive season, while Armes was tabbed to the third team and it marked the first such honor of her career. It is the third consecutive season that at least two UK players have been named to the prestigious teams that honor student-athlete’s outstanding performances in the classroom.
Athletes must be at least a sophomore in academic standing and maintain a cumulative grade point average above 3.00 to earn distinction to the list.
An Indianapolis native, Rapp is an elementary education major who maintains a 3.84 grade point average. On the court, UK’s senior has appeared in all 92 sets of action this season. She averages 2.64 kills per set and a team-best 1.02 blocks per frame. Rapp became the 14th member in UK history to amass 1,000 career kills this season and she now ranks 10th all-time in that category. She is a mere block assist away from becoming just the second player in school allure to tally 400 career block assists ranking as the second-best total in school history.
Armes is a native of Grand Island, Neb., and possesses a 3.57 grade point average in the area of dietetics. UK’s junior outside hitter is having the most outstanding season of her career. Armes averages 1.94 kills per set and 1.65 digs per frame. She charted her first career double-double effort in a September victory over South Carolina. Armes also notched a career-best 16 kills against then-ranked No. 3 Florida.
The duo will lead the Wildcats (13-11, 7-7) to a pair of road contests this weekend at Mississippi State and Alabama as UK is on a quest to clinch its sixth consecutive appearance in the NCAA Tournament. Sunday’s match against Alabama will air live on Fox Sports South.
Follow along all season long with the Wildcats at UKathletics.com.
Dunworth & Gray Tabbed Academic All-District III
November 4, 2010
DURHAM, N.C. – Duke junior Sophia Dunworth was named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District III Volleyball first team and sophomore teammate Christiana Gray earned a spot on the third team, the Collegiate Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) announced on Thursday.
Dunworth, a 6-1 outside hitter, appeared on the Academic All-District III squad for the second straight year while Gray, a 6-5 middle blocker, earned her first career citation. Both of those Blue Devils have maintained grade point averages over 3.60 while helping the first-place Blue Devils to a 19-4 overall record and an 11-2 mark in the ACC.
Duke has now placed at least two student-athletes on the Academic All-District III team for five consecutive years and at least one student-athlete on the Academic All-America Team for four straight seasons.
Dunworth, who owns a 3.88 GPA as a Biology major, is Duke’s most heavily used attacker and leads the team with 698 attacks. She has converted 244 of those into kills while averaging 2.98 kills per game. With 834 kills in her first three seasons, Dunworth ranks 24th all-time at Duke in the category and is on the verge of becoming the 20th Blue Devil in school history to surpass 1,000 career kills.
Gray, who boasts a 3.64 GPA, has been Duke’s most efficient attacker and leads the ACC with a .412 hitting percentage. With 190 kills and only 47 attack errors, Gray is the only player in the ACC hitting over .400 and ranks ninth nationally in the category. Gray, who has hit .400 or better in seven straight matches, is also one of Duke’s top blockers with 75 stops on the year.
Dunworth, Gray and the Blue Devils will continue their quest toward an ACC Championship this Friday and Saturday, Nov. 5-6, when they face N.C. State and North Carolina on the road.
Wilson Named to ESPN Academic All-District First Team
Senior honored for academics for the third consecutive year
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Senior volleyball player Taylor Wilson has been named to the ESPN Academic All-District First Team, announced today by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).
An interior design major, Wilson garners first-team honors for the first time in her successful four-year career. The studious defensive specialist was one of six volleyball players honored in the District III segment of the University Division, with eight separate districts honoring first, second and third-team members overall.
Wilson was named to the CoSIDA/ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District Team as a sophomore in 2008, and earned ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District Second Team honors during her junior campaign in 2009.
Wilson, who shows 301 digs in 250 sets played for her career, is also a three-time Golden Torch Award recipient, which is given to the student-athlete in each respective sport with the top grade point average. Through the fall semester, Wilson shows a 3.95 cumulative GPA in one of FSU’s most competitive major programs.
The Clearwater, Fla., native is also a two-time Atlantic Coast Conference Academic Honor Roll member, and currently is a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. Adding to her list of impressive academic credentials is attaining Dean’s List honors four times while also making the President’s List for a semester.
Wilson’s inclusion on the ESPN Academic All-District First Team makes her eligible for the Academic All-America® ballot. She will attempt to become the second Academic All-American in FSU volleyball history, as former player Sherry Cowling was nationally honored in 1992.
