Dec. 2, 2004

The West Texas A&M University volleyball team had three members earn Lone Star Conference South Division All-Academic awards announced by the conference office Thursday (Dec. 2).

Junior middle blocker Cynthia Carter and sophomore outside hitters Rachel Altman and Jessica Scherr were named to the Commissioner's Honor Roll.

Carter, a native of Corona, Calif., has a 3.552 GPA as a criminal justice major. On the court, Carter led WTAMU and was second in the LSC and with a .328 attack percentage, tallying 261 kills (2.56 kpg) and was second on the team with 67 blocks (0.66 bpg). She also earned the Most Valuable Player Award at the WTAMU First General Services Lady Buff Classic in August.

Altman, a native of Dallas, Texas, has a 3.367 GPA as a public relations major. She was third on the team with 317 kills (2.60 kpg), hitting .185. She added 327 digs (2.68 dpg) and 56 blocks (0.46 bpg). Altman was also named to the All-Tournament Team at the Grand Valley State Tournament in September and also earned honorable mention All-LSC South accolades.

Scherr, a Kingwood, Texas native, has a 4.464 GPA majoring in general education. She led the Lady Buffs with 363 kills (2.90 kpg), hitting .184, leading the team in total attacks with 1,183. Scherr also was second on the team and 10th in the conference in digs with 511 (4.09 dpg).

Kellen Morrow from conference champion Abilene Christian University was named LSC South Academic Player of the Year, while Midwestern State University's Whitney Johansen garnered the North's Academic Player of the Year award.

In all, 12 players were named to the All-Academic Teams while another 26 were placed on the Honor Roll. Each of the LSC's 12 volleyball teams had at least one player receive academic recognition.

To be eligible for LSC academic honors, student-athletes must carry at least a 3.20 grade point average with a minimum of 24 semester hours at the nominating institution. The Academic Player of Year awards and All-Academic Teams are selected from the list of academically qualified players, with the league's sports information directors voting on the basis of both academic and athletic achievement. All qualifying student-athletes not selected for the All-Academic Team are then named to the Honor Roll.

WTAMU finished the season with a 19-15 ledger overall, and 2-7 in the LSC South. It was the first time since 1994 that the Lady Buffs did not reach the 20-win plateau. It was also the first time ever in school history that WTAMU did not qualify for the LSC Tournament and the first time since 1993 that the Lady Buffs will not be competing in the NCAA-II Tournament. WTAMU loses two seniors with the conclusion of the season, but will return six starters from this year's line-up.

-WT-