Metcalf Named Verizon Academic All-American of the Year

Cepero and Pilakowski also named to Academic All-America teams
San Diego -- Nebraska right side hitter Nancy Metcalf was named the Verizon Volleyball Academic All-American of the Year Thursday morning. Metcalf, a 1999 second-team Academic All-American, was also one of six players named to the 2001 first-team in the university division. Her selection as the Academic All-American of the Year marks the fourth time in program history and the first time since 1991 that a NU player has earned the honor.

Joining Metcalf on the Verizon Academic All-America teams were junior outside hitter Laura Pilakowski and junior setter Greichaly Cepero. Pilakowski earned second-team honors for the second straight year, and Cepero was recognized on the third team.

Nebraskas three selections on the 18-player list were the most of any school. This year marks the second time in school history that three Huskers have earned volleyball Academic All-America honors in the same season, as Virginia Stahr, Carla Baker and Janet Kruse were all on the 1989 Academic All-America squad.

Metcalf, a native of Hull, Iowa, owns a 3.81 GPA in advertising and will graduate in December of 2001. A 1999 second-team academic All-American, Metcalf leads Nebraska in kills (455), service aces (44), digs (321) and double-doubles (15) this season. The 1999 and 2001 Big 12 Player of the year and a three-time AVCA first-team All-American, Metcalf recently joined former U.S. National Team captain Allison Weston (1992-95) as the only two players in NU history to rank among the top 10 in kills and blocks on the NU career charts.

Pilakowski, a native of Columbus, Neb., owns a 3.93 GPA in advertising. A 2000 second-team academic All-American, Pilakowski ranks second on the team in kills (348), and is third in digs (308) and service aces (26). Pilakowski, a 2000 AVCA first-team All-American, was the only outside hitter ranked among the Big 12s leaders in hitting percentage, as her .337 mark ranks third in league matches.

Cepero, a native of Dorado, Puerto Rico, owns a 3.57 GPA in international business. The 2000 AVCA Player of the Year, Cepero led Nebraska to a Big 12-best .316 hitting percentage this season, and five Huskers are hitting .285 or better under Cepero. Also the 2000 Honda Award winner for volleyball, Cepero is averaging 12.38, 1.31 kills, 2.27 digs and 1.30 blocks per game. She ranked fifth among league players with 1.40 blocks per game in Big 12 matches.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Verizon Academic All-America program, which was founded by CoSIDA in 1952 to recognize collegiate student-athletes for their outstanding achievements in the classroom and on the playing field. Over the past 50 years, the Verizon Academic All-America program has grown into one of the most recognized and prestigious collegiate scholar-athlete awards nationwide, honoring student-athletes from all NCAA championship sports.

The Verizon Academic All-America Teams are selected by a vote of the 1,800-member CoSIDA. To be eligible, an athlete must be a varsity starter or key reserve and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.20 on a scale of 4.00. Sports information directors nominate eligible athletes from their schools who are named to district teams prior to being voted upon the national level.