Springfield, Mass. -- November 13, 2012 -- Tessa Smolinski of the Springfield College women's volleyball team has been named CoSIDA Academic All-District I as voted upon by the College Sports Information Directors of America.A junior outside hitter from Hebron, Conn., Smolinski has recorded a perfect 4.00 GPA to date while concentrating on her major of Communication Disorders.
In order to qualify for CoSIDA All-Academic status, one must be an upper classman and have a GPA of 3.30 or above.
Springfield College just completed its season by finishing 27-8 overall, 7-2 in the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference. The team went on to reach the semifinals of the NCAA Division III New England Regionals before falling to Bowdoin.
Smolinski has already earned several awards this fall. She recently was named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association All-Region team. She also has been named First Team All- NEWMAC, and NEWMAC All-Academic for the second straight year.
A year ago, Smolinski was named winner of the prestigious Elite 89 Award, presented to the player at the NCAA Elite 8 with the highest GPA.
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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