Nine Huskers Named to 2001 Volleyball Academic All-Big 12 Team

Lincoln, Neb. -- A league-best nine Nebraska volleyball players are among the 52 student-athletes who have been named to the 2001 Volleyball Academic All-Big 12 Teams, the conference office announced Monday. The Huskers first-team selections included seniors Nancy Metcalf and Jenny Kropp, juniors Greichaly Cepero, Amber Holmquist, Laura Pilakowski and Lindsay Wischmeier and sophomores Anna Schrad and Jenae Dowling. Sophomore Sara Westling earned second-team honors.

Metcalf is a three-time member of the first team, while Cepero, Holmquist, Pilakowski and Wischmeier are all making their second appearance on the first team. Kropp earned first-team honors after garnering second-team honors last season. Schrad, Dowling and Westling are all being recognized for the first time, as freshmen are not eligible for the honor.

Colorado and Kansas State ranked second behind Nebraska, as each school had seven players recognized on the academic all-Big 12 teams.

Nominated by each institutions director of student-athlete support services and the media relations offices, the volleyball academic all-league squad consisted of 41 combined first-team members with 11 on the second team. First-team members consist of those who have maintained a 3.2 or better grade point average, while the second team are those who have a 3.0 to 3.19 GPA.

To qualify student-athletes must maintain a 3.0 grade point average or higher either cumulative or the two previous semesters and must have participated in 60 percent of her teams scheduled contests. Freshmen and transfers are not eligible in their first year of academic residence. Senior student-athletes who have participated for a minimum of two years and meet all the criteria except percent of participation are eligible.

The second-ranked Huskers (25-1) are entering their final week of regular-season competition. NU will play its final regular-season home match Wednesday, when it plays host to Colorado at 7 p.m. The Huskers will be presented with the Big 12 Championship trophy following the match. Nebraska wraps up its 2001 slate Saturday at Iowa State in a 3 p.m. match.

Nebraskas 2001 Volleyball Academic All-Big 12 Selections

First Team (3.20-plus grade point average)
Name	Class	Major	Hometown
Greichaly Cepero	Jr.	International Business	Dorado, Puerto Rico
Jenae Dowling	So.	General Studies	Fort Wayne, Ind.
Amber Holmquist	Jr.	Communication Studies	Houston, Texas
Jenny Kropp	Sr.	Advertising	Grand Island, Neb.
Nancy Metcalf	Sr.	Advertising	Hull, Iowa
Laura Pilakowski	Jr.	Advertising	Columbus, Neb.
Anna Schrad	So.	General Studies	Lincoln, Neb.
Lindsay Wischmeier	Jr.	Business Administration	Burchard, Neb.
Second Team (3.0 to 3.19 grade point average)
Sara Westling	So.	Elementary Education	Lincoln, Neb.