The Academic All-America Team will be chosen by a national committee and is scheduled to be announced on Monday, Nov. 22.
Graham Named ESPN Academic All-District First Team Again
Senior becomes first-ever three-time winner at RMU in any sport
Moon Township, Pa. - November 4, 2010 – Senior captain Amanda Graham (Melbourne, Fla. / Eau Gallie) of the Robert Morris University volleyball team was named ESPN Academic All-District First Team for the second consecutive season Thursday in an announcement by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).
With the award, Graham becomes the first-ever student-athlete from any Robert Morris sport to earn academic all-district honors three times in her career. Graham captured academic all-district second team honors in her sophomore season in 2008 before garnering first-team recognition a season ago.
With her selection to the first team, Graham moves onto the ballot for Academic All-America consideration.
“This is a very distinguished award because it awards not only athletics, but also the job a student-athlete does in the classroom, which is often overlooked,” head volleyball coach Dale Starr said. “The GPA she has is even more impressive considering her degree plan and the number of hours she has to put in on the court, in the classroom and with her clinicals. I feel very fortunate to have coached her for her senior season.”
This recognition for Graham’s academic and athletic prowess is just the latest for the veteran middle blocker. Graham was named one of 30 semifinalists for the inaugural Lowe’s Senior CLASS Volleyball Award prior to the 2010 season and also received the Northeast Conference’s (NEC) Scholar-Athlete of the Year award for volleyball at the conclusion of the 2009 season.
The nuclear medicine technology major carries a 3.98 cumulative grade-point average. She has made the dean’s list every semester she has attended RMU and has been named to the NEC’s Academic Honor Roll in all three of her years.
Graham is in the midst of another impressive statistical season for the Colonials. She has team-leading totals of 255 kills and 29 service aces and has hit at a .318 clip over 29 matches. She already broke her own single-season block assist record, totaling 101 thus far, and her current total block sum (121) is third in single-season school history in addition to being a career high. Graham was named to two all-tournament teams and has twice been recognized as NEC Co-Player of the Week. She is averaging 1.15 blocks per game, a career high, and is on the verge of recording 100 digs in a season for the first time in her career.
Graham’s 2010 season will cap off the consistent remarkable play throughout her career that has ensured she will leave her name in the RMU record book for years to come. She is a three-time All-NEC honoree, including two first team selections. She has surpassed numerous milestones this season while moving up in the Colonial record book in a litany of categories. Graham has shattered the career block assist record along with topping both 1,000 kills and 400 blocks for her career this season. She currently ranks among the top 10 all-time at RMU in the following categories: first in block assists (334), second in attack percentage (.328), third in total blocks (408), fifth in aces (129) and sixth in kills (1,050).
The RMU volleyball program has had six student-athletes, including Graham, named academic all-district, the third highest total for any sport at Robert Morris.
To be named academic all-district, a student-athlete must be a starter or important reserve with at least a 3.30 cumulative GPA (on a 4.0 scale) at his or her current institution. Additionally, student-athletes are not eligible until they have completed one full calendar year at their current institution and have reached sophomore athletic eligibility.
Graham and the rest of her Colonial teammates are currently on a six-match NEC winning streak and sit in second place in the league with a 10-2 record. Robert Morris will have a challenge in trying to extend that run this weekend as RMU faces conference-unbeaten Sacred Heart. The Colonials will welcome the Pioneers, who are presently riding a 20-match winning streak, to the Charles L. Sewall Center Saturday, Nov. 6. First serve is set for 3:00 p.m.
August Named Second Team Academic All-District
Hempstead, NY - Hofstra University senior setter Rachel August was named to the Academic All-District 1 second team by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA), it was announced today.
August, a native of LaGrange Park, Illinois, carries a 3.75 grade point average with a dual major in English and English education.
Now in her first full season as the starting setter for the Pride, August leads Hofstra with 1,106 assists for an average of 9.53 per set. Her assists per set total ranks fourth in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA), and August is third on the Pride with 212 digs and fourth with 48 blocks.
Hofstra (10-21, 2-9 CAA) returns to the court this Saturday when its travel to Northeastern for a 7 p.m. match.
