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Nov. 28, 2006
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – University of Virginia third-year outside hitter Sarah Kirkwood (Tampa, Fla./Plant) has been named to the 2006 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America® women’s volleyball first team as announced Tuesday (Nov. 28). Kirkwood is one of just six volleyball players to be named to the first team. The Academic All-America women’s volleyball team is selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).
In 2005, Kirkwood became the first UVa volleyball player to earn national Academic All-America honors when she was named to the second team. Kirkwood is the first Virginia student-athlete to be named a first-team Academic All-American since 1998 when Andriy Shapowal (men’s soccer) and Margaret Boutilier (women’s lacrosse) were named to the men’s and women’s at-large first teams, respectively.
“Sarah’s commitment to excellence both in the gym and the classroom is evident by her actions everyday,” said head coach Melissa Aldrich Shelton. “She puts all of her efforts into being the best student and best athlete she can be as well as making the most out of her college experience. Thomas Jefferson would be proud.”
Kirkwood became eligible for national Academic All-America honors after earning first-team Academic All-District III accolades in early November. To be nominated for ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America honors, a student-athlete must be a starter or important reserve with at least a 3.20 cumulative grade-point average (on a 4.0 scale) for his/her career. No athlete is eligible until he/she has reached sophomore athletic and academic standing in his/her career.
Kirkwood carries a 3.92 GPA as a cognitive science/Pre-Med major, and is an Echols Scholar.
In 2006, Kirkwood averaged a team-best 3.80 kills per game (334 kills in 88 games) and led UVa with 56 service aces (0.64 per game). She led all ACC players with the 0.64 aces per game and ranks 13th in the nation. Kirkwood, who was named to a pair of all-tournament teams this season, also recorded 262 digs (2.98 per game) and 34 blocks (0.39 per game). She missed the first six matches of Atlantic Coast Conference play due to illness, but started all 25 matches she appeared in. Kirkwood was a 2005 American Volleyball Coaches Association honorable mention All-American and also captured first-team AVCA All-East Region and first-team All-ACC honors last season.
“I’m truly honored to be named a first-team Academic All-American,” said Kirkwood. “I take tremendous pride in being a well-rounded student-athlete. It’s nice for student-athletes to be recognized for anything outside of their sport and I’d like to extend my congratulations to the other volleyball players who were named Academic All-Americans.”
Virginia finished the season with a 23-8 overall record and placed second in the ACC with a 16-6 mark. UVa set a school record with its 16 conference victories.