Junior Shannon Rich (Folsom, CA/Folsom) and sophomore Kelli McGhiey (Pearl City, HI/Sacred Hearts Academy ) were named to the All-Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Academic First-Team as the Western New Mexico University volleyball team led the conference with 11 total players on the list that was released Thursday.
To be eligible for consideration, a student-athlete must carry a 3.30 cumulative grade points average and must have been an active student at the institution for at least two consecutive semesters or three consecutive quarters. The First-Team was voted on by the league’s sports information directors.
Joining Rich and McGhiey was seniors Chyler Imai (Kapaau, HI/Kohala), Barbara Soranzo (Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil/Mestre Santa Barbara), sophomores Kelsie Bailey (Albuquerque, NM/El Dorado), Opal Drapeau (Denver, CO/Bishop Machebeuf Catholic ), Morgan Lyneis (Victorville, CA/Apple Valley), Taimane Passi (Honolulu, HI/Iolani),Taryn Schriner (Dayton, NV/Dayton ) and redshirt freshmen Alexis Tam (Honolulu, HI/Roosevelt ) and Carina Verhulsdonk (Kailua Kona, HI/Hawaii Preparatory Academy) as they were all named to the honor roll.
Rich, a middle blocker from Folsom, Calif., holds a 3.75 GPA and is majoring in business management. She lands on the list for the second straight season. Rich leads the team in total blocks (66) and solo (25), while also adding a second-best on the team in kills (136) and hitting percentage (.274). In addition she has tallied eight assists, eight service aces and 29 digs in playing in all 71 sets so far this season. Rich ranks high in the RMAC in a pair of categories including ninth in hitting percentage and fifth in blocks per set (0.93).
McGhiey, an outside hitter from Pearl City, Hawaii, holds a perfect 4.00 GPA and is majoring in social sciences. She is one of only three players on the First-Team that recorded a perfect 4.00 GPA. McGhiey has seen action in 45 sets this season coming away with 91 kills, eight assists, three service aces, 58 digs and 10 blocks.
Imai, a libero and setter from Kapaau, Hawaii, has been a staple on the All-RMAC Academic list making it each year she was eligible. She holds a 3.67 GPA and is majoring in sociology. Imai has played in 67 sets this season and is third on the team in digs with 141, while also adding 172 assists, good for second on the squad, 13 service aces and a kill.
Soranzo, a libero from Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, holds a 3.33 GPA and is majoring in marketing. Soranzo has played in 50 sets accumulating 89 digs, six assists and five service aces.
Bailey, a libero from Albuquerque, N.M., holds a 3.44 GPA and is majoring in zoology. Bailey, a redshirt sophomore is on the list for the second straight season. She has played in 35 sets collecting 54 digs, a kill, six assists and three service aces.
Drapeau, a setter from Denver, Colo., holds a 3.46 GPA and is majoring in psychology. Drapeau has seen action in 23 sets recording 58 assists, 34 digs, a block and three kills.
Lyneis, an outside hitter from Victorville, Calif., holds a 3.33 GPA and is majoring in criminal justice. Lyneis has played in 56 sets so far this season coming away with 71 kills, two assists, a service ace, 25 digs and 23 blocks.
Passi, a middle blocker/setter from Honolulu, Hawaii, holds a 3.48 GPA and is majoring in nursing. This is her second straight year landing on the academic list. Passi has played in three sets tallying nine assists, six digs and a service ace.
Schriner, an outside hitter/right side from Dayton, Nev., holds a 3.42 GPA and is majoring in chemistry. Schriner has played in 25 sets tallying 22 kills, five assists, a service ace, eight digs and seven blocks.
Tam, a right side/libero from Honolulu, Hawaii, holds a 3.33 GPA and is majoring in education. She hasn’t played in any games so far this season.
Verhulsdonk, a libero from Kailua Kona, Hawaii, holds a 3.53 GPA and is majoring in accounting. She hasn’t played in any games this season.
The Lady Mustangs return to action this Friday when they host Chadron State beginning at 7 p.m.