Simpson, Nelson named to Academic All-Big 12 Teams

IRVING, Texas – Senior Gabby Simpson and junior Allie Nelson have been named to the 2018 Academic All-Big 12 Volleyball First and Second Teams, respectively, as announced by the conference office today.

The duo are the first to be named to the Big 12 all-academic teams since 2016 when eight KU athletes were selected. 

Simpson, a liberal arts & science major, carries a 3.57 GPA and ranks second on the team in assists (424/4.82 per set) and fourth in kills (133) . The Colorado Springs, Colo., native ranks 10th in the Big 12 with 5.98 assists per set in conference action. 

The all-academic honor is Simpson’s third, the senior earned All-Pac 12 Academic Honorable Mention at Colorado in 2015 and 2016. 

Nelson, a finance major, holds a 3.15 GPA and serves as the Kansas libero. The Chicago, Ill., native is second in the Big 12 with 4.74 digs per set in conference play and averages 3.67 per set in the 23 matches KU has played this season. 

The 2018 Academic All-Big 12 Volleyball Team consists of 66 student-athletes with 59 representing the first team and seven on the second team. 

First team members consist of those who have maintained a 3.20 or better GPA while the second team selections hold a 3.00 to 3.19 GPA.

To qualify, student-athletes must maintain a 3.00 GPA or higher either cumulative or the two previous semesters and must have participated in 20 percent of their team’s scheduled contests. Freshmen and transfers are not eligible in their first year of academic residence. Senior student-athletes who have participated for a minimum of two years and meet all the criteria except percent of participation are also eligible.