MONTICELLO  – Senior MacKenzie Willis and sophomore Stephanie Hatten have been named the 2008 College Sports Information Directors of America Academic All-District Women’s Volleyball Team.
 
Willis (Andrews, Texas) has been named to the District 6 College Division first team with a perfect cumulative grade point average of 4.0 during her two years at UAM. Academic awards are no stranger to Willis, as this award will add to her ever-growing list, including the most recent selection to the 2007 GSC All-Academic Team. Prior to transferring to UAM, she lettered two years at Vernon College where she earned NAIA Division I All-Academic team honors as well as being named to the president’s list both years, earning her associate’s degree with a perfect 4.0 GPA. She is majoring in chemistry at UAM.
 
This season, Willis has played in 33 matches, racking up 48 kills, 18 assists, 10 service aces, 236 digs and 11 total blocks. Her dig-per-game average of 2.09 ranks third on the team.
 
With a first-team selection, Willis is now eligible for the CoSIDA Academic All-America team.
 
Hatten (Baytown, Texas) has been named to the District 6 College Division third team with a 3.90 cumulative GPA through almost three semesters as a double-major in pre-medicine and biology. This is Hatten’s first academic award.
 
On the court this season, Hatten has played in 32 matches, making her mark defensively. She has racked up 340 digs, averaging 2.98 per set with only 34 reception errors. She has also tallied five kills, 23 assists and 21 service aces.
 
“I have always stressed academics as a coach,” said fourth-year head coach of the Blossoms Nicole Smith. “These two, along with several others on the team, really take that to heart. Volleyball is a privilege that can only be used by these players if they take responsibility on and off the court. Their playing days will eventually come to an end, but what they do in the classroom will prepare them for a lifetime. I couldn’t be more proud of their accomplishments and hard work.”