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Five Named to All-ACC Academic Team
1/25/2022 11:00:00 AM | Volleyball
DURHAM – Five members of the Duke volleyball team were selected to the All-ACC Academic Team for the 2021 campaign, as announced by the league office Tuesday.
The Blue Devils honored were Mackenzie Cole, Lizzie Fleming, Gracie Johnson, Ade Owokoniran and Alex Springate. Cole earned the accolade for the third time in her Duke career.
Cole saw one of the most successful seasons as a Duke libero and was named ACC Defensive Player of the Year and to the AVCA All-East Coast Region team. This season, the Oakdale, N.Y., native picked up 427 digs to tie for first in the conference with 4.19 digs per set and spearheaded a defense that ranked sixth in the ACC. She racked up 20 or more digs six times throughout the season and dished 93 assists, the most on the squad behind Duke's two setters. Her 40 aces this season were second most in the conference as Duke finished second in the ACC as a team. She has cemented herself as one of Duke's top defensive specialists during her time as a Blue Devil and is ranked 30th on the NCAA active career leaders list with 1,664 career digs as the lone ACC member in the top 80.
Fleming had a standout junior campaign as she led the team in total blocks (101.0). She finished third on the team with 176 kills for an impressive .312 hitting percentage out of the middle and right side. She played in all but one set and registered four or more blocks in 13 matches, including a season-high 10 in Duke's sweep over Wake Forest on November 5. She tied her career high of 14 kills twice against Coastal Carolina (8/27/21) and Notre Dame (10/29/21).
Johnson continued to be one of Duke's go-to attackers during her junior year as she finished second on the team in total kills with 239 for a 2.37 kills/set average. The 6-0 outside hitter saw action in all but one set and led the conference in service aces with 46. She racked up 254 digs as a six-rotation player, the most on the squad behind libero Cole, and added 35.0 total blocks at the net. This season, she tallied a career-high 23 kills against North Carolina (11/26/21) and four aces twice against College of Charleston (9/4/21) and Wake Forest (11/5/21).
Owokoniran carried her strong momentum into her senior season that was highlighted by becoming the 27th Blue Devil to reach 1,000 kills, achieving the feat against Notre Dame (10/29/21). She finished the year leading the team with 311 kills for a 3.27 kills/set average and a .243 hitting percentage as an outside hitter. She also added 52.0 total blocks at the net and 57 digs. The 6-3 senior tallied 15 or more kills six times, including a season-high 23 against Notre Dame (10/29/21).
Springate served as Duke's main setter throughout the season as she dished 630 total assists for an impressive 7.59 assists/set average. She also picked up 146 digs. The Allen, Texas native reached the 1,000-assist plateau against North Carolina (9/11/21) and owns 1,361 career assists. She dished 30 or more assists eight times throughout the year, including a career-high 48 against Florida State (10/10/21), and a career-high 16 digs three times. Through the first six matches, Springate averaged 35.8 assists/set.
Nine members of the team were named All-Americans, 22 received All-Region honors and 30 earned All-ACC distinction.
The ACC Scholar-Athlete of the Year awards were established in September of 2007 to be awarded annually to the top junior or senior student-athlete in their respective sports. Candidates for the awards must have maintained a 3.0-grade point average for their careers, as well as a 3.0 for each of the last two semesters.
Minimum academic requirements for selection to the All-ACC Academic Team are a 3.0-grade point average for the previous semester and a 3.0 cumulative average during one's academic career. Athletic achievements during the most recent season are also considered in selecting the All-ACC Academic Team.
The ACC Honor Roll, which recognizes all conference student-athletes with a grade point average of 3.0 for the current academic year, will be released in July.
For more information on Duke volleyball, follow the Blue Devils on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching for "DukeVB".
