The Kalamazoo College volleyball team had four players selected to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team, as announced on Tuesday (Dec. 12). The student-athletes selected were Rachel Meston, Brittany Miller, Lizzy Rachiele, and Sara Reathaford.
To be selected for the award, the student-athlete must be a starter or an important reserve with at least a 3.50 cumulative GPA, have played at least 90% or start in 66% of their team's competitions, and be at least a sophomore academically and athletically.
A mainstay in the back line for the Hornets as a defensive specialist, Meston played in all 23 matches and led the team in service aces while being third in digs. She finished her sophomore season with 253 receptions, 175 digs, 29 service aces, five assists, and 30 points. Meston is double majoring in mathematics and psychology, holding a 3.78 cumulative GPA.
Miller was one of the leading hitters for Kalamazoo in her sophomore campaign, starting in 20 of the 23 matches played. She was second on the team in kills and points, third in attacking percentage and receptions, and was selected to the All-Tournament Team at Bluffton's Sommer Center Spiketacular. Miller finished the year with 135 kills, a .139 attacking percentage, 146 points, 273 receptions, 99 digs, 15 blocks, and 11 assists. She currently has a 3.96 cumulative GPA while majoring in chemistry.
As the libero for the Hornets, Rachiele played in all 23 matches, leading the team in digs and receptions, was second in service aces, and was selected to the All-Tournament Team at Bluffton's Sommer Center Spiketacular. She ended her junior season with 475 receptions, 320 digs, 75 assists, 15 service aces, and 18 points. Rachiele is double majoring in psychology and English and holds a cumulative GPA of 3.69.
Reathaford led the team in assists as a part of a two-setter system in her junior season after starting in 18 of the 23 matches played. She ended the year with 287 assists, 130 digs, 11 service aces, 22 kills, a .276 attacking percentage, and 33 points. Reathaford has a 3.90 cumulative GPA while double majoring in ANSO and Spanish.
Now that the four student-athletes have made the district team, they will move on to the CSC Academic All-American ballot, which will be announced in early January.