Nicole Sparks Named To 2012 Capital One/CoSIDA Division II Women's Volleyball All-Academic District 3 First Team

Nicole Sparks was named to the 2012 Capital One/CoSIDA Division II Women's Volleyball Academic All-District 3 First Team, as voted on by members of the College Sports Information Directors of America. By being selected to the first team, Sparks is now eligible for Academic All-America consideration.

A junior from Songtan, South Korea, Sparks has a perfect 4.0 grade point average majoring in biology. She earned a 2011-12 Division II Athletics Directors Association Academic Achievement Award and was named to the 2011-12 Conference Carolinas Presidential Honor Roll. Earlier this week, she was one of six Trojans named to the 2012 Conference Carolinas Women's Volleyball All-Academic Team.

On the court, Sparks is the Trojans' starting libero, playing and starting in all 28 matches. She ranked 10th in the conference overall with 3.35 digs per set and was sixth in Conference Carolinas with 3.64 digs per set. Sparks reached double figures in digs in 11 consecutive matches and finished the season with 18 matches in double figures. She recorded a career-high 27 digs against Millersville. Sparks tied for third on the team with 21 aces, including an ace on match point in Mount Olive's five-set win over previously regionally ranked USC Aiken.

Sparks is the second Trojan student-athlete to earn Academic All-District honors this season. Jen Floyd was named to the 2012 Capital One/CoSIDA Division II Women's Soccer Academic All-District 3 First Team.

The 2012 Capital One/CoSIDA Division II Women's Volleyball Academic All-America Team is scheduled to be announced December 12.