Nov. 6, 2008

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - University of Memphis sophomