November 18, 2003
Texas A&M's Rebecca Wynalda and Tara Pulaski were named to the Volleyball Academic All-Big 12 first team, the conference office announced today. In addition, Wynalda was distinguished as being the only student-athlete on the 50-member Big 12 Academic Team to sport a cumulative 4.00 grade-point average (GPA).
A senior from Kennedale, Texas, Wynalda is averaging 1.94 digs per game for the No. 21 Aggies, who lead the Big 12 in dig average for both the full season and in Big 12 matches only. The libero/defensive specialist, who is making her second consecutive appearance on the Academic All-Big 12 Team, has reached double figures in digs in four matches, including a season-high 17 in a five-game win against Southwest Missouri State.
Wynalda, who was named to the 2003 Academic All-District VI volleyball first team by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) earlier this month, is a member of the Professional Program in Accounting at Texas A&M and is concurrently pursuing both a bachelor's degree in accounting and a master's degree in finance. She is slated to graduate with dual degrees in August.
Pulaski, who also is pursuing both a bachelor's degree in accounting and a master's degree in management information systems as a member of A&M's Professional Program in Accounting, is making her fourth consecutive appearance on the academic first team. A senior middle blocker from Encinitas, Calif., Pulaski has played in 23 of 26 matches for the Aggies this season and is quickly moving up in the A&M career records. She is currently listed fourth in the career annals with a .307 hitting percentage, sixth in block assists with 296 and 10th in total blocks with 337.
Nominated by each institution's student-athlete support services and sports information offices, the volleyball academic all-league squad consists of 42 first-team members and eight members on the second team. First-team members have maintained a 3.2 or better GPA, while the second team members are those who have a 3.0 to 3.19 GPA.
To qualify, student-athletes must maintain a 3.00 GPA or higher either cumulative of for the two previous semesters and must have participated in 60 percent of her team's scheduled matches. Freshmen and transfers are not eligible their first year of academic residence. Senior student-athletes who have participated for a minimum of two years and meet all the criteria except percent of participation are eligible.
The Aggies (19-7, 11-5 Big 12) return to action Wednesday when they play host to the Baylor Bears. First serve is at 7 p.m. at G. Rollie White Coliseum.