CONWAY, Ark. – Award season is upon us, as the ASUN releases its volleyball honors in anticipation of the ASUN Championship. Starting off with the academic awards, the Sugar Bears claimed three spots on the Academic All-ASUN list, with
Laci Bohannan,
Samantha Cousins and
Caylan Koons earning their place on the list.
"Laci, Caylan and Samantha exemplify what it means to be true student-athletes, balancing excellence in the classroom with dedication on the court. Their commitment to academic achievement and their ability to lead by example both challenge and inspire those around them," Head coach
John Newberry said of the three. "This Academic All-ASUN award is a testament not only to their hard work, but to their character, resilience and pursuit of excellence in all they do."
Bohannan, a journalism major, earned her second-career spot on the list with a 3.87 cumulative GPA. With multiple semesters achieving a 4.0, Bohannan balances her schoolwork with being one of the most feared offensive players in the ASUN. With 319 kills this season, Bohannan reached 1,000 career kills this season, and once again ranks in the top-five in the ASUN in kills per set. Adding in her serving (26 aces) and defense (53.0 total blocks), she finished the regular season third in the conference in points per set at 4.02 points.
Cousins will finish her degree in general business this year, and will finish it with a cumulative GPA of 3.68. The senior has made huge strides on the court this year as well, finishing the regular season third on the team with a career-high 179 kills. She had five matches of double-digit kills, including a season-high 15 in the three-set sweep against Stetson.
Koons, also receiving her second academic nod, is the truest definition of dedication, maintaining a perfect 4.0 as she wraps up a degree in Early Childhood Education. The Springdale native continues to be one of the best setters in the ASUN, finishing the regular season third in assists per set (8.68) and sixth in total assists (816). In ASUN matches, she was top-three in both assists per set (9.58) and total assist (546).
The Sugar Bears now look ahead to tomorrow's first round of the ASUN Championship. Earning the No. 4 seed, Central Arkansas plays at 9 a.m. CT, taking on Lipscomb down in Fort Myers, Florida.
