Four Jayhawks Named to Academic All-Big 12 Team

April 22, 2008

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Four University of Kansas student-athletes were named Academic All-Big 12, including three on the first team, the conference office announced on Tuesday.

Seniors Elizaveta Avdeeva and Stephanie Smith and sophomore Kunigunda Dorn were each named first team, meaning they all carry GPA’s of over 3.20. Senior Lauren Hommell was named second team as well, a distinction for student-athletes with a GPA of 3.0-3.2.

Smith, a Salina, Kan., native, is on the All-Academic team for the third time in her career. The Business major also received the honor in 2006 and 2007.

Avdeeva and Hommell are both making their second appearances on the team. Hommell, a Community Health major, was a second-team selection in 2007, while Avdeeva, a Communication Studies major, was first team in 2006.

This season is the first time Dorn, a Strategic Communications major, has made the team.

All four student-athletes are enjoying successful seasons on the court as well. Avdeeva recently became KU’s all-time leader in Big 12 doubles wins, while Hommell finished second on the team in dual play with 10 singles wins.

Dorn teamed with Hommell to go 6-5 in Big 12 doubles action while adding nine singles victories, and Smith went a respectable 5-4 in singles play.

Overall, 27 student-athletes were named to the first team, while nine were awarded second team honors.

The Jayhawks open play as the No. 5 seed at the Big 12 Championships against Iowa State on Wednesday at 10 a.m. in College Station, Texas.