Lynch, Cepero among Husker Graduates

Lincoln - Volleyball players Griechaly Cepero and Michelle Lynch were among the 54 current or former student-athletes who graduated from the University of Nebraska in commencement ceremonies at the Bob Devaney Sports Center on Saturday morning.

The two volleyball players highlight the graduating class that includes nine student-athletes who combined for 24 All-America awards, including two athletes who have combined for three individual national titles in their respective sports and a fourth athlete who led her team to a national championship while capturing national player-of-the-year honors.

A three-time AVCA All-American, Cepero was one of the finest setters in collegiate volleyball history. The 2000 AVCA National Player of the Year and Honda Award winner, she led the Huskers to a 34-0 record and a national title in 2000, and two national semifinal appearances. She finished her career ranked on NU’s top-10 list in assists and blocks, as the Huskers went undefeated in Big 12 play in her final three seasons at NU. Cepero also shined in the classroom, earning Academic All-America honors during her Husker career. Cepero, who has also been a member of the U.S. National volleyball team, earned her degree in management.

Lynch played an instrumental role in helping the Huskers to a pair of Big 12 titles during her career at NU before she was sidelined by a back injury in May of 2005. She appeared in 84 matches, totaling nearly 1,000 assists, 119 digs and 93 service aces during her Husker career. In her final season at NU, Lynch ranked among the Big 12 leaders in services aces. A two-time academic All-Big 12 pick, she graduated with a degree in biologicial sciences and hopes to start medical school in 2007.

Overall, 84 Husker student-athletes have graduated this academic year before summer commencement exercises in August. Nebraska continues to lead the Big 12 and rank among the top schools in the nation with an exhausted eligibility graduation rate of 93 percent.