#GoDuke
2021 ACC Volleyball Scholar-Athletes of the Year
Amaya Tillman***, Louisville, Jr., MB, Sport Administration
Serena Gray, Pitt, Gr., MB, Applied Developmental Psychology
2021 All-ACC Academic Volleyball Team
Amaka Chukwujekwu**, Boston College, Gr., MB, Leadership & Administration
Anna Murphy, Boston College, So., L, Management & Political Science
Clare Naughton, Boston College, Gr., OH, Political Science
Ani Clark, Clemson, Jr., MB, Accounting
Kaylee Martin, Clemson, Gr., OH, Athletic Leadership
Ava Pritchard, Clemson, Gr., MB, Athletic Leadership
McKenna Slavik**, Clemson, Jr., S, Sport Communications
Mackenzie Cole***, Duke, Sr., L, Psychology
Lizzie Fleming, Duke, Jr., MB, Political Science
Gracie Johnson, Duke, Jr., OH, Italian Studies
Ade Owokoniran, Duke, Sr., MB/OH, International Comparative
Alex Springate, Duke, Sr., S, Economics
Morgan Chacon, Florida State, Gr., OH, Social and Sustainable Entrepreneurship
Emma Clothier***, Florida State, Jr., MB, Public Health
Emery Dupes, Florida State, Fr., L, Exploratory
Audrey Koenig, Florida State, Fr., OH, Pre-Biology
Bianca Bertolino, Georgia Tech, Fr., OH, Biology
Mariana Brambilla***, Georgia Tech, Sr., RS, Psychology
Matti McKissock**, Georgia Tech, Sr., S, Business Administration
Breland Morrissette, Georgia Tech, Sr., MB, Business Administration
Claire Chaussee, Louisville, Sr., OH, Sport Administration
Anna DeBeer**, Louisville, So., OH, Health & Human Performance
Tori Dilfer***, Louisville, Gr., S, Marketing
Aiko Jones***, Louisville, R-Jr., OPP, Biology/Communications
Elena Scott, Louisville, Fr., L/DS, Undeclared
Anna Stevenson***, Louisville, Jr., MB, Sport Administration
Angela Grieve, Miami, Jr., OH, Sport Administration
Priscilla Hernandez, Miami, Sr., L, Management
Peyman Yardimci, Miami, Fr., OH, Business Technology
Mabrey Shaffmaster, North Carolina, Fr., OH, Exercise and Sport Science
Karenna Wurl**, North Carolina, Jr., L/DS, Media and Journalism
Melissa Evans**, NC State, Gr., OPP, Liberal Studies
Kaylee Frazier**, NC State, Gr., DS/L, Applied Statistics & Data Management
Taylor Rowland, NC State, Sr., OH, Elementary Education
Aubrey Hamilton**, Notre Dame, So., OH, Psychology
Lindsay Miller**, Notre Dame, So., MB, Environmental Sciences
Hattie Monson**, Notre Dame, So., L, Biological Sciences
Charley Niego, Notre Dame, Sr., OH, Management Consulting
Zoe Nunez**, Notre Dame, Sr., S, Marketing
Lexi Akeo**, Pitt, Jr., S, Accounting
Ashley Browske, Pitt, Jr., L/DS, Psychology
Kylee Levers, Pitt, Gr., S, Management
Kayla Lund****, Pitt, Gr., OH, Applied Developmental Psychology
Chinaza Ndee****, Pitt, Sr., RS, Psychology
Abby Casiano, Syracuse, Jr., MB, Food Studies
Elena Karakasi, Syracuse, Sr., S, Nutrition
Polina Shemanova****, Syracuse, Sr., OH, Communication & Rhetorical Studies and Linguistic Studies
Grace Turner, Virginia, Sr., OH, Educational Psychology (Masters)
Mary Shaffer, Virginia, So., RS/OH, Pre-Commerce
Griere Hughes, Virginia Tech, Sr., OH, Leadership
Logan Mosley, Virginia Tech, Jr., L/DS, Human Development
Brie Postema, Virginia Tech, So., S, Business
Natasha Vipond, Virginia Tech, Sr., MB, Civil Engineering
Andrea Fuentes, Wake Forest, Gr., S, Intercultural Services: Healthcare
Kamryn Malloy, Wake Forest, Gr., OH, Counseling
Ashley Slater**, Wake Forest, So., OH, Undeclared
Kalani Whillock, Wake Forest, Fr., DS/L, Undeclared
*denotes career All-ACC Academic honors
The Blue Devils honored were Mackenzie Cole, Lizzie Fleming, Gracie Johnson, Ade Owokoniran and Alex Springate. Cole earned the accolade for the third time in her Duke career.