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District 1 Winners |
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University Division |
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FIRST TEAM |
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ALL POSITIONS |
Allie Burke |
MARIST COLLEGE |
I |
Sr. |
Alpharetta, Ga. |
3.93 |
Business Admin. & Sports Comm. |
|
ALL POSITIONS |
Marisa Hornbaker |
BUFFALO, UNIVERSITY AT |
I |
Sr. |
Colorado Springs, CO |
3.95 |
Pharmacology & Toxicology |
|
ALL POSITIONS |
Hayley Todd |
SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY |
I |
Sr. |
Whitby, Ontario |
3.8 |
Health and exercise science |
|
ALL POSITIONS |
Allison Nieters |
IONA COLLEGE |
I |
Sr. |
St. Charles, Mo. |
3.66 |
Mass communications |
|
ALL POSITIONS |
Kristin Bignell |
BUFFALO, UNIVERSITY AT |
I |
Sr. |
Drayton, Ontario |
3.90 |
Exercise Science |
|
ALL POSITIONS |
Laura Homann |
SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY |
I |
So. |
St. Charles, Ill. |
3.67 |
Civil Engineering |
|
ALL POSITIONS |
Noemie Lefebvre |
SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY |
I |
Jr. |
Terrebonne, Quebec, Canada |
3.7 |
Finance Marketing Management |
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|
|
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ALL POSITIONS |
Christine Wu |
HARVARD UNIVERSITY |
I |
Jr. |
Naperville, Ill. |
3.54 |
Human evolutionary biology |
|
ALL POSITIONS |
Brianna Williamson |
BROWN UNIVERSITY |
I |
Sr. |
Cincinnati, Ohio |
3.93 |
Development studies |
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ALL POSITIONS |
HOFSTRA UNIVERSITY |
I |
Sr. |
LaGrange Park, IL |
3.75 |
Double major in English & English Education |
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ALL POSITIONS |
Lauren Balmert |
FAIRFIELD UNIVERSITY |
I |
Jr. |
Cranberry Township, Pa. |
3.83 |
Economics |
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ALL POSITIONS |
Gabriela Petkova |
ST. JOHN'S UNIVERSITY (NY) |
I |
So. |
Sofia, Bulgaria |
3.97 |
Undecided |
SMITH NAMED TO ESPN ACADEMIC ALL-DISTRICT TEAM
CONWAY, Ark. - University of Central Arkansas volleyball player Chloe Smith was named to the ESPN/College Sports Information Directors Academic All-District Second Team on Thursday. The senior right side hitter from San Diego was one of four Southland Conference student-athletes named to the three teams from the district area of Louisiana, Arkansas, Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma.
Smith, who was a second team Academic All-America selection last season, has compiled a 3.92 grade point average in Digital Filmmaking in her four years. She also is UCA's career leader in kills with 1,583 and kills per set a 3.75. Smith is the reigning two-time Southland Conference Player and Student-Athlete of the Yea.
Smith and the Sugar Bears will host Lamar on Thursday night at 7 p.m. and McNeese State on Saturday at 1 p.m.
FOWLER TABBED TO ACADEMIC ALL-DISTRICT IV FIRST TEAM FOR THIRD STRAIGHT SEASON
The Dallas, Texas, Native Will Move on to National Ballot for All-America Consideration
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – For the third straight season, University of Tennessee senior right side hitter Nikki Fowler has been named to the ESPN Academic All-District IV First Team, as announced by the College Sports Information Directors of America on Thursday.
The Dallas, Texas, native will move on to the national ballot where she attempt to become the program's second academic All-American in five years. A marketing major with a collateral in international business, Fowler currently holds a sparkling cumulative GPA of 3.80 and is the first Lady Vol volleyball player to ever earn academic all-district honors three times in her career.
The award gives the Lady Vols six players in as many seasons that have earned academic all-district honors. Fowler first accomplished the feat in 2008, just a year after Jena Berg earned second-team laurels. In 2006, Kelsey Fautsch claimed a spot on the first team en route to third-team All-America honors, while Kristen Andre was named to the second team in 2005.
Since arriving at Rocky Top four seasons ago, Fowler has launched an all-out assault on the Tennessee record book, taking over the top spot in total attacks (4,210) as well as moving into second place in attacks per set (9.66), fourth place in both total kills (1,567) and kills per set (3.59) and seventh place in both digs (1,208) and digs per set (2.77). The two-time AVCA Honorable Mention All-American is also just nine blocks (327) away from breaking into the top-10 in that category as well.
In 2010, Fowler leads the Lady Vols with 311 kills, 3.70 kills per set, 722 total attacks, 348.5 points and 4.15 points per set and is hitting at a career-best .327 clip. Through the first 24 matches this season, the two-time All-SEC First Team member has paced the Big Orange in kills 16 times, digs eight times and blocks twice. She is also one of the best defensive players on the squad, ranking second with 251 digs and 2.99 digs per set. The 6-2 senior has a team-high 12 double-doubles as well, increasing her career total to 50.
