RICHARDSON, Texas (Dec. 1) – Three members of the Cameron women’s volleyball team have received recognition for their efforts on and off the court. Senior Nicole Reinhart is one of six student-athletes named to this year’s Lone Star Conference North Division All-Academic, while senior Jenny Head and sophomore Ashley Rikard have earned a spot on the LSC Commissioner’s Honor Roll.
A two-year member of the Aggie squad, Reinhart emerged as the most consistent Cameron player on the court this season. The 6-0 middle blocker ranked among the conference leaders in blocks per game for the second straight year and led the Aggies with a .278 season hitting percentage. A product of Rosalind, Alberta, Reinhart was a three-time LSC North Offensive Player of the Week winner this year, including back-to-back honors on Sept. 27 and Oct. 4. She was named to the all-tournament team at this year’s Lone Star Conference championship tournament and was one of two Aggie players to earn first team All-LSC North honors this season.
Head finished her two-year career at Cameron with four school records, including marks for single-season digs and career digs per game. The Grande Prairie, Alberta, native finished the 2004 regular season leading all conference players in digs per game. As a junior, Head was awarded LSC North Defensive Player of the Year honors and was selected as this year’s Libero of the Year in the North Division. She was one of seven players named to the all-tournament team at this year’s LSC championships, earning second team All-Southwest Region honors, as well.
In just her second season of collegiate volleyball, Rikard took on an increased role with the Aggies this season. The 5-10 outside hitter from Lawton’s MacArthur High School appeared in just four matches as a freshman in 2003, but saw action in 72 games this year, compiling 129 kills, 11 service aces and 171 digs. Rikard also added 17 blocks, including two solo stops.
Midwestern State’s Whitney Johansen and Abilene Christian’s Kellen Morrow were handed top honors on the LSC All-Academic teams. Johansen, a junior setter, was named 2004 LSC North Division Academic Player of the Year, while Morrow, a senior libero, managed the same acclaim for the LSC South Division. In all, 38 student-athletes were recognized by the LSC’s academic awards program.
Joining Reinhart and Johansen on the North Division All-Academic Team were Carley Messmer and Rochelle Schneider of Texas Woman’s, Stephanie Ball of Central Oklahoma, and Kayla Hanzelka of Texas A&M-Commerce. ACU dominated the South Division team, with Morrow being joined by Michelle Bernhardt and Lindsey Martin as repeat selections. Eastern New Mexico placed Anna Bellum and Jessica Weeks on the squad, while Angelo State was represented by Amber Nelson for a second straight year.
To be eligible for LSC academic honors, student-athletes must carry at least a 3.20 grade point average with a minimum of 24 semester hours at the nominating institution. The Academic Player of Year awards and All-Academic Teams are selected from the list of academically qualified players, with the league’s sports information directors voting on the basis of both academic and athletic achievement. All qualifying student-athletes not selected for the All-Academic Team are then named to the Honor Roll.
In all, 12 players were named to the All-Academic Teams while another 26 were placed on the Honor Roll. Each of the LSC’s 12 volleyball teams had at least one player receive academic recognition. For a complete listing of this year’s Lone Star Conference volleyball academic award winners, visit the LSC online at www.lonestarconference.org.
