Houghtelling, Smith to Graduate on Saturday

Lincoln ? Husker volleyball players Christina Houghtelling and Meghan Smith are among the 45 current or former student-athletes graduating this weekend from the University of Nebraska. Houghtelling and Smith are part of a decorated graduating class that will celebrate winter commencement ceremonies on Saturday, Dec. 22, at the Bob Devaney Sports Center.

Houghtelling will receive her degree in elementary education after recently concluding a stellar career. A two-time AVCA All-American, Houghtelling helped the Huskers to four Big 12 titles and two NCAA National Semifinal Appearances during her career at Nebraska. As a senior, she averaged 3.02 kills, 3.95 digs and 0.30 service aces per game, ranking eighth in the Big 12 in digs and 10th in service aces. The Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year in 2007, Houghtelling led all conference outside hitters in digs, as her total ranked third on the Huskers’ single-season charts. Houghtelling, who also was the AVCA National Player of the Year in 2005, finished her career with 1,009 kills to rank 19th on NU’s career list. She was an outstanding performer in the classroom as well, earning first-team ESPN the Magazine Academic All-America honors in 2005 and 2007.

Smith played at Nebraska for two seasons (2004-05) before focusing on her academics, as she graduated in just three and a half years with a degree in communication studies. A two-year performer at middle blocker, she helped the Huskers to a 63-4 record and two Big 12 titles in her Husker career. In her last season at NU, Smith averaged 1.36 blocks and 1.18 kills per game in helping the Huskers to the national championship match. Smith enjoyed the best match of her career in her first career start at No. 5 Minnesota, delivering career highs in both kills (eight) and blocks (seven), while hitting a team-high .312 in a five-game triumph over the Golden Gophers.