Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG, Va. – Virginia Tech volleyball placed three players on the academic All-ACC squad, which the conference announced on Friday. Senior Kristen Cunningham, junior Jill Gergen and freshman Erin Leaser all received the elite academic award.
Cunningham earned a spot on the team for the second time, after being named academic all-conference in 2007. The senior finished her career with 471 kills, 277 blocks and a .218 hitting percentage. The Fairfax Station, Va., native graduated in December with a degree in communication.
Gergen, a mathematics major, racked up 430 digs in 2008, the 10th-most for a Hokie in a single-season. The Topeka, Kan., native was named to the Hawthorn Suites Hokie Invitational and Arkansas Tournament all-tournament teams last season.
Virginia Sports Information Directors’ Rookie of the Year, Leaser tallied 1,083 assist on the season, ranking fifth all-time among Tech freshmen, and was named to the All-ACC Freshman Team. Leaser, currently enrolled in university studies, sparked an 11-match winning streak when she took over full-time setting duties against Western Kentucky on Sept. 6.
To be eligible for consideration, a student-athlete must have earned a 3.00 grade point average for the previous semester and maintained a 3.00 cumulative average during her academic career.
The 2008 All-ACC Academic Volleyball
Jordan Meredith, Boston College
Sophia Dunworth, Duke
Rachael Moss, Duke
Jourdan Norman, Duke
Claire Smalzer, Duke
Brianna Barry, Florida State
Ashlee Moon, Florida State
Jordana Price, Florida State
Lauren Richardson, Florida State
Jenna Romanelli, Florida State
Allison Niekamp, Georgia Tech
JoAnna Stawicka, Georgia Tech
Brittney Grove, Maryland
Bethany Springer, Maryland
Sharon Strizak, Marylan
Lane Carico, Miami
Kiwane Iboaya, NC State
Kelly Wood, NC State
Heather Brooks, North Carolina
Stephanie Jansma, North Carolina
Lauren Prussing, North Carolina
Marlow Bruneau, Virginia
Lauren Dickson, Virginia
Sydney Hill, Virginia
Brittani Rendina, Virginia
Kristen Cunningham, Virginia Tech
Jill Gergen, Virginia Tech
Erin Leaser, Virginia Tech
Natalie Mullikin, Wake Forest
Kristin White, Wake Forest