JWU's Walker, Coniglio Repeat as CoSIDA Women's Volleyball Academic All-Americans

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Courtesy of JWU Athletics Communications

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Over the last four years, the Johnson & Wales University women's volleyball team has set continued to redefine success. Seniors Kate Walker and Maria Coniglio are redefining what it means to be a student-athlete as they were named CoSIDA Academic All-Americans.

A Second-Team selection, Walker is the first student-athlete in JWU history to earn three Academic All-Americans awards and was the only three-time selection on this year's list. Also a Second-Team honoree, Coniglio collected her second award.

Walker has been almost perfect during her academic career, posting a 3.95 grade point average in psychology. The program's all-time leader in hitting percentage, Walker led the NCAA with a .417 hitting percentage. Named AVCA New England Region and GNAC Player of the Year, she was a three-time GNAC Player of the Week recipient.

Named an AVCA Second-Team All-American – the third honor of her career - this season the Oakland, Calif. native averaged a career-high 3.18 kills per set while notching 0.83 blocks per set. Against Suffolk she became the sixth player in program history to amass 1,000 career kills while breaking the JWU record with 234 blocking assists.

Coming into her final year, Coniglio has a near-flawless 3.99 GPA in culinary nutrition. One of the best outside hitters in school history, Coniglio is averaging 3.40 kps to move her up to second all-time at 3.22 kps. The fifth player in school history to eclipse 1,000 kills, she ranks third in JWU history with 1,319 kills and 1,537.5 points.

Recognized as a Third-Team AVCA All-American – the fourth of her career - Coniglio had 12 double-doubles this year. The Old Bethpage, N.Y., native joins Annemarie Proto and Ashley Constantino with 1,0000 kills and 1,000 digs.

The senior class ended their career with a 130-9 record, including 47-0 in the GNAC. They appeared in three-straight NCAA Regional Championships matches and won the 2017 title. That team set the NCAA Division III record with 67 consecutive sets won.