Oct. 24, 2007

Five members of the University of Texas-Pan American women's volleyball team were selected to the 2007 Division I Independent All-Academic team that was announced on Wednesday (Oct. 24).

Deanna Schneyer (Diamond Bar, CA/Diamond Ranch H.S.), Kellie Phillips (Chandler, AZ/Corona del Sol H.S.), Ytszel Trinidad (Mercedes, TX/Mercedes H.S.), Noelle Mayor (Missouri City, TX/Dulles H.S.) and Rebecca Toddy (McAllen, TX/McAllen Memorial H.S.) joined 20 other members of Independent volleyball teams.

Schneyer became a two-time Academic All-Independent award winner as the UTPA middle blocker posted a 3.82 cumulative grade point average in marketing. Schneyer collected her first piece of hardware of her junior campaign where she was selected most valuable player at the Prairie View Tournament. The middle blocker has recorded 10 or more kills in eight of 24 matches this season

Phillips a first-time Academic All-Independent award recipient recorded a 3.28 cumulative grade point average in psychology. The outside hitter became the fifth player in UTPA history to record 1,000 kills against Birmingham-Southern at the 2007 Loco's Invitational. The outside hitter collected a career-high 82 total attacks versus Sam Houston State, including a season-high 21 digs in a match.

First-time Academic All-Independent award recipient Trinidad posted a 3.24 cumulative grade point average in education. The libero recorded a career-high 18 digs against Birmingham-Southern en route to earning All-Tournament Team honors at the 2007 Loco's Invitational. Trinidad has posted six matches of 10 or more digs during her junior campaign.

A business major, Mayor recorded a 3.30 cumulative grade point average. The sophomore collected her first career double-double against Chicago State with 10 kills and 12 digs. Over 25 matches this season the right-side hitter has recorded 183 kills - averaging 1.44 kills and 1.84 digs per game.

Toddy, a psychology major posted a 3.64 cumulative grade point average. The sophomore libero collected 83 digs - averaging 5.19 digs per game - for the Lady Broncs in a quartet of matches, including a career-high 30 digs in UTPA'S five-set victory over the Air Force Academy. Toddy became only the third player in the last three seasons to record over 30 digs in a match.

The Academic All-Independent Women's Volleyball Team was selected by Sports Information Directors at NCAA Division I Independent institutions. Nominations from each school were accepted for student-athletes who had at least a 3.2 cumulative grade point average, had reached at least a sophomore athletic standing and were a starter or key reserve for their team.

UTPA Sports Information