May 26, 2011

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MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Senior pitcher Janelle Valle, of the Memphis Tiger softball team, was named CoSIDA Capital One second team Academic All-American, Thursday.

"I am so excited for Janelle," said Memphis head coach Windy Thees. "She has worked so hard and overcome so much with injury. She's always produced for us, both on the field and in the classroom."

To be eligible for Academic All-America® consideration, a student-athlete must be a varsity starter or key reserve, maintain a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.30 on a scale of 4.00, have reached sophomore athletic and academic standings at his/her current institution and be nominated by his/her sports information director.

Since the program's inception in 1952, CoSIDA has bestowed Academic All-America honors on more than 14,000 student-athletes in Divisions I, II, III and NAIA, covering all NCAA championship sports.

Valle ended her senior season with a 6-2 record, sporting a 1.62 ERA with 51 strikeouts. The Lake Elsinore, California native graduated earlier this month with a biology degree, minoring in criminal justice with plans to become a coroner in the future. She finished her academic career with a 3.91 GPA.

Valle has three shutouts and a one hitter during her senior campaign. She was named the C-USA Pitcher of the Week after helping Memphis win two out of three games at East Carolina.

Three weeks ago, Valle became the first Tiger since Jenna Kubesch in 2007 to be named to the Academic All-District IV First team.

Valle becomes Memphis' first Academic All-American in the history of the softball program. Among spring sports, she joins baseball's Chad Zurcher as Academic All-American.