Brink, Phelps Garner Southland All-Academic Honors

FULL SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE RELEASE

CORPUS CHRISTI – Senior Brianna Brink not only continues to impress with her on-court achievements, but off the court as well, as she was named to the Southland Conference All-Academic First Team, the league announced today. It marks the first career honor for Brink. Fellow senior Ashley Phelps was named to the second team for the first time in her career.

"It's always a great honor to see our players named to the all-academic team and it's very fitting to see Ashley and Brianna recognized," head coach Tony Graystone said. "They have been the face of our program for the last couple of years and continue to lead and represent Islanders volleyball even after their playing careers have ended." 

Brink, who was named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Division I Southwest Region First Team on Tuesday, powered the Islanders' offense all season while achieving a 3.28 GPA. She closed out her senior season with a team-high 3.65 kills per set.

The Corona, Calif. native also earned First Team All-Southland honors for the first time in her career in November as well as a spot on the Southland All-Tournament team. She put together a historic senior season, as she became the Islanders' all-time career kill (1,392) and attack (3,812) leader, while setting the Islanders' record for a single season with 471 kills. 

Brink is on track to graduate in May with a degree in psychology and plans on getting her master's degree at Texas A&M - Corpus Christi. 

Phelps picks up her first all-academic honor after earning a team-high 3.71 GPA. She was nothing short of a warrior as she battled through injuries in her four-year career, and had a strong senior year as she finished second on the team with 313 kills and 2.77 kills pet set. She earned Southland Conference honorable mention honors for the first time in her career and was a strong vocal leader on the court.

The Conifer, Colo. native is an active member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and serves as the secretary and treasurer. She is slated to graduate in May with a degree in communication.

Brink and Phelps ended their playing careers with the most wins in program history with 73 in their four years.

"Ashley and Bri have always been great student-athletes and taken their academic success very seriously," Graystone added. "I know they are going to have very successful futures and I'm proud to have spent the past four years with them." 

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2014 Southland Conference Volleyball All-Academic Teams

^{^}2014 Southland Volleyball Student-Athlete of the Year

&CoSIDA Academic All-American

%CoSIDA Academic All-District

1First-Team All-Conference

²Two-time All-Academic selection

3Three-time All-Academic selection