The accolades continue to roll in for Alabama senior Leah Lawrence, who was selected to the 2017 CoSIDA Academic All-America Volleyball third team, it was announced Monday.
The Academic All-America selection is the first of Lawrence’s career, following a second-consecutive Academic All-Region honor earlier this season. The award is the seventh in Crimson Tide program history and the fifth under head coach Ed Allen. At least one Alabama volleyball student-athlete has earned Academic All-America distinction every year since 2014, as Lawrence joins former teammates and two-time winners Sierra Wilson (2014-15) and Krystal Rivers (2014, 2016) in the group.
“I’m so grateful for this honor,” Lawrence said. “I would like to thank God, my coaches and teammates, the University of Alabama and our athletics department, my family, friends and the Alabama volleyball fans. I couldn’t have achieved anything without all the support I have received. Thank you all so much!”
On the court, Lawrence started all 32 matches for the Crimson Tide this season, leading the team with 279 kills, a .313 hitting percentage and 123 blocks. In the Nov. 12 match vs. Tennessee, she broke Alabama’s career blocks record that had stood for 15 years, ultimately finishing her four-year career with 449. She also ranks second in career block assists (358) and is third in solo blocks (91) and matches played (129).
