NEW YORK, NY -- University of Delaware senior outside hitter Colleen Walsh earned ESPN the Magazine/College Sports Information Directors of America first team Academic All-District honors for volleyball.

Walsh, an economics and finance major from Cleveland, OH, was among 15 players selected to the first and second teams in District 2 based on their academic and athletic accomplishments. The voting was conducted by sports information directors at member schools. All first team selections are now eligible for the Academic All-American team, which will be announced later in November.

To be eligible for the team, student-athletes must carry a 3.2 or better grade point index on a 4.0 scale, have at least sophomore eligibility, and be a starter or key reserve for their team. District 2 includes all NCAA Division I schools in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia, and Washington, DC.

Serving as a captain for the second straight year, Colleen Walsh has had an exceptional senior season. She currently leads the Colonial Athletic Association with 470 kills and a 4.43 kills-per-game average.

She is also sixth in the conference with a .276 hitting percentage.

A preseason first team All-CAA selection this year, Walsh has earned second team All-Conference honors the last two seasons. Earlier this year, she became Delaware’s all-time career kills leader with 1,762. Her 3.85 kills-per-game average is also the highest in school history.

Off the court, Walsh has excelled in the classroom and around the community. She has volunteered her time with Urban Promise, the Special Olympics, and Delaware Christian Athletes along with several other community service programs.

Last year, Colleen earned ESPN the Magazine / CoSIDA second team All-District honors, while she has been a perennial pick on the CAA Academic Honor Roll.

AGATE:
ESPN The Magazine/College Sports Information Directors of American District 2 Volleyball All-Academic 1st team:
Rachel Dougherty (Navy), Kailee Goold (West Virginia), Colleen Walsh (Delaware), Beth Gillming (Maryland), Rubena Sukaj (American), Christa Harmotto (Penn State).

2nd team:
Meagan Dooley (Pittsburgh), Maggie Wright (George Washington), Lindsey Neighbors (Towson), Melissa Walbridge (Penn State), Jenni Gross (Duquesne), Alaina Gibson (Robert Morris), Melissa Bellomy (Seton Hall), Parker Henritze (Princeton), Shannon Pitsch (Bucknell).