Cole saw one of the most successful seasons as a Duke libero and was named ACC Defensive Player of the Year and to the AVCA All-East Coast Region team. This season, the Oakdale, N.Y., native picked up 427 digs to tie for first in the conference with 4.19 digs per set and spearheaded a defense that ranked sixth in the ACC. She racked up 20 or more digs six times throughout the season and dished 93 assists, the most on the squad behind Duke's two setters. Her 40 aces this season were second most in the conference as Duke finished second in the ACC as a team. She has cemented herself as one of Duke's top defensive specialists during her time as a Blue Devil and is ranked 30th on the NCAA active career leaders list with 1,664 career digs as the lone ACC member in the top 80.
Fleming had a standout junior campaign as she led the team in total blocks (101.0). She finished third on the team with 176 kills for an impressive .312 hitting percentage out of the middle and right side. She played in all but one set and registered four or more blocks in 13 matches, including a season-high 10 in Duke's sweep over Wake Forest on November 5. She tied her career high of 14 kills twice against Coastal Carolina (8/27/21) and Notre Dame (10/29/21).
Johnson continued to be one of Duke's go-to attackers during her junior year as she finished second on the team in total kills with 239 for a 2.37 kills/set average. The 6-0 outside hitter saw action in all but one set and led the conference in service aces with 46. She racked up 254 digs as a six-rotation player, the most on the squad behind libero Cole, and added 35.0 total blocks at the net. This season, she tallied a career-high 23 kills against North Carolina (11/26/21) and four aces twice against College of Charleston (9/4/21) and Wake Forest (11/5/21).
Owokoniran carried her strong momentum into her senior season that was highlighted by becoming the 27th Blue Devil to reach 1,000 kills, achieving the feat against Notre Dame (10/29/21). She finished the year leading the team with 311 kills for a 3.27 kills/set average and a .243 hitting percentage as an outside hitter. She also added 52.0 total blocks at the net and 57 digs. The 6-3 senior tallied 15 or more kills six times, including a season-high 23 against Notre Dame (10/29/21).
Springate served as Duke's main setter throughout the season as she dished 630 total assists for an impressive 7.59 assists/set average. She also picked up 146 digs. The Allen, Texas native reached the 1,000-assist plateau against North Carolina (9/11/21) and owns 1,361 career assists. She dished 30 or more assists eight times throughout the year, including a career-high 48 against Florida State (10/10/21), and a career-high 16 digs three times. Through the first six matches, Springate averaged 35.8 assists/set.
Nine members of the team were named All-Americans, 22 received All-Region honors and 30 earned All-ACC distinction.
The ACC Scholar-Athlete of the Year awards were established in September of 2007 to be awarded annually to the top junior or senior student-athlete in their respective sports. Candidates for the awards must have maintained a 3.0-grade point average for their careers, as well as a 3.0 for each of the last two semesters.
Minimum academic requirements for selection to the All-ACC Academic Team are a 3.0-grade point average for the previous semester and a 3.0 cumulative average during one's academic career. Athletic achievements during the most recent season are also considered in selecting the All-ACC Academic Team.
The ACC Honor Roll, which recognizes all conference student-athletes with a grade point average of 3.0 for the current academic year, will be released in July.
For more information on Duke volleyball, follow the Blue Devils on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching for "DukeVB".
