Nov. 4, 2010

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - For the third consecutive year, University of Memphis libero Christine Bach has been named an ESPN Academic All-District IV performer. Bach, who earned District IV First Team honors in 2008 and Second Team recognition in 2009, was tabbed a 2010 First Team member, as voted on by college and university Sports Information, Media Relations and Athletic Communications professionals who are members of College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).

The Dresden, Germany, native joins Heather Watts as the only two Tiger volleyball players to earn the academic honor three-straight years. Watts was a First Team honoree from 2002-04. Bach is the third Tiger to garner First Team recognition, joining Watts and current Memphis head coach April (Harriman) Jauregui, who nabbed First Team accolades in 2000.

Bach has put together an impressive resume both on and off the court in the career at Memphis. A three-time C-USA All-Academic honoree, Bach has made the transition back to the starting libero position after serving as the team's setter in 2009. In that role she has shined, leading Memphis and ranking in the top-10 in C-USA with 356 digs and 3.82 digs per set. She is also ninth among league players in aces. Bach ranks second all-time at Memphis with 1,654 career digs. With eight matches remaining in the 2010 season, she trails the current program record by just 158 digs.

Off the court, Bach has been equally as successful. She graduated Summa Cum Laude with degree in international business in May, 2009 and currently maintains a 3.98 GPA in the MBA program at Memphis. Bach has been a Dean's List student eight times, including each of the last seven semesters. She has made 4.0 five times.

As a First Team selection, Bach will now appear on the national ballot for Academic All-America honors.

The ESPN Academic All-District IV First Team is as follows:
FIRST TEAM

Player School Cl. Hometown GPA Major Allyson Doyle Western Michigan Sr. Battle Creek, Mich. 4.00 Speech Path. & Audiology Christine Bach Memphis Sr. Dresden, Germany 3.96 MBA Holly Evans Morehead State Sr. Blacklick, Ohio 4.00 Health Promotions Nikki Fowler Tennessee Sr. Dallas, Texas 3.80 Marketing Courtney Barnes Chattanooga Sr. Franklin, Tenn. 3.91 Health & Human Performance Kirstie Brangers Morehead State Sr. Louisville, Ky. 3.87 Engineering