By, Chase Cupples, sports information assistant
January 7, 2009
BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Bluffton University volleyball team had an outstanding semester in the classroom, ending the fall with a team GPA of 3.34. The Beavers placed seven members on the Dean's List (3.6 and above) for the 2008 Fall semester. 11 other Bluffton volleyballers finished with a 3.0 GPA or higher, bringing the total number of Beavers with a 3.0 to 18 players.
Juniors MICHELE ROSEN (Harrison) and BRITTANY ROTH(Findlay) were joined on the Dean's List by sophomores CRYSTAL AUGSBURGER (Bowling Green) and KAYLA PICKERING(Jamestown/Greenview) while freshmen JENNA ESHLEMAN(Landisville, Penn./Hempfield), MORGAN HICKS(Convoy/Crestview), and CHRISTIANA SINDELAR (Napoleon) all made the Dean's List during their first semester at Bluffton.
Finishing the 2008 Fall semester with a 3.0 GPA or higher was junior transfer AMY SIMINDINGER (Lima/Bath), as well as sophomores BRITTANY DUFF (Wapakoneta), BRIANA RAPP (West Jefferson/Jonathon Alder), SHAUNA ROWLAND(Bucyrus/Wynford), and ALLISON STRIECHER (Continental). There was also six freshmen, including MEGHAN DODSON(Tiffin/Calvert), MANDI LEEMASTER (Fremont/Old Fort), LAUREN MORROW (Marion/River Valley), HEATHER RODMAN(Mansfield/Mansfield Christian), EMILY TURNER (Lima/Lima Senior) and NICOLE WOOD (Tiffin/Hopewell Loudon).
The Bluffton University volleyball team also had four members honored by the Heartland Conference as Academic All-HCAC following the 2008 Fall semester. Junior Brittany Roth was joined by three sophomores: Crystal Augsburger, Kayla Pickering and Briana Rapp. The Beavers have shown a penchant for outstanding work both in the classroom and on the court as half of those eligible for Academic All-HCAC mention were honored.
Academic All-Conference selections have at least a cumulative 3.5 GPA and are varsity athletes. The cumulative GPA is the student-athlete's GPA at the end of the semester preceding the end of the fall season. The student-athlete has completed the equivalent of a full academic year, full time enrolled, at the institution to be eligible for the Academic All-Conference award.
The end of the year banquet celebrated the year's accomplishments by the 2008 Beaver volleyball team. Sophomore Crystal Augsburger was selected as the winner of the 'Bucky Beaver Award.' The Bucky Beaver Award is awarded to the athlete that displays the qualities of a Beaver; intelligent, hard-working and a determination to get the job done. Freshman Jenna Eshleman was selected as the team's 'Most Valuable Player' for her superb all-around play during 2008 season. Junior Brittany Roth collected the 'Unsung Hero Award' for her defensive work that often goes unnoticed on the stat sheets. Freshman Nicole Wood was selected as the 'Most Improved Player' by her teammates who voted on all of the post-season awards that were announced during the volleyball banquet on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2009.