By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

SALEM, ORE. -- Shannon Waltz (Sr., MH, Honolulu, HI/La Pietra School for Girls) from the Willamette University volleyball team has been named First Team Capital One Academic All-District VIII in NCAA Division III as chosen by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). Waltz was one of just seven volleyball players in the western United States chosen for the honor.

Waltz is majoring in Economics at Willamette. She has earned a 3.98 cumulative grade point average.

As a First Team Academic All-District selection, Waltz is eligible for the Capital One NCAA Division III Academic All-America Team, which will be released on December 10.

First Team Capital One Academic All-District

Shannon Waltz leads the Northwest Conference with a .339 hitting percentage. She has recorded 187 kills in 23 matches (87 sets) for an average of 2.15 kills per set. She ranks second on the Willamette roster this season with 67 total blocks and an average of 0.77 blocks per set.

She earned a career-high 20 kills in her final match for the Bearcats on Nov. 9, as she helped lead Willamette to a 3-2 win at George Fox University.

Waltz completed her WU career with 534 kills and an average of 1.79 kills per set. She saw action in 90 matches and a total of 298 sets. She achieved an impressive .286 career hitting percentage.

She also accumulated 253 total blocks during her career with 37 block solos and 216 block assists. She registered a career-high nine total blocks against Whitworth University on Sept. 22, 2012. In addition, she produced 69 service aces and 139 digs while playing for the Bearcats.

CoSIDA District VIII

CoSIDA District VIII includes colleges and universities in the western United States. Athletes nominated for the Capital One Academic All-District Team were starters or key reserves with cumulative GPAs of 3.3 or higher (4.0 scale). Each athlete was at her current college or university for at least one academic year.