Eight Named Academic All-Big 12

Nov. 17, 2009

NORMAN, Okla. – The University of Oklahoma volleyball team placed eight student-athletes on the All-Big 12 Academic first team, the league office announced Tuesday. Oklahoma led the way with eight first team honorees, while Kansas was second with seven.

Earning the honors were sophomores Danielle Alva (Arlington, Texas), Brianne Barker (Amarillo, Texas), Suzy Boulavsky (Houston, Texas) and Caitlin Higgins (Amarillo, Texas), juniors Chrissy Disarro (Plano, Texas), Francie Ekwerekwu (Arlington, Texas) and Sarah Freudenrich (Broken Arrow, Okla.) and senior Bridget Laplante (Tomball, Texas).

Boulavsky was named to the College Sports Information Directors of America Academic All-District first team earlier this season. Higgins was named to the third team. Laplante was previously honored as a member of the Big 12's fall Community of Champions for her work on the court and in the classroom.

Nominated by each institution, the volleyball academic all-league squad consisted of 43 first team members combined with nine on the second team. First team members consist of those who have maintained a 3.20 or better GPA, and the second team are those who have a 3.00 to 3.19 GPA.

To qualify student-athletes must maintain a 3.00 GPA or higher either cumulative or the two previous semesters and must have participated in 60 percent of her team's scheduled contests. Freshmen and transfers are not eligible in their first year of academic residence.