GEROLSTEIN NAMED ACADEMIC ALL-DISTRICT FIRST-TEAM
SENIOR AWARDED FOR HARD WORK ON COURT AND IN CLASSROOM

AIKEN, S.C.-- USC Aiken junior Mandy Gerolstein has been named to to the ESPN The Magazine CoSIDA Academic All-District III First-Team for the second-straight season. The award adds to a long list of honors for her excellence both on and off the court over the past four seasons.

The 6’1” middle hitter from Millersville, Md., has maintained a 3.97 grade point average as a biology major during her time at USC Aiken. This marks the third-straight year Gerolstein has been tabbed Academic All-District. She was a second-team selection in 2005 and a first-team pick in 2006.

To qualify, a student-athlete must be of at least sophomore standing, have been enrolled at their current school for at least one year, have a minimum 3.2 grade point average, and be a starter or significant reserve on their team. District III is comprised of NCAA Division II and III schools in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. The 11-member First and Second Teams are selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) with the First-Team going on the national ballot for Academic All-America voting. The CoSIDA program is the only one that may use the copyrighted term “Academic All-American”.

In the classroom, Gerolstein has been named to the Dean’s List, the Athletic Director’s Honor Roll, and the Peach Belt Conference Honor Roll.

The senior middle hitter led the Lady Pacers (26-4) to the 2007 PBC Regular Season and Tournament championships for the second-straight year, notching a return trip to the NCAA Tournament later this week. She was tabbed last week as the PBC Player of the Year and named All-Conference for the third time. Gerolstein hit .407 to lead the league and rank in the top 10 in the nation. She was third in kills per game (3.74) seventh in blocks (0.94).

A four-time PBC Player of the Week selection, Gerolstein ranks third all-time in school history with 1,443 career kills and second with 484 career blocks. In earning her third-straight All-Conference selection, Gerolstein becomes just the fourth Lady Pacer to accomplish that feat, joining Susanna Ruotsalainen (1996-98), Roxanna Rivera (1994-95, 1997), and four-time honoree Merrill (1994-97).

USC Aiken’s 26 wins are tied for the third most in the program’s 17-year NCAA era. The four losses are the fewest since the inaugural team went 23-3 in 1978 while the .867 winning percentage is second only to that same season.

The Lady Pacers open play in the NCAA Tournament on Thursday, November 15, against the top seed and host in the South Region, Tampa. The game against the Spartans, ranked second nationally, starts at 7:00 PM.

2007 CoSIDA Academic All-District III
Volleyball -- College Division
November 14, 2007

First-Team
Mandy Gerolstein, USC Aiken
Cara Coleman, Newberry
Melissa Deluca, Wingate
Margeaux Sinibaldi, Tampa
Joy Daniles, Greensboro
Courtney Butrym, Coker