AUGUSTA, Ga. – The Peach Belt Conference announced the 2017 volleyball All-Academic team from the league office in Augusta, Ga., on Wednesday afternoon and Augusta University is represented by three student athletes. Junior Savanna Gonzales and sophomores Jessica Hedrick and Payton Murchie made the list for academic excellence.
The team is part of a season-long program recognizing the outstanding accomplishments of PBC student-athletes in the classroom as well as on the field. A total of 46 student-athletes were named to the 2016 All-Academic squad.
Savanna Gonzales (Kennesaw, Ga.) made the All-Academic team for the second year in a row, while Jessica Hedrick and Payton Murchie received the award in their first year of eligibility.
Gonzales is ranked second in the PBC in kills and is fourth in points. Hedrick sits fourth in blocks and sixth in hitting percentage and Murchie has the fourth-most assists.
To be eligible for the All-Academic team, a student-athlete must 1) participate in at least half of his/her team's events and be either a starter or significant contributor; 2) achieved a 3.30 cumulative grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) and 3) completed at least one full academic year at his or her current institution and has reached sophomore athletic eligibility. The Peach Belt Conference Sports Information Directors oversee the program.
Founded in 1991, the Peach Belt Conference is home to 34 NCAA Division II National Championships. 12 member institutions in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida compete in 15 championship sports. 2016-17 members are Augusta University, Clayton State University, Columbus State University, Flagler College, Francis Marion University, Georgia College, Georgia Southwestern State University, Lander University, University of North Carolina at Pembroke, University of North Georgia, University of South Carolina Aiken and Young Harris College.
2017 Volleyball All-Academic Team
|
Player |
School |
Year |
Hometown |
GPA |
Major (Minor) |
|
Kayla Brockway |
Georgia College |
Jr. |
Jacksonville, Fla. |
3.57 |
Athletic Training |
|
Christine Carroll |
USC Aiken |
So. |
Cincinnati, Ohio |
3.767 |
Nursing |
|
Emily Crowell |
Georgia College |
So. |
Horseheads, N.Y. |
3.58 |
Exercise Science |
|
Chandler Ewaldsen |
Georgia College |
Sr. |
Savannah, Ga. |
3.37 |
Biology |
|
Julia Forster |
USC Aiken |
Sr. |
Long Island, N.Y. |
3.452 |
Nursing |
|
Georgia Garrison |
Francis Marion |
Jr. |
Trinity, N.C. |
4.00 |
Biology |
|
Savannah Gonzales |
Augusta |
Jr. |
Kennesaw, Ga. |
3.74 |
Marketing |
|
Augusta |
So. |
St. Louis, Mo. |
3.91 |
Pre-Nursing |
|
|
Anna Heinz |
UNC Pembroke |
So. |
Salemburg, N.C. |
3.518 |
Science Education |
|
Alicia Hines |
USC Aiken |
Sr. |
Roswell, Ga. |
3.829 |
Sociology |
|
Lauren Howard |
USC Aiken |
Sr. |
Aiken, S.C. |
3.83 |
Business Administration |
|
Reilly Kuenstler |
Lander |
So. |
Bellville, Texas |
3.55 |
Education |
|
Carrie McGinnis |
Francis Marion |
Jr. |
Knoxville, Tenn. |
3.35 |
Biology |
|
Augusta |
So. |
Trinity, Fla. |
3.54 |
Pre-Nursing |
|
|
Kayla Norelli |
Flagler |
So. |
Lake Mary, Fla. |
3.68 |
Elementary Education |
|
Rachel Porada |
Flagler |
So. |
Dearborn, Mich. |
3.71 |
History |
|
Rara Savisky |
Flagler |
Jr. |
Oakdale, Pa. |
3.843 |
Elementary Education |
|
Taylor Svehla |
Georgia College |
Jr. |
Cumming, Ga. |
3.73 |
Mathematics |
|
Emily Teelon |
USC Aiken |
Sr. |
Aiken, S.C. |
3.549 |
Nursing |
|
Reyonia Whipple |
Lander |
Sr. |
Brunswick, Ga. |
3.60 |
Mass Communication |
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