Nov. 20, 2000

DALLAS-The Big 12 Conference announced the 2000 Volleyball Academic All-Big 12 Team Monday. The 23-5 University of Missouri Tigers had six student-athletes make the team. Nominated by each institution's director of student-athlete support services and the media relations offices, the volleyball academic all-league squad consisted of 45 combined first team members with 14 on the second team. First-team members consist of those who have maintained a 3.2 or-better grade-point average, while the second team are those who have a 3.0 to 3.19 GPA.

On the first team for MU was senior Heather Gerber (Human Development and Family Studies), senior Annette Luyten (History), junior Lisa Morris (Overland Park, Kan.), and junior Katie Sowers (Secondary Education-Social Studies). Making the second team for Mizzou was juniors Naaron Branson (Textile Apparel Management) and Rachel Taylor (Fitness and Nutrition)

Every school which sponsors volleyball, Oklahoma State does not, had at least three representatives on the Volleyball Academic All-Big 12 squad with nine of those schools having five or more.

To qualify, student-athletes must maintain a 3.0 grade-point average or higher either cumulative or the two previous semesters and must have participated in 60 percent of her team's scheduled contests.