GREENWOOD, Ind -Steve Summer – The College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) named its Academic All-America teams for Division I volleyball on Thursday morning, with Kentucky senior standout Morgan Bergren being named to the Academic All-American First Team. Bergren adds to an already historical career, becoming the first Wildcat to ever be named to the CoSIDA Academic All-America First Team.
“What a very special honor for both Morgan and our program,” said 11th-season head coach Craig Skinner. “She’s earned every bit of it and has worked to have an extremely successful academic career and playing career. We’re all very proud of her.”
The senior from Muncie, Ind., carries a 3.73 GPA, majoring in Kinesiology with a concentration in physical education and health. The senior was also named one of 10 finalists for the Senior CLASS Award, honoring senior student-athletes for their excellence in the categories of character, classroom, community service and competition. Rounding out Bergren’s body of work off the court was a nod on the SEC Community Service team earlier this month after being involved in everything from bell ringing during the Holidays for the Salvation Army, to volunteering and visiting children and adults who are suffering at places like the Lexington VA, UK Children’s Hospital, Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Center and the Boys and Girls club.
Bergren, a 2014 AVCA second team All-America selection and two-time All-Southeastern Conference player, finished fourth in career assists at Kentucky all-time, tallying 3,814 over her career. She is just the fifth Kentucky player to ever amass more than 3,500 career assists and only one of 25 in Division I this season, with her career total also marking the most by any player during the 25-point rally scoring era in UK history. This season, she also registered 115 kills and 101 blocks – both of which led all SEC setters. Bergren was named SEC Player of the Week and SEC Setter of the Week once this season, along with being named to the Bluegrass Battle All-Tournament team.
Joining Bergren on the first team is Avery Acker of SMU, Amy Boswell of BYU, Paige Neuenfeldt of North Carolina, Emma Roberson of Cincinnati and fellow SEC player Sierra Wilson from Alabama.
Kentucky’s Memorial Coliseum will play host to the NCAA Regionals Dec. 11-12. UK is one of four sites selected for the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight matchups with one team advancing to the Final Four in Omaha, Neb., from the Lexington Region. This marks the third time in five seasons Memorial Coliseum will host this premier volleyball event. For more information, head to the Lexington Regional site. Tickets are available here.