Storm volleyball recognized for academic excellence
LEXINGTON, Ky. – For the third time in as many years, the Simpson volleyball team earned the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Team Academic Award.
Under head coach Lana Smith, the Storm posted a cumulative team grade-point average of 3.446 during the 2010-11 academic year, surpassing the 3.30 requirement. Simpson has earned the award in each of the past three seasons, adding honors in 2003-04 and 2005-06 for five total appearances on the AVCA's highest team academic honor.
The AVCA honored a record 481 total schools in 2010-11, up from the then-record 450 schools a year ago. Fellow Iowa Conference schools Central, Coe, Dubuque and Wartburg joined Simpson on the list of 88 Division III schools selected.
Thirteen of the nineteen players on Simpson's roster achieved a cumulative GPA over 3.3 and another nine were above 3.5. Freshman Kim Rogers (Omaha, Neb.) led the team with a 3.884 GPA during the academic year, while three players earned Academic All-Conference honors: Carissa Coopman (Davenport, Iowa), Monica Driscoll (Williamsburg, Iowa) and Jaclyn Westphal (Fontanelle, Iowa).
Simpson went 17-17 in 2010, going 5-3 in the Iowa Conference to finish fourth. The Storm and returning first team all-conference honoree Megan Dunlavy (Bettendorf, Iowa) open the 2011 campaign in Pamona, Calif. at the Pacific Coast Classic on Sept. 2-3. The home-opener is set for Sept. 7 against rival Central.