Fowler and the Tennessee volleyball team will take their four-match winning streak on the road this weekend to face Alabama and Mississippi State. The Lady Vols will square off against the Crimson Tide at 7 p.m. CT in Tuscaloosa on Friday, Nov. 5, before making the trek to Starkville for a 1:30 p.m. CT contest against the Bulldogs two days later.
For the most up-to-date information on the Lady Vol volleyball team, make sure you follow @UTLadyVols and @UTVolleyball on Twitter.
##LADY VOL VOLLEYBALL##
TEMPE, Ariz. - In her first career academic honor, junior transfer setter, Cat Highmark has been awarded for her success outside of the court and in the classroom, with her selection to the 2010 CoSIDA/ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District Third Team.
The Scottsdale, Arizona native and 2008 transfer from Long Beach State leads the Sun Devils with her current 890 assists, 23 kills, 15 service aces and 187 digs on the season also boasts a 3.90 GPA in Interdisciplinary Studies.
Highmark is also up for Pac-10 All-Academic Team honors, which will be released later this month.
Sophomore Andrea Beck Named to ESPN Academic All-District Team
Beck earns First Team honors and will be eligible for Academic All-America accolades
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Wake Forest sophomore volleyball player Andrea Beck was named First Team ESPN Academic All District on Thursday as voted on by the College Sports Information Directors of America.
This is the first time that Beck has received the award, as this year is also the first season in which she has been eligible for nomination. In order to be eligible, a student-athlete must have participated in at least 50 percent of her team’s games, be of at least sophomore standing academically and have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.3.
A two-year starting middle hitter for the Demon Deacons, Beck has earned other academic awards already. As a freshman, she was named to both the ACC Volleyball All-Academic Team and the ACC Honor Roll.
Beck has also enjoyed her share of success on the court this year. The Winston-Salem native was named to the Deacon Invitational All-Tournament Team in the team’s first weekend of the year. She also was named ACC Player of the Week on September 27 after helping lead the Demon Deacons to road victories over Clemson and Georgia Tech.
Beck has achieved these awards all while maintaining a 3.97 GPA as a biology major at Wake Forest. With the First Team Academic All-District selection, Beck will now be considered for Academic All-America honors.
CSU’s Cranston earns academic honor
Sophomore selected to CoSIDA/ESPN academic all-district team
2010 academic all-district volleyball team
By Kaitlyn Comiskey
Athletic Media Relations
FORT COLLINS, Colo. – Sophomore Dana Cranston has been recognized for her tremendous effort in the classroom, as she was selected to the second-team CoSIDA/ESPN academic all-district team for District 7. The announcement was made Wednesday.
A business administration major from Fort St. John, British Columbia, Cranston currently holds a near-perfect 3.96 grade-point average. On the court she plays right side hitter for the Rams. Cranston has played in in each of the Rams’ matches, helping CSU to a 20-2 record and a No. 14 national ranking. She has played in 74 sets, tallying 41 kills, 35 assists, 17 service aces, 15 blocks and 143 digs.
In order for student-athletes to be eligible to receive the award, they must hold a sophomore standing, be a contributor to the team, and hold a GPA of 3.3 or higher.
Cranston was one of four Mountain West Conference student-athletes to be honored. Air Force’s Caroline Kurtz and Wyoming’s JennaRae Jester each earned first-team nods for District 7. Air Force’s Nichole Stilwell joined Cranston on the District 7 second team.
• Go Rams! •
Volleyball’s Johnson Nabs Academic All-District Honors
BATON ROUGE – LSU setter Brittney Johnson notched ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District Second-Team honors Thursday as voted upon by the College Sports Information Directors of America [CoSIDA]. It marks the fourth straight season that LSU has had at least one player secure a spot on the prestigious academic list.
Johnson, a two-time Jesse Owens Award recipient which is given to highest GPA for a LSU African-American student-athlete, has been a major part of LSU’s offensive success.
The Tigers (21-2, 12-2 SEC) not only rank among the SEC’s best but also inside the NCAA’s Top 20 in assists per set [13.36], kills per set [14.49] and hitting percentage [.276].
Individually, Johnson headlines the SEC and check in No. 40 nationally with 10.76 assists per set. She has fueled the LSU offense to over a .300 hitting clip on nine occasions, including a .352 ratio last time out against Alabama. The Baton Rouge native also has racked up a team-best nine double-doubles.
