Nov. 19, 2002

WACO, Texas - Baylor sophomore libero Kara Kennedy was named first-team Academic all-Big 12 Conference, the league office announced Tuesday. Kennedy is one of 50 student-athletes so honored by the Big 12 this season.

Nominated by each institution's director of student-athlete support services and the media relations offices, the volleyball academic all-league squad consisted of 41 combined first-team members with 11 on the second team. First-team members consist of those who have maintained a 3.2 or better grade point average, while the second team are those who have a 3.0 to 3.19 GPA.

To qualify student-athletes must maintain a 3.0 grade point average or higher either cumulative or the two previous semesters and must have participated in 60 percent of her team's scheduled contests. Freshmen and transfers are not eligible in 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.

Kennedy, a product of Canyon High School in New Braunfels, Texas, is a pre-business major. She has averaged 1.51 digs per game this season with five 10-dig matches. Kennedy posted a career-best 17 digs Oct. 9 in Baylor's 3-0 victory over Texas Tech.

Since the inception of the Big 12 Conference in 1996, 16 Baylor volleyball players have received academic all-conference honors 33 times. That total ranks third in the conference behind only Nebraska and Kansas State. The Huskers and the Wildcats led the conference again this year with seven members each, while Colorado had six recipients.

Baylor returns to action Wednesday, traveling to Columbia, Mo., for a 7 p.m. match at No. 22 Missouri.