Nov. 8, 2007

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Senior outside hitter Ashley Liford was named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District IV Third Team as announced by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Thursday.

Liford, who has started in all 31 matches this season, leads the Tigers offense and ranks ninth among Conference USA hitter with 3.85 kills per game. She has put down a team-high 443 kills and now ranks fourth on Memphis' career kills list with 1,515. She needs just 14 more terminations to take over the No. 3 spot on that list. Liford also rates in the top-10 in C-USA in points scored.

In addition to being the Tigers' top attacking option, Liford has been a solid defender notching a career and team-best 17 double-doubles--second most in C-USA this year. She has recorded a career-best 321 digs to go with 37 blocks.

Liford has excelled in the classroom since the day she stepped on the University of Memphis campus. A member of the Inaugural C-USA All-Academic Team in 2006, the San Antonio native has maintained a 3.72 GPA in marketing management. She earned a 4.0 in the 2007 spring semester and is a member of the Tiger Academic 30 and the Tiger 3.0 Club.

"Ashley is the true example of what a student-athlete should be," said Tiger volleyball Head Coach Carrie Yerty. She is motivated both in the classroom and on the court and it has been a pleasure watching her grow academically and athletically."

The Tigers captain is the sixth Tiger volleyball player in the last five years to earn Academic All-District recognition. Christen Clayton and Laura Côté were named Third Team performers last year.