Eight Volleyball Bulldogs Named To SEC Academic Honor Roll

STARKVILLE, Miss. - Eight members of the Mississippi State University volleyball team have been named to the 2010 SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll announced this week in Birmingham, Ala., by the Southeastern Conference.

Two seniors, Ashley Newsome (Florence, Ala.) and Kayla Woodard (Addison, Ala.), earned academic all-conference recognition for the fourth time. Juniors Caitlin Rance (Kingwood, Texas) and Faith Steinwedell (La Jolla, Calif.) received SEC Academic Honor Roll distinction for the third time, while a trio of players, Chanelle Baker (Carrollton, Texas), Kellye Jordan (Jasper, Ala.) and Mandy Mellencamp (Prescott, Ariz.) became two-time recipients. Sophomore Hillary Parker (College Station, Texas) earned her initial SEC honor roll selection.

"We are proud of the academic achievements of our student-athletes and their commitment to excellence both on the volleyball court and in the classroom," said MSU head volleyball coach Jenny Hazlewood. "Mississippi State volleyball has a strong tradition of success in the classroom and we are thrilled to see that tradition continue to grow."

MSU matched a program-best a year ago when nine Volleyball Bulldogs were named to the 2009 SEC Academic Honor Roll following Hazelwood's first season as head coach at MSU. Hazelwood, a standout player for MSU from 1997-2000, capped her playing career as the program's first four-time academic all-conference honoree.

Mississippi State placed 70 student-athletes from its three fall sports (football, soccer and volleyball) on the 2010 SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll.  

The list of MSU volleyball honorees could expand following the 2010-11 academic year when the SEC announces the 2010-11 Freshman Honor Roll.