Brown Named CoSIDA Academic All-America Second-Team
December 15, 2021 | Volleyball
News
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Illinois volleyball redshirt-junior Diana Brown was named to the 2021 Academic All-America Second-Team as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA), the organization announced on Wednesday (December 15).
Brown becomes the fifth Illini in program history to take home this prestigious honor, joining former standouts Anna Dorn (Second-Team in 2014), Johannah Bangert (First-Team in 2010), Laura Bush (First-Team in 1989 and 1990) and Disa Johnson (Second-Team in 1987). She is one of just eight student-athletes of the 21 members named to the three Academic All-America teams to boast a perfect 4.0 GPA as well as being one of two Big Ten Conference representatives on the teams.
Brown, who earned her second-straight Academic All-District First-Team honor for district 5 earlier in the season, owns a 4.00 GPA in molecular and cellular biology. The honor, which is selected by CoSIDA members, recognizes the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances on the field and in the classroom.
The Columbus, Ohio native was one of two Illini to start all 34 matches on the season, helping lead Illinois to its third NCAA Regional appearance under head coach Chris Tamas in 2021. She handed out 1,310 assists for a 10.31 assists per set mark, while directing UI to a .229 team hitting percentage. She paced the team with 16 double-doubles, ranking second in digs (309), fourth in blocks (75) and fifth in service aces (28) on the team. She is a two-time Big Ten Distinguished Scholar and Academic All-Big Ten honoree.
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