Towson, Md. – December 11, 2012 - For the first time in her career, Springfield College women's volleyball student-athlete Tessa Smolinski was named to the Capital One Academic All-America Second Team.A junior outside hitter from Hebron, Conn., Smolinski has recorded a perfect 4.00 grade point average while majoring in Communication Disorders. Due to her play, Springfield College advanced to its third-straight trip to the NCAA Division III Women's Volleyball Championship before bowing out in the regional semifinal.
Smolinski has racked up plenty of awards this postseason for her efforts on the court, including earning AVCA All-America second team honors. This year, she produced a team-best 467 kills, averaging 3.74 per set, while hitting .286. She wrapped up the year ranked second on the team in digs with 451, and added 37 aces and 32 blocks.
A year ago, Smolinski was named winner of the prestigious Elite 89 Award, presented to the player at the NCAA Championship with the highest grade point average.
Moira Long will enter her third season as head women's volleyball coach in the fall of 2013. Long wasted little time putting her stamp on the program, taking the Pride to the NCAA Championship Elite Eight in 2011.
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