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SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — Wittenberg University volleyball standout Emily Bell, class of 2008 from Fort Wayne, Ind., has been recognized for the combination of her athletic and academic accomplishments with third-team CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America College Division All-District IV honors.
In addition, Bell was named first-team All-Great Lakes Region and honorable mention All-America for the second straight year, awards announced just days after earning first-team All-North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) for a second straight year. Bell's lists of awards were matched by outside hitter Jackie Williams, class of 2009 from Rocky River, Ohio.
The academic award is the first such honor in Bell's fine Wittenberg career. A three-year starting outside hitter, Bell has been a model of consistency during her collegiate career, both on and off the court. While carrying a 3.7 grade point average, the education major is active around campus as she participates in Athletes for Christ and intramurals and also works as a tutor.
"Emily is a tremendous leader, both in the classroom and on the court," said Wittenberg Volleyball Head Coach Paco Labrador. "She meets or exceeds every academic and athletic goal she sets for herself. She exemplifies the high standards that Wittenberg has for its student-athletes."
Bell, also a first-team all-region and honorable mention All-America honoree in 2005, has been a key part of the another outstanding season for the Tigers, who carry a 32-7 overall record into today's NCAA Division III Tournament second round match against Hiram College at Calvin College. For the third straight year, Bell ranks among the team leaders in several statistical categories after posting 387 kills, 618 digs and 33 aces in the 2006 regular season.
Williams, the 2005 NCAC Newcomer of the Year, earned first-team All-NCAC for a second consecutive season before claiming her first career all-region and All-America awards. She leads the Tigers with 395 kills and ranks second on the team with 77 blocks.
Wittenberg won the NCAC regular season title for the 11th time in the last 12 years before falling 3-2 to Hiram in the NCAC Tournament championship match. Despite the loss, which snapped streaks of 25 straight NCAC Tournament match victories and 10 straight tourney championships, the Tigers were selected as an at-large team in the NCAA Division III Tournament for the 11th straight year and 12th time in school history.
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