Volleyball Lands Four on CSC Academic All-District
12/12/2023 12:38:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
HOUSTON, Texas — Rice volleyball placed four players on the 2023 College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team, the organization announced Tuesday, as right side hitter Emilia Weske, outside hitter Danyle Courtley, middle blocker Kaitlyn Knobbe and setter Darby Harris each earned the distinction.
Weske, a graduate senior from Potsdam, Germany, posted a 4.00 graduate GPA while studying for a master's in global affairs. Weske was named to the AVCA south all-region team and was a unanimous selection to the AAC all-conference first team. She finished the season ranked third in the AAC in total kills (365), fourth in attacks per set (9.91), fifth in points per set (4.13) and sixth in total points (429.5). Weske was named to the AAC weekly honor roll recipient five times this season. Prior to coming to Rice, Weske was thrice named a Pac-12 Academic Honor Roll member.
Courtley, a senior from Katy, Texas, earned a 3.73 GPA while majoring in sports medicine and exercise physiology. Courtley was named to the AVCA south all-region team and was an AAC all-conference second team selection. She led the Owls in both total points and kills with 449.0 and 414, respectively, and ranked third in the AAC in total kills and fourth in total points, kills per set (3.66) and total attacks (1,091). Courtley was also named CSC Academic All-District in 2022 and was twice named to the Conf-USA Commissioner's Honor Roll.
Knobbe, a junior from Omaha, Nebraska, recorded a 3.66 GPA while majoring in managerial economics and organizational sciences. Knobbe led Rice with 108 total blocks and a .277 hitting percentage. She ranked sixth in the AAC with 1.05 blocks per set and was named to the AAC weekly honor roll on Sept. 11. Knobbe was also named a Rice University Honor Athlete.
Harris, a sophomore from Wheaton, Illinois, posted a 4.00 GPA while majoring in cognitive sciences. Harris led the Owls with 844 total assists and ranked second on the team with 380 total digs. She ranked seventh in the AAC with 7.54 assists per match, moving to sixth during conference play with 9.50 assists per contest. Harris also ranked 13th in the conference in total digs. Harris has also been named a C-USA academic honor roll and academic medal and was named to the Rice University President's Honor Roll.
All four Owls were also selected as finalists for the CSC Academic All-America teams to be announced on Jan. 9, 2024.
