Four St. Cloud State Volleyball Players Earn CSC Academic All-District® Honors
12/17/2024 11:01:00 AM | Volleyball
Berran, Foley, Kimm and Kurschner earn honor from CSC for academic and athletics performance
GREENWOOD, Ind. – Four St. Cloud State Volleyball student-athletes have been named to the 2024 Academic All-District® Volleyball Team, selected by College Sports Communicators (CSC). Junior setter Emma Berran* (Inver Grove Heights), fifth year outside hitter Kenzie Foley* (Sergeant Bluff, Iowa), sophomore outside hitter Shelby Kimm (North Liberty, Iowa) and senior libero Keely Kurschner (Maplewood, Minn.) earned the honor for their success in the classroom and on the court.
The 2024 Academic All-District® Volleyball teams, selected by College Sports Communicators, recognize the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances on the court and in the classroom. The CSC Academic All-America® program separately recognizes volleyball honorees in four divisions — NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III and NAIA.
Academic All-District® honorees were considered for advancement to the CSC Academic All-America® ballot. Student-athletes selected as CSC Academic All-America® finalists are denoted with an asterisk and will advance to the national ballot to be voted on by CSC members. First-, second- and third-team Academic All-America® honorees will be announced Jan. 14, 2025.
The Division II CSC Academic All-America® program is partially financially supported by the NCAA Division II national governance structure to assist CSC with handling the awards fulfillment aspects for the 2024-25 Divisions II Academic All-America® program. For more information about CSC Academic All-District® and Academic All-America® Teams program, visit AcademicAllAmerica.com.
Berran, an environmental engineering major with a 3.94 GPA, is now a two-time CSC Academic All-District® selection in addition to being a two-time Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) All-Academic Team of Excellence honoree and a two-time NSIC All-Academic Team choice. Last week, she became the first setter in program history to be named a multiple time All-American and became just the fourth player in program history to be named an All-American in more than one season.
The Inver Grove Heights native was also picked to the first team All-Central Region by the AVCA, the second all-region honors of her career after getting an honorable mention nod last season. This season, Berran was a First Team All-NSIC pick and was named NSIC Setter of the Week once (Nov. 11). She was also selected to the NCAA Central Region All-Tournament Team, the NSIC Tournament All-Tournament Team and the Yotes Classic Showdown All-Tournament Team.
The junior setter currently ranks No. 4 in career assists in program history and became the first player in SCSU Volleyball history to surpass 1,000 assists in each of her first three seasons. She finished the regular season No. 6 in assists/set and No. 7 in total assists among DII players while ranking second in both assists/set and total assists among NSIC players this season.
Foley, who carries a 3.67 cumulative grade point average as a statistics and finance double major, was named to the CSC Academic All-District® team for the second consecutive year. Last season she was the second CSC Academic All-American in program history and is a two-time NSIC All-Academic Team of Excellence honoree and a three-time NSIC All-Academic Team choice. Last week, Foley became the first four-time All-American in program history after being named to the first team in 2021, 2023 and 2024 and the second team in 2022 by the AVCA.
For the second consecutive season, Foley was named the Central Region Player of the Year by both the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) and the Division-II Conference Commissioners Association (D2CCA). In addition to being named region player of the year, Foley was a first team all-region selection by both organizations.
Foley was named the NSIC Player of the Year for the second straight season (first player in program history after becoming the first Husky to win such honors a year ago) and was selected to the All-NSIC First Team for the fourth consecutive year. Prior to the season, she was voted as the program's first ever NSIC Preseason Player of the Year. Foley was named NSIC Offensive Player of the Week six times this season, bringing her career total to 13. She was also tabbed as the AVCA Division II National Player of the Week once in 2024 (third time of career). She was also named to the NCAA Central Region All-Tournament Team, NSIC Tournament All-Tournament Team, the UP North Tournament All-Tournament Team and the Yotes Classic Showdown All-Tournament Team.
In 2024, the Sergeant Bluff, Iowa native has broken several program records including career kills, career points, career double-digit kill matches, single-match kills, career double-doubles. She is also two sets away from breaking the program record for all-time sets played. Among all DII players this season, she ranked top-five in kills, kills/set and points/set while also leading the NSIC in those categories.
