Senior setter Kate Van Dyke has been named one of 30 candidates for the Senior CLASS Award, announced Thursday.

To be eligible for the award, the student-athlete must be classified as a NCAA Division I senior and have high achievements in four areas of excellence: community, classroom, character, and competition.

Van Dyke holds Georgia Southern University’s record in career assists with 4,578. Van Dyke was named Most Outstanding Player at the 2010 SoCon Tournament, and she ranks 34^th in the country and second in the SoCon in assists this season.

The 2012 candidate class includes 24 of 30 student-athletes who have maintained a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or better. 16 American Volleyball Coaches Association All-Americans from last season also make up the candidate class.

From the 30 candidates, a committee will then select 10 finalists for the award, those 10 student-athletes will have their names placed on an official ballot that will be sent through a nationwide voting system to coaches, media, and fans who will select one candidate to win the award.

The award winner will be announced at the 2012 NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Championship, on December 13 and 15.