Seven Spikers Named Academic All-Big 12

The University of Colorado volleyball team had seven individuals selected to the 2002 Academic All-Big 12 team, the conference announced Tuesday. Every eligible team member was tabbed with the honors, only freshmen were not.

"We're very excited that all seven players eligible made the Academic All-Big 12 team," CU head coach Pi'i Aiu said. "This is a very tough school and that makes the accomplishment all that more impressive. All these players work extremely hard both on and off the court and it's nice to see them rewarded for that."

Seniors Elizabeth Gower, Kim Taskey, and Sara Fredrickson, juniors Monique Gerlach and Monica Vesanovic, and sophomore Allison Barnes were all First Team selections, having received higher than a 3.20 grade point average in at least the last two semesters.

Gower currently leads the Buffs with a 3.94 cumulative GPA, while Taskey boasts a 3.90 academic standing. Gower was Colorado's top Chemical Engineering recruit when she came in as a freshman in 1998.

Senior Meghan Barkman received Second Team accolades, registering higher than a 3.0 GPA.

The 2002 Academic All-Big 12 Colorado class continues in Buffalo volleyball fashion, as seven individuals made the First Team last year and one landed on the Honorable Mention list in 2001. Aiu has now coached his players to 36 total academic all-conference awards in his six-year tenure in Boulder.

The Buffs (13-13, 7-9 Big 12) will see their next 2002 action when they host Texas Tech (11-14, 6-10 Big 12) Wednesday, Nov. 20 at the Coors Events/Conference Center in Boulder at 7 p.m.