Kimm, a statistics and accounting double major with a 3.92 GPA, is a first time CSC Academic All-District® selection. Earlier this fall, she was named to the All-Academic Team of Excellence and the NSIC All-Academic Team.
She was named to the NSIC All-Tournament Team after averaging 3.9 digs/set, 2.1 kills/set, 1 aces/set and 3.3 points/set. For the season, she ranked No. 2 in service aces/set (0.44) and No. 5 in service aces (46) among NSIC players.
Kurschner, who carries a 3.69 cumulative grade point average as an exercise science major, was named to the Academic All-District team for the second consecutive season. She is a two-time NSIC All-Academic Team of Excellence honoree and a three-time NSIC All-Academic Team choice.
Among Northern Sun players, Kurschner ranked No. 1 in service aces (49), No. 3 in service aces/set (0.43), No. 6 in digs (464), and No. 9 in digs/set (4.11) this season. In serve-receive has made only 31 errors in 633 attempts for a reception percentage of .951. For the third season in a row, the senior libero led the team in digs and for the second season in her career, she leads the team in aces. She became the 13th player in program to record 1,000 career digs and finished her career ranked No. 6 in career digs (1,432).
One of the program's most historic and record-breaking seasons ended on Dec. 7 after falling to No. 6 and second-seeded Central Oklahoma in a five-setter in the NCAA Tournament Central Region Championship match at Halenbeck Hall.
SCSU set numerous program records including fewest losses in a season (3), longest win streak (25), highest AVCA national poll ranking (No. 2), best conference record (18-0), best 20 match start (18-2). Sixteen of the Huskies 29 wins came against teams ranked/receiving votes in the AVCA Poll and all 18 of the Huskies sweeps came in the last 23 matches.
The Huskies made their fifth consecutive NCAA Tournament and 10th overall in program history while being selected to host an NCAA Division II Volleyball Regional Tournament for the first time in program history. SCSU won its third NSIC Tournament Championship in program history, while making its fifth straight NSIC Tournament Championship match and moved to 13-2 (.867) all-time in NSIC Tournament matches. It was the first time St. Cloud State hosted the NSIC semifinals/championship match. For the third time in program history the Huskies finished conference play undefeated. SCSU also became just the third NSIC team to post a perfect conference season since 2011. St. Cloud State won its fourth regular season conference championship in program history.
CSC Release | Complete List of Honorees
For all the latest on St. Cloud State Volleyball, stay tuned to SCSUHuskies.com and follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
The 2024 Academic All-District® Volleyball teams, selected by College Sports Communicators, recognize the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances on the court and in the classroom. The CSC Academic All-America® program separately recognizes volleyball honorees in four divisions — NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III and NAIA.
Academic All-District® honorees were considered for advancement to the CSC Academic All-America® ballot. Student-athletes selected as CSC Academic All-America® finalists are denoted with an asterisk and will advance to the national ballot to be voted on by CSC members. First-, second- and third-team Academic All-America® honorees will be announced Jan. 14, 2025.
The Division II CSC Academic All-America® program is partially financially supported by the NCAA Division II national governance structure to assist CSC with handling the awards fulfillment aspects for the 2024-25 Divisions II Academic All-America® program. For more information about CSC Academic All-District® and Academic All-America® Teams program, visit AcademicAllAmerica.com.
Berran, an environmental engineering major with a 3.94 GPA, is now a two-time CSC Academic All-District® selection in addition to being a two-time Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) All-Academic Team of Excellence honoree and a two-time NSIC All-Academic Team choice. Last week, she became the first setter in program history to be named a multiple time All-American and became just the fourth player in program history to be named an All-American in more than one season.
The Inver Grove Heights native was also picked to the first team All-Central Region by the AVCA, the second all-region honors of her career after getting an honorable mention nod last season. This season, Berran was a First Team All-NSIC pick and was named NSIC Setter of the Week once (Nov. 11). She was also selected to the NCAA Central Region All-Tournament Team, the NSIC Tournament All-Tournament Team and the Yotes Classic Showdown All-Tournament Team.
The junior setter currently ranks No. 4 in career assists in program history and became the first player in SCSU Volleyball history to surpass 1,000 assists in each of her first three seasons. She finished the regular season No. 6 in assists/set and No. 7 in total assists among DII players while ranking second in both assists/set and total assists among NSIC players this season.
