Post by bigfan on Nov 30, 2006 11:23:17 GMT -5
Pavan named Academic All-American of the Year
By: Brian Ortmeier
In the course of one day, Sarah Pavan's week went from good to great.
After receiving Big 12 Conference Player of the Year honors for the second consecutive year on Monday, Pavan pulled in a more prestigious award on Tuesday when she was named the Academic All-American of the Year.
"I was pretty excited about it," Pavan said Tuesday. "I didn't expect that to happen at all. It's something that I've wanted because I work so hard in school and so many people have helped me out. I'm just ecstatic about it, and my family is, too."
Pavan holds a 4.0 grade point average in biochemistry and joins 28 other Nebraska volleyball Academic All-Americans in the history books.
But how does an athlete of Pavan's caliber go about balancing class, sports and life in an orderly fashion?
"When I'm not playing volleyball, I'm usually doing homework or something," Pavan said. "It's not always fun, but I don't want to accept anything less than 'A's, so it's the sacrifice that I decided to make."
Nonetheless, volleyball practice and Pavan's class schedule conflicted at times throughout the season.
Every Wednesday afternoon, Pavan was in genetics class while her team participated in a walk-through for the night's match. When class was out, Pavan rushed to the NU Coliseum for the last five minutes of practice.
"It definitely was difficult not touching a ball before the game, especially with my serving history," she said. "Sometimes the Wednesday night matches weren't pretty, but we won. I definitely don't want to go through that next year."
Pavan is just one example of the success the Nebraska volleyball program has produced in the classroom for the 2006 season.
On Nov. 14, eight Huskers, including Pavan, were named to the Academic All-Big 12 team. Among the four players on Big 12 rosters who posted perfect 4.0 grade point averages, two were from Nebraska. Joining Pavan in the elite group was sophomore Amanda Gates, a communication studies major.
"We do everything possible to allow our student athletes to have as little stress as possible and miss as little school as possible," said NU Coach John Cook. "It's one of the reasons we played so many home matches this year. We try and keep them here so they can get to class, and I think it certainly helps."
Despite all the Big 12 titles, academic and athletic honors, Pavan and the Huskers have their eyes set on the one prize that has eluded every member of the 2006 squad - a national championship.
"I came here to win, and we haven't done that yet," Pavan said. "So it definitely bothers me. Obviously the Washington match (last season's national final) makes me mad, but I'm over it. I've moved on. But I came here to win a national championship, and within these next two years, it's going to happen."[/color][/u][/b][/i]
By: Brian Ortmeier
In the course of one day, Sarah Pavan's week went from good to great.
After receiving Big 12 Conference Player of the Year honors for the second consecutive year on Monday, Pavan pulled in a more prestigious award on Tuesday when she was named the Academic All-American of the Year.
"I was pretty excited about it," Pavan said Tuesday. "I didn't expect that to happen at all. It's something that I've wanted because I work so hard in school and so many people have helped me out. I'm just ecstatic about it, and my family is, too."
Pavan holds a 4.0 grade point average in biochemistry and joins 28 other Nebraska volleyball Academic All-Americans in the history books.
But how does an athlete of Pavan's caliber go about balancing class, sports and life in an orderly fashion?
"When I'm not playing volleyball, I'm usually doing homework or something," Pavan said. "It's not always fun, but I don't want to accept anything less than 'A's, so it's the sacrifice that I decided to make."
Nonetheless, volleyball practice and Pavan's class schedule conflicted at times throughout the season.
Every Wednesday afternoon, Pavan was in genetics class while her team participated in a walk-through for the night's match. When class was out, Pavan rushed to the NU Coliseum for the last five minutes of practice.
"It definitely was difficult not touching a ball before the game, especially with my serving history," she said. "Sometimes the Wednesday night matches weren't pretty, but we won. I definitely don't want to go through that next year."
Pavan is just one example of the success the Nebraska volleyball program has produced in the classroom for the 2006 season.
On Nov. 14, eight Huskers, including Pavan, were named to the Academic All-Big 12 team. Among the four players on Big 12 rosters who posted perfect 4.0 grade point averages, two were from Nebraska. Joining Pavan in the elite group was sophomore Amanda Gates, a communication studies major.
"We do everything possible to allow our student athletes to have as little stress as possible and miss as little school as possible," said NU Coach John Cook. "It's one of the reasons we played so many home matches this year. We try and keep them here so they can get to class, and I think it certainly helps."
Despite all the Big 12 titles, academic and athletic honors, Pavan and the Huskers have their eyes set on the one prize that has eluded every member of the 2006 squad - a national championship.
"I came here to win, and we haven't done that yet," Pavan said. "So it definitely bothers me. Obviously the Washington match (last season's national final) makes me mad, but I'm over it. I've moved on. But I came here to win a national championship, and within these next two years, it's going to happen."[/color][/u][/b][/i]