December 12, 2000
Texas A&M defensive specialist Beth Weynand is one of 22 student-athletes across the nation to be selected to the 2000 Verizon Academic All-America University Division Women's Volleyball Team, the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) announced Tuesday.
"It is no surprise Beth is receiving this national award," A&M volleyball coach Laurie Corbelli said. "She is one of the most dedicated athletes and students I have ever been associated with.
"It is very difficult these days to be a student-athlete with all of the requirements set by professors and coaches, but Beth is very good at blending academics and athletics and seeing great success at both."
Weynand, who was named to the third team, advanced to the national ballot after being voted to the six-member Academic All-District VI Team by CoSIDA members in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. To be eligible for academic honors, student-athletes must be a starter or important reserve, have at least a 3.20 cumulative grade-point average and have achieved at least sophomore athletic and academic status. In addition, the student-athlete must have participated in at least 50 percent of the team's games.
Weynand, who recently completed her junior year of athletic eligibility but is a senior academically, has maintained a perfect 4.0 grade point average while pursuing her degree in biomedical science. On the court, the Austin, Texas, native started 16 matches and was one of only two Aggies to see action in all 98 games this year for nationally ranked A&M after sitting out the 1999 season with a torn ACL. Weynand finished the 2000 season averaging 1.92 digs per game after helping the Aggies post a 20-9 record and reach the second round of the NCAA tournament.
A two-time member of the Academic All-Big 12 Volleyball first team, Weynand also is a two-time All-American Athlete by the National Strength and Conditioning Association and a three-time GTE/Texas A&M Outstanding Scholar (4.0 grade point average) and recipient of the A&M volleyball academic award. In addition, she is a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, the Golden Key National Honor Society of Collegiate Scholars and Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority.
Weynand becomes the fourth player in A&M volleyball history to be named an academic All-American. Lisa Johnson earned second-team honors in 1982. Elizabeth Edmiston was named to the third team in 1991 and the first team in 1992, and Kim Mitchell was a second-team selection in 1992 and a first-team honoree in 1993.
The following is the complete list of the 2000 Verizon Academic All-America University Division Women's Volleyball Team:
(First Team)
Name, School Position Class Hometown GPA, Major
Kyleen Bell (Georgia Tech) Middle Blocker Junior Rocklin, Calif. 3.95, Management
Jami Coughlin (Arizona State) Outside Hitter Junior Glendale, Ariz. 4.00, Education
Michelle Green (Alabama) Outside Hitter Senior Rolla, Mo. 3.84, Secondary Education
Jeanne Lambert (Coastal Carolina) Outside Hitter Junior Burnsville, Minn. 4.00, Biology/Business Management
+Tamara Luckemeyer (Texas-San Antonio) Outside Hitter Senior Katy, Texas 3.90, Biology
Emily Sallee (Ball State) Setter Senior Muncie, Ind. 3.74, Elementary Education
Gina Schmidt (Oregon State) Outside Hitter Junior Beaverlodge, Alberta 4.00, Business
(Second Team)
Name, School Position Class Hometown GPA, Major
Elisabeth Bachman (UCLA) Middle Blocker Senior Lakeville, Minn. 3.65, Communications
Kim Frederick (Manhattan) Middle Blocker Junior Orange, Calif. 3.98, Computer Science
April Harriman (Memphis) Outside Hitter Senior Los Angeles, Calif. 3.97, Political Science/Communications
Jill Levey (George Washington) Setter Senior Bakersfield, Calif. 3.80, Speech/Hearing Science
Carla Muntz (Dayton) Setter Senior Spring Valley, Ill. 3.94, Pre-Medicine
Laura Pilakowski (Nebraska) Outside Hitter Soph. Columbus, Neb. 3.91, Advertising
(Third Team)
Name, School Position Class Hometown GPA, Major
Amanda Burbridge (Arizona State) Outside Hitter Senior Scottsdale, Ariz. 3.43, Sociology
Natalie Furry (Western Kentucky) Outside Hitter Junior Normal, Ill. 3.91, Computer Information Systems
Jill Gremmel (Texas) Setter Senior Dubuque, Iowa 3.71, Elementary Education
Krista Haukap (Southeast Missouri) Outside Hitter Senior Aviston, Ill. 3.67, Communications Disorders
Angela Knopf (Colorado State) Middle Blocker Junior Troutsdale, Ore. 3.71, Mathematics
Keri Nishimoto (Long Beach State) Setter/Def. Spec. Junior Redlands, Calif. 3.96, Computer Science
Stacy Schmidt (Texas-San Antonio) Outside Hitter Junior Bellville, Texas 3.95, Health
Lindsay Westendorf (Southern Mississippi) Outside Hitter Junior Baytown, Texas 3.96, Management Information Systems
Beth Weynand (Texas A&M) Def. Specialist Junior Austin, Texas 4.00, Biomedical Science
Verizon Academic All-America of the Year: Tamara Luckemeyer (Texas-San Antonio)