Scott Kretzmann
ASC Sports
Information Director
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – After earning second team recognition in both 2009 and 2010, Adams State senior libero AJ Palmer (Colorado Springs, Colo.) has been named as a 2011 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) Volleyball First Team All-Academic Team selection, while four other Grizzlies were named to the Honor Roll, it was announced Tuesday.
Joining Palmer were first-time academic honorees in junior Kelsey Huckle (Gunnison, Colo.), sophomore Megan Tapia (Pueblo, Colo.), and redshirt-freshmen Mikaela Hoelsken (Littleton, Colo.) and Megan Velasquez (Johnstown, Colo.).
To qualify for Academic All-RMAC, student-athletes must have a grad point average of 3.30 or better, be a starter or reserve, and have completed two consecutive semesters or three quarters at their current institution. Sports Information Directors from school’s that sponsor the sport of volleyball selected first and second teams, and a setter and defensive specialist were required on each ballot.
Palmer, a mainstay in the Grizzlies’ starting lineup for the last four seasons who has not missed a match, currently ranks fourth in ASC’s Division II era (1992-present) in sets played (395) and seventh in matches played (102). She owns a 3.66 GPA in the HPPE program, and has been named to the Grizzlies’ A.D.’s Honor Roll six times. She is the Grizzlies’ first first-team honoree since 2009.
A standout libero, Palmer currently ranks second in Adams States’ DII era with 1,450 digs, and her 74 career service aces rank 10th. She has recorded 301 digs this season and added 13 aces.
Huckle, also a student in the HPPE program at Adams State, owns a 3.58 GPA. A member of the track & field squad as well, Huckle has been named to A.D.’s Honor Roll on four occasions. As a defensive specialist, Huckle currently ranks second for the Grizzlies this season with 170 digs, and third with 16 aces.
An outside hitter who has taken on a large role in the Grizzlies’ attack as a sophomore this season, Tapia owns a 3.75 GPA as a psychology major, and has been a member of the A.D.’s Honor Roll the last two semesters. Her hitting percentage of .274 is a team best, having recorded 162 kills against 53 errors on 398 attempts. She also ranks second for ASC with 22 aces, has 80 digs to her credit, and has had her hand on 38 bocks this season.
Velasquez owns the highest GPA of the five Grizzlies to be recognized this year, carrying a 3.79 in interdisciplinary studies. A 2-time A.D.’s Honor Roll member, she’s played in eight matches this fall, she has two service aces to her credit.
Hoelsken, an outside hitter, carries a 3.54 GPA in business administration and has been listed on the A.D.’s Honor Roll twice. In 17 matches this season, she ranks fifth on the squad with 113 kills and has tallied 10 service aces.
This year was the second straight that ASC has had five athletes selected to the All-RMAC squad.
Photo Courtesy ASC Sports Information: Senior Labero AJ Palmer
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