Foley, who carries a 3.67 cumulative grade point average as a statistics and finance double major, was named to the CSC Academic All-District® team for the second consecutive year. Last season she was the second CSC Academic All-American in program history and is a two-time NSIC All-Academic Team of Excellence honoree and a three-time NSIC All-Academic Team choice. Last week, Foley became the first four-time All-American in program history after being named to the first team in 2021, 2023 and 2024 and the second team in 2022 by the AVCA.
For the second consecutive season, Foley was named the Central Region Player of the Year by both the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) and the Division-II Conference Commissioners Association (D2CCA). In addition to being named region player of the year, Foley was a first team all-region selection by both organizations.
Foley was named the NSIC Player of the Year for the second straight season (first player in program history after becoming the first Husky to win such honors a year ago) and was selected to the All-NSIC First Team for the fourth consecutive year. Prior to the season, she was voted as the program's first ever NSIC Preseason Player of the Year. Foley was named NSIC Offensive Player of the Week six times this season, bringing her career total to 13. She was also tabbed as the AVCA Division II National Player of the Week once in 2024 (third time of career). She was also named to the NCAA Central Region All-Tournament Team, NSIC Tournament All-Tournament Team, the UP North Tournament All-Tournament Team and the Yotes Classic Showdown All-Tournament Team.
In 2024, the Sergeant Bluff, Iowa native has broken several program records including career kills, career points, career double-digit kill matches, single-match kills, career double-doubles. She is also two sets away from breaking the program record for all-time sets played. Among all DII players this season, she ranked top-five in kills, kills/set and points/set while also leading the NSIC in those categories.
Kimm, a statistics and accounting double major with a 3.92 GPA, is a first time CSC Academic All-District® selection. Earlier this fall, she was named to the All-Academic Team of Excellence and the NSIC All-Academic Team.
She was named to the NSIC All-Tournament Team after averaging 3.9 digs/set, 2.1 kills/set, 1 aces/set and 3.3 points/set. For the season, she ranked No. 2 in service aces/set (0.44) and No. 5 in service aces (46) among NSIC players.
Kurschner, who carries a 3.69 cumulative grade point average as an exercise science major, was named to the Academic All-District team for the second consecutive season. She is a two-time NSIC All-Academic Team of Excellence honoree and a three-time NSIC All-Academic Team choice.
Among Northern Sun players, Kurschner ranked No. 1 in service aces (49), No. 3 in service aces/set (0.43), No. 6 in digs (464), and No. 9 in digs/set (4.11) this season. In serve-receive has made only 31 errors in 633 attempts for a reception percentage of .951. For the third season in a row, the senior libero led the team in digs and for the second season in her career, she leads the team in aces. She became the 13th player in program to record 1,000 career digs and finished her career ranked No. 6 in career digs (1,432).
One of the program's most historic and record-breaking seasons ended on Dec. 7 after falling to No. 6 and second-seeded Central Oklahoma in a five-setter in the NCAA Tournament Central Region Championship match at Halenbeck Hall.
SCSU set numerous program records including fewest losses in a season (3), longest win streak (25), highest AVCA national poll ranking (No. 2), best conference record (18-0), best 20 match start (18-2). Sixteen of the Huskies 29 wins came against teams ranked/receiving votes in the AVCA Poll and all 18 of the Huskies sweeps came in the last 23 matches.
The Huskies made their fifth consecutive NCAA Tournament and 10th overall in program history while being selected to host an NCAA Division II Volleyball Regional Tournament for the first time in program history. SCSU won its third NSIC Tournament Championship in program history, while making its fifth straight NSIC Tournament Championship match and moved to 13-2 (.867) all-time in NSIC Tournament matches. It was the first time St. Cloud State hosted the NSIC semifinals/championship match. For the third time in program history the Huskies finished conference play undefeated. SCSU also became just the third NSIC team to post a perfect conference season since 2011. St. Cloud State won its fourth regular season conference championship in program history.
CSC Release | Complete List of Honorees
For all the latest on St. Cloud State Volleyball, stay tuned to SCSUHuskies.com and follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Players Mentioned
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