FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BATES VOLLEYBALL EARNS ALL-ACADEMIC HONOR

LEWISTON, Maine — The Bates College volleyball team has been named a recipient of the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA)/Molten U.S.A. Team Academic Award for 2000-2001. The award honors college and high school teams that displayed excellence in the classroom by maintaining at least a 3.30 cumulative grade-point average during the 2000-01 school year.

The Bobcats were one of just 24 NCAA Division III teams recognized by the AVCA. Of the 85 college programs that were recognized in all NCAA and NAIA divisions, Bates was one of 18 to reach the postseason tournament, including six other Division III institutions. The Bobcats posted a 3.45 cumulative grade-point average for the 2000-2001 season, eighth-best in Division III, thanks to a pair of Verizon Academic All-district selections in setter Kate Hagstrom '01 and outside hitter Kristina Godek '01.

Bates volleyball finished with a 31-9 record under first-year head coach Jen Bowman in 2000. The Bobcats placed second in the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) and received one of seven at-large berths in the NCAA tournament field, where they advanced to the Sweet 16. Three starters return for the 2001 season, including NESCAC and AVCA New England Rookie of the Year Liz Wanless of Belleville, Ill., and outside hitter Lauren Fennessey of Joplin, Mo., the 2000 NESCAC Defensive Player of the Year. Fennessey and junior outside hitter Katie Burke of Canton, Mass., will be the Bobcats' captains in 2001.

For more information on Bates volleyball, please visit our Web site at http://abacus.bates.edu/sports/volleyball.html. For more information on the AVCA/Molten Team Academic Award, please visit the AVCA web site at http://www.avca.org.