Hommell, Smith Named Academic All-Big 12

April 24, 2007

DALLAS — KU juniors Lauren Hommell and Stephanie Smith were each named Academic All-Big 12 on Tuesday, the conference offices announced. Smith joins 31 others on the women’s first team, while Hommell is one of 12 student-athletes to be named second team.

Smith also garnered first-team Academic All-Big 12 honors last season.

Hommell and Smith join an elite group of athletes who excel both on the courts and in the classroom. In order to be named first team, athletes must maintain a GPA of 3.20 or better, while a 3.0 is required for inclusion on the second team.

A Roswell, Ga., native, Hommell has compiled an overall record of 4-16 in singles play during the spring and fall, while Smith, who hails from Salina, Kan., has gone 12-15 overall. Hommell competed in the No. 4 singles position and No. 2 doubles slot for the majority of the season, while Smith played No. 6 singles and No. 3 doubles.

Smith is majoring in Business Administration, while Hommell is a Community Health/Pre-Nursing student.

Kansas will open play at the Big 12 Championships in Kansas City on Thursday at 1:30, where they will compete as the No. 11 seed.

Visit http://www.big12sports.com/sports/c-tennis/spec-rel/042407aaa.html for a complete list of the 2007 Academic All-Big 12 teams.