LSU concludes its three-match homestand next Sunday against Ole Miss. First serve is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. inside the Maravich Center. Fans who bring their football ticket from Saturday’s Alabama game will receive free admission.
Live video and live stats will be available on LSUsports.net in the Geaux Zone. Fans also can follow live in-match updates on the team's official blog at http://lsuvolleyball.posterous.com.
Below are the complete ESPN The Magazine District 6 All-Academic teams.
First Team
Name, School, GPA, Major
Caitlin Adair, SMU, 3.95, Psychology
Suzy Boulavsky, Oklahoma, 3.95, Journalism
Sabrina Burns, Stephen F. Austin, 4.0, Accounting
Tracey Lam, Rice, 3.75, Economics & Asian Studies
Lauren Sears, Southern Miss, 4.0, Mathematics
Kelly Williamson, New Mexico, 3.99, Conservation Biology
Kayla Woodard, Mississippi State, 4.0, Elementary Education
Second Team
Name, School, GPA, Major
Kelsey Brennan, New Mexico State, 3.52, Sports Medicine
Caroline Courtney, Texas Tech, 3.93, Journalism
Madison Hanlan, Stephen F. Austin, 4.0 Biology
Brittney Johnson, LSU, 3.65, Accounting
Chloe Smith, Central Arkansas, 3.92, Digital Filmmaking
Caitlyn Trice, Baylor, 3.89, Heath Science Studies & Pre-Physical Therapy
Third Team
Name, School, GPA, Major
Jennifer Doris, Texas, 3.47, Corporate Communications
Whitney Ellisor, McNeese State, 3.86, Mathematics
Caitlin Higgins, Oklahoma, 3.42, Multidisciplinary Studies
Elizabeth Graham, Baylor, 3.48, General Studies & Coaching
Jade Michaelsen, New Mexico, 3.77, Business Administration
Christine Bach Named to ESPN Academic All-District IV First Team
Bach hauls in academic accolades for third-straight year
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — For the third consecutive year, University of Memphis libero Christine Bach has been named an ESPN Academic All-District IV performer. Bach, who earned District IV First Team honors in 2008 and Second Team recognition in 2009, was tabbed a 2010 First Team member, as voted on by college and university Sports Information, Media Relations and Athletic Communications professionals who are members of College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).
The Dresden, Germany, native joins Heather Watts as the only two Tiger volleyball players to earn the academic honor three-straight years. Watts was a First Team honoree from 2002-04. Bach is the third Tiger to garner First Team recognition, joining Watts and current Memphis head coach April (Harriman) Jauregui, who nabbed First Team accolades in 2000.
Bach has put together an impressive resume both on and off the court in the career at Memphis. A three-time C-USA All-Academic honoree, Bach has made the transition back to the starting libero position after serving as the team’s setter in 2009. In that role she has shined, leading Memphis and ranking in the top-10 in C-USA with 356 digs and 3.82 digs per set. She is also ninth among league players in aces. Bach ranks second all-time at Memphis with 1,654 career digs. With eight matches remaining in the 2010 season, she trails the current program record by just 158 digs.
Off the court, Bach has been equally as successful. She graduated Summa Cum Laude with degree in international business in May, 2009 and currently maintains a 3.98 GPA in the MBA program at Memphis. Bach has been a Dean’s List student eight times, including each of the last seven semesters. She has made 4.0 five times.
As a First Team selection, Bach will now appear on the national ballot for Academic All-America honors.
The ESPN Academic All-District IV First Team is as follows:
|
FIRST TEAM |
Cl. |
Hometown |
GPA |
Major |
|||
|
Allyson Doyle |
WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY |
IV |
Sr. |
Battle Creek, Mich. |
4.00 |
Speech Pathology & Audiology |
|
|
Christine Bach |
MEMPHIS, UNIVERSITY OF |
IV |
Sr. |
Dresden, Germany |
3.96 |
MBA |
|
|
Holly Evans |
MOREHEAD STATE UNIVERSITY |
IV |
Sr. |
Blacklick, Ohio |
4.00 |
Health Promotions |
|
|
Nikki Fowler |
TENNESSEE, UNIVERSITY OF |
IV |
Sr. |
Dallas, Texas |
3.80 |
Marketing |
|
|
Courtney Barnes |
CHATTANOOGA |
IV |
Sr. |
Franklin, Tenn. |
3.91 |
Health & Human Performance |
|
|
Kirstie Brangers |
MOREHEAD STATE UNIVERSITY |
IV |
Sr. |
Louisville, Ky. |
3.87 |
Engineering |
|
***www.gotigersgo.com***
Texas Volleyball’s Doris earns ESPN Academic All-District honors
Senior middle blocker Jennifer Doris earns her third-straight ESPN Academic All-District award.
