Four Pioneer volleyball players tabbed Academic All-OAC in 2006

Nov. 16, 2006
MARIETTA, Ohio — The Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) announced the 2006 Academic All-OAC volleyball winners Thursday (Nov. 16) morning and four Pioneers received recognition. Seniors Ellen Doolittle (Louisville,Ky./DuPont Manual) and Paige Burton (Fairlawn/Archbishop Hoban) as well as junior Jessica Craig (Uniontown/Lake) earned Academic All-OAC honors, while senior Jaymi Stephens (Hilliard/Hilliard Davidson) was given honorable mention.

Doolittle, a second team All-OAC selection, closed out her career by setting seven single-match records this fall and finished as the all-time leader in total blocks (364), while second in service aces (207) and fourth in kills (966). In addition, Doolittle tied the single-season school record for block assists (88) this fall. Doolittle also peppered the single-season top-five lists. She was second in blocks per game (1.55), third in solo blocks (59), fourth in service aces (78) and fifth in service aces per game (0.84) and in kills per game (3.57). Off the court, the advertising & public relations major maintains a 3.887 grade point average while juggling many extra curricular activities. Doolittle, who was also named Academic All-OAC in 2004 and 2005 and ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District in 2006, is the Student-Athlete Advisory Council and Student Alumni Council President and a Resident Assistant for Residence Life.

Craig, a defensive specialist who played in 50 games this season, finished with 71 digs. She also earned Academic All-OAC honorable mention as a sophomore. Off the floor, Craig holds a 3.881 grade point average as a biology major, while also serving as the Vice President of Student Alumni Council, President of Alpha Lambda Delta and a Resident Assistant for Residence Life.

Burton, a three-year starter at outside hitter, finished the year third in kills (179) and second in total digs (329). It is the second year that the marketing major, who maintains a 3.527 grade point average, received academic recognition, having earned honorable mention in 2005.

Stephens, a three-year starter at outside hitter, was second on the team in kills (299) and hitting percentage (.238) this year. The international business and Spanish major, who carries a 3.539 grade point average, also earned honorable mention in 2005.

Marietta finished with an overall record of 20-8 and reached the 20-win plateau for just the ninth time. The 2006 squad set a new standard for regular season winning percentage (.741). As a team, Marietta finished the year with the second-most solo blocks (163), the third-most blocks assists (282) and the fourth-most service aces (236) in school history.