Volleyball's Nicole Dean Named NEC Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year
Dean graduated with a 4.0 GPA.
Senior Nicole Dean of the Central Connecticut volleyball team was recognized as a Northeast Conference Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year, it was announced Wednesday. The honor is the latest accolade for Dean who graduated with a 4.0 grade-point average this spring.
A standout in the classroom, Dean is a member of the President's List as a Biology major with a minor in Chemistry and American Sign Language. This spring she was also honored as a Henry Barnhard Distinguished Student, which recognizes outstanding students across the Connecticut State University System.
A four-time member of the Northeast Conference Commissioner's Honor Roll and the NEC Academic Honor Roll, Dean was also named to the College Sports Information Directors of America All-District 1 First Team in 2015. As a junior, Dean ranked third on the team with 0.96 blocks per set. She appeared in 66 matches during her career and helped the Blue Devils qualify for three Northeast Conference Tournaments.
"We are so proud of Nicole's accomplishments," CCSU head coach Linda Sagnelli said. "She is an exemplary student-athlete and as she goes forward, she will be a shining example for the volleyball program, the entire athletics department, and Central Connecticut State University."
Dean was one of five female student-athletes recognized by the NEC for graduating with a 4.0 GPA. The league recognized Joseph Paparelli of Bryant as the Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year.