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Jenna-Eshleman first Bluffton athlete to earn First Team Academic All-American

Posted: Dec 13, 2011

December 13, 2011

 

BLUFFTON, Ohio - Bluffton University senior JENNA ESHLEMAN(Landisville, Penn./Hempfield) has been named First Team Academic All-America by CoSida. Eshleman, a social work major with a 3.96 GPA, was named First Team Academic All-America after being a second team All-District honoree as a junior. A four-year starter at outside hitter for the Beavers, Eshleman was also a three-time Academic All-HCAC performer.

She is the first Bluffton athlete to be honored as a first team selection and just the second to be named Academic All-America. Sara Betts, a standout hurler for the Bluffton softball program, was named Second Team Academic All-America in 2004 following her sophomore campaign when she was a First Team All-District selection.

Senior Jenna Eshleman, who was only the third volleyball player in Bluffton history to amass over 1,200 career kills and 1,300 digs, returned to form after having her front row time limited last season due to a shoulder injury. She slammed 382 kills while hitting .223 with 429 digs, 25 blocks and 31 service aces. Her 3.26 kills per set in 2011 place her tied for 11th all time. Eshleman's 382 kills leave her tied for 16th on the single-season list at Bluffton. As a testament to her versatility, Eshleman racked up 15 of her 44 career double-doubles as a senior.

Eshleman also leaves an indelible mark on the career record books at Bluffton. In addition to being a four-time Player of the Week in the Heartland Conference, she ranks second all-time with 2.82 kills per set. Her 1,222 kills put her fifth all time and her 1,353 digs place her 13th overall. Eshleman stands eighth all time with a .228 career hitting percentage. She was a first team All-HCAC selection in 2008, 2009 and 2011 and she earned HCAC tournament Most Valuable Player honors for leading Bluffton to the NCAA Regionals as a sophomore.

To be nominated for the CoSIDA Academic All-America program, a student-athlete must be a starter or important reserve with at least a 3.30 cumulative grade-point average at his/her current institution. Nominated athletes must have participated in at least 50 percent of the team's games at the position listed on the nomination form. No student-athlete is eligible until he/she has completed one full calendar year at his/her current institution and has reached sophomore athletic eligibility.

-BEAVERS-