Kate Van Dyke named candidate for Senior CLASS Award

Jackie Gutknecht

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 34th 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.