Trio Named Academic All-Big 12

AMES, Iowa - Senior Cassie Pratt and sophomore Jamie Straube were named to the 2010 Academic All-Big 12 Volleyball First Team, the league office announced Tuesday. Junior Caitlin Mahoney was named to the academic second team. It is the first academic honor for all three student-athletes.

A second-year starter at middle blocker for the Cyclones, Straube is earning a degree in kinesiology while maintaining a 3.97 cumulative grade point average. On the court, the Tecumseh, Neb. native leads the team in hitting percentage (.321) and blocks per set (1.14). She is ranked sixth in the Big 12 in both categories.

From West Point, Iowa, Pratt carries a 3.70 GPA in her final year with the Cyclones. Pratt, also a kinesiology major, is coming off the bench for the Cyclones as a defensive specialist this year, seeing action in eight matches including against Nebraska in Ames and at Oklahoma.

Mahoney, a native of Omaha, Neb., is a marketing major at Iowa State with a 3.13 GPA. The defensive specialist has started in nine of the Cyclones' matches in 2010, seeing action in all 24 contests, recording a career-high 19 digs at Baylor earlier this year.

Nominated by each institution's director of student-athlete support services, the volleyball academic all-league squad consisted of 38 first team members combined with 13 on the second team. First team members consist of those who have maintained a 3.20 or better GPA, and the second team are those who have a 3.00 to 3.19 GPA.

To qualify student-athletes must maintain a 3.00 GPA or higher either cumulative or the two previous semesters and must have participated in 60 percent of their 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 also eligible.

Straube, Pratt and Mahoney are back in action tonight at 7 p.m. as the No. 16 Cyclones (17-7, 10-6 Big 12) take on the Colorado Buffaloes (6-17, 3-14) at Hilton Coliseum.

Players Mentioned

Caitlin Mahoney

Caitlin Mahoney

Cassie Pratt

Cassie Pratt

Jamie Straube

Jamie Straube

Sponsors

Iowa State University Athletics