11 Sep 2013 Conway volleyball program honored again for academics
by Donna Lampkin Stephens
Conway High School’s volleyball program recently got word that the 2012 squad received the American Volleyball Coaches Association Academic Award — again.
The combined GPA for the team for the 2012-13 academic year was 3.7.
“I was really proud of them,” Lady Cat coach Laura Crow said. “They are very well-rounded people and good volleyball players. They can prioritize. They have good time management skills and good heads on their shoulders. They seem to be going in the right direction. All those seniors will go on and do great things.”
Programs must be a member of the AVCA to be eligible for the award. Crow said coaches must send in their cumulative team GPA for each semester. The minimum to receive the award is 3.3.
The 3.7 “was the highest we’ve had in a while,” said Crow, now in her 12th season atop the Lady Cat program.
“I don’t know how many years in a row we’ve made it,” she said. “They’re a smart bunch. All five of our seniors (from last season) graduated with honors. That’s very unusual. I don’t want to say it’s the first time, but it’s the first I’m aware of.
“I was just real proud of them at graduation when I saw them all walking across the stage.”
The award honored McCall Wilkins, Sara Stovall, Abby Mann, Javan Massey and Molly Shipp, all of whom graduated in May, as well as current seniors Jada Benton, Courtney Campbell, Bailey McKee and Rachel Skinner and juniors Alexa Hreha and Sara Nethercutt. Matisse Monty and Gabby Roark were also a part of last year’s squad.
“It’s pretty much a regular award,” Crow said. “One year we missed it by a tenth of a point.”
