CoSIDA Academic All-District At-Large Team
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Marisa Doran, a senior on the University of New Mexico beach volleyball team, was named to the 2017 College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-District 7 At-Large Team on Thursday.
Doran, originally from Orange, California, became the first player in program history to be recognized as an Academic All-District selection, earning her spot after registering a 3.95 GPA in her pursuit of her biology degree.
“This recognition is truly an honor and a great way to finish my senior year,” Doran said. “Many thanks to everyone that helped me throughout the season.”
A team captain for New Mexico during the 2017 season, Doran posted an 18-7 record playing primarily out of the No. 3 position. Along with partner Eastyn Baleto, Doran tallied wins over No. 9 Arizona State, No. 12 Georgia State, No. 14 Stetson, No. 15 TCU and No. 20 California.
Doran won at least four straight matches twice, including a stretch of six wins in a row.
She finished her career tied for third in program history in individual wins with 41 and, along with Baleto, owns the program record in pairs wins with 41.
She was also named to the 2017 All-MW SAAC Community Service Team and has earned Academic All-Mountain West honors for indoor volleyball in 2015 and 2016.
“I am so proud of Marisa becoming our first ever beach Academic All-District winner,” UNM head coach Jeff Nelson said. “She is a great student-athlete and has played a big role in our beach program. Congrats to her for all of her hard work.”
The all-district teams are made up of eligible athletes (3.3 GPA or higher; at least a sophomore and no first year students/transfers) from all Division I schools in Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas and Wyoming.
The at-large team is also one of the most difficult teams to make, as the women’s at-large team comprises athletes from 14 different NCAA sports. Doran is one of five players in all of NCAA Beach Volleyball to be named First-Team Academic All-District.
Doran, who is the ninth Academic All-District selection this year for UNM as a whole, is also now in contention to earn Academic All-America honors.
CoSIDA Academic All-America honors will be announced in June.
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