#GoDuke
2021 ACC Volleyball Scholar-Athletes of the Year
Amaya Tillman***, Louisville, Jr., MB, Sport Administration
Serena Gray, Pitt, Gr., MB, Applied Developmental Psychology
2021 All-ACC Academic Volleyball Team
Amaka Chukwujekwu**, Boston College, Gr., MB, Leadership & Administration
Anna Murphy, Boston College, So., L, Management & Political Science
Clare Naughton, Boston College, Gr., OH, Political Science
Ani Clark, Clemson, Jr., MB, Accounting
Kaylee Martin, Clemson, Gr., OH, Athletic Leadership
Ava Pritchard, Clemson, Gr., MB, Athletic Leadership
McKenna Slavik**, Clemson, Jr., S, Sport Communications
Mackenzie Cole***, Duke, Sr., L, Psychology
Lizzie Fleming, Duke, Jr., MB, Political Science
Gracie Johnson, Duke, Jr., OH, Italian Studies
Ade Owokoniran, Duke, Sr., MB/OH, International Comparative
Alex Springate, Duke, Sr., S, Economics
Morgan Chacon, Florida State, Gr., OH, Social and Sustainable Entrepreneurship
Emma Clothier***, Florida State, Jr., MB, Public Health
Emery Dupes, Florida State, Fr., L, Exploratory
Audrey Koenig, Florida State, Fr., OH, Pre-Biology
Bianca Bertolino, Georgia Tech, Fr., OH, Biology
Mariana Brambilla***, Georgia Tech, Sr., RS, Psychology
Matti McKissock**, Georgia Tech, Sr., S, Business Administration
Breland Morrissette, Georgia Tech, Sr., MB, Business Administration
Claire Chaussee, Louisville, Sr., OH, Sport Administration
Anna DeBeer**, Louisville, So., OH, Health & Human Performance
Tori Dilfer***, Louisville, Gr., S, Marketing
Aiko Jones***, Louisville, R-Jr., OPP, Biology/Communications
Elena Scott, Louisville, Fr., L/DS, Undeclared
Anna Stevenson***, Louisville, Jr., MB, Sport Administration
Angela Grieve, Miami, Jr., OH, Sport Administration
Priscilla Hernandez, Miami, Sr., L, Management
Peyman Yardimci, Miami, Fr., OH, Business Technology
Mabrey Shaffmaster, North Carolina, Fr., OH, Exercise and Sport Science
Karenna Wurl**, North Carolina, Jr., L/DS, Media and Journalism
Melissa Evans**, NC State, Gr., OPP, Liberal Studies
Kaylee Frazier**, NC State, Gr., DS/L, Applied Statistics & Data Management
Taylor Rowland, NC State, Sr., OH, Elementary Education
Aubrey Hamilton**, Notre Dame, So., OH, Psychology
Lindsay Miller**, Notre Dame, So., MB, Environmental Sciences
Hattie Monson**, Notre Dame, So., L, Biological Sciences
Charley Niego, Notre Dame, Sr., OH, Management Consulting
Zoe Nunez**, Notre Dame, Sr., S, Marketing
Lexi Akeo**, Pitt, Jr., S, Accounting
Ashley Browske, Pitt, Jr., L/DS, Psychology
Kylee Levers, Pitt, Gr., S, Management
Kayla Lund****, Pitt, Gr., OH, Applied Developmental Psychology
Chinaza Ndee****, Pitt, Sr., RS, Psychology
Abby Casiano, Syracuse, Jr., MB, Food Studies
Elena Karakasi, Syracuse, Sr., S, Nutrition
Polina Shemanova****, Syracuse, Sr., OH, Communication & Rhetorical Studies and Linguistic Studies
Grace Turner, Virginia, Sr., OH, Educational Psychology (Masters)
Mary Shaffer, Virginia, So., RS/OH, Pre-Commerce
Griere Hughes, Virginia Tech, Sr., OH, Leadership
Logan Mosley, Virginia Tech, Jr., L/DS, Human Development
Brie Postema, Virginia Tech, So., S, Business
Natasha Vipond, Virginia Tech, Sr., MB, Civil Engineering
Andrea Fuentes, Wake Forest, Gr., S, Intercultural Services: Healthcare
Kamryn Malloy, Wake Forest, Gr., OH, Counseling
Ashley Slater**, Wake Forest, So., OH, Undeclared
Kalani Whillock, Wake Forest, Fr., DS/L, Undeclared
*denotes career All-ACC Academic honors
Players Mentioned
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