AUSTIN, Texas – The College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) have named Texas senior middle blocker Jennifer Doris to its 2010 ESPN Academic All-District volleyball team. Doris earned a place on the third team after garnering second-team lauds in 2008 and 2009.
A pillar in the Texas middle, Doris is enjoying a breakout season on the court, while carrying a 3.47 GPA in corporate communications. The Houston, Texas, native has started 18 matches and played in all 21, helping No. 8 Texas to a 16-5 start. She leads the Big 12 with a .484 attack mark in league play, while her .439 season hitting percentage ranks second in the conference.
She is averaging 0.86 blocks per-set and ranks second on the club in total blocks. Doris has helped Texas’ defense limit opponents to a .175 hitting percentage on the season.
To be nominated for all-district honors, a student-athlete must be a starter or important reserve with at least a 3.30 cumulative grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) at his/her current institution. Nominated athletes must have participated in at least 50 percent of the team’s games at the position listed on the nomination form.
Doris and the eighth-ranked Longhorns return to action on Saturday, Nov. 6 when they play host to Oklahoma. First serve is set for 4 p.m. Central and will be televised on KBVO in the Austin area.
Lloyd Receives CoSIDA/ESPN Academic All-District Honors
The senior setter is the first Cal player to earn all-district honors since Angie Pressey in 2007
BERKELEY – California volleyball senior setter Carli Lloyd was named to the CoSIDA/ESPN Academic All-District team on Thursday, Nov. 4. The fourth-year Golden Bear was selected to the District Eight third team and was joined in the district by nine other Pac-10 players. She is the first Cal player to be selected for academic all-district honors since outside hitter Angie Pressey in 2007.
The Bonsall, Calif., native holds a 3.54 grade-point average as a social welfare major and has written herself into the Cal volleyball history books with her consistent play. She is second on the all-time career assists ladder with 5,125, and ranks ninth in blocks with 345. Lloyd is also a finalist for the inaugural Lowes Senior CLASS Award.
No. 2-ranked Cal (20-1, 10-1 Pac-10) hosts No. 7 USC (19-3, 8-3) and No. 10 UCLA (17-5, 7-4) in matches at Haas Pavilion this weekend. The Bears take on the Women of Troy at 7 p.m. PT on Friday, Nov. 5, before they battle the Bruins on Saturday, Nov. 6, at 7 p.m. Please visit CalBears.com for more information.
Parker Named Academic All-District
Fort Wayne, IN - IPFW senior #Taryn Parker# has been named to the ESPN Academic All-District Second Team.
Parker, a middle blocker, has 175 kills on the season, third most on the team, while hitting .288, sixth highest in The Summit League. She is second on the team with 82 blocks, while her 387 career blocks puts her third on the career list at IPFW. She has led the team in blocks a dozen times, while twice leading the team in kills this season, and had a season-high 14 kills against Milwaukee on August 28.
To be eligible for nomination, a student-athlete must be a starter or important reserve, and have a grade point average of at least 3.30.
Parker has a 3.97 grade point average in graphic design at IPFW.
The Mastodons, currently a half-game out of first place in The Summit League standings with an 11-3 conference record and 17-9 overall, host Western Illinois on Friday night, and IUPUI on Saturday, with the weekend finale also marking senior day for IPFW's three seniors, Parker, #Maya Schlindwein#, and #Stephanie Lamberti#.
~Dons~
Volleyball’s Sears Earn Academic All-District Honors
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – The Southern Miss volleyball team picked up an academic honor as junior middle blocker Lauren Sears (Ashburn, Va.) was honored as a member of the ESPN Academic All-District® VI first team. This is her second consecutive year to earn first team honors.
Sears carries a perfect 4.0 grade point average in mathematics and will go on the national ballot for ESPN Academic All-America® consideration.
Sears is third on the team in kills, tied for first in total blocks and is second in attack percentage. She has registered 206 kills and a team-high 22 aces. Sears earned all-tournament honors in the Southern Miss LaQuinta Inn Invitational. She ranks in the top 20 in the league in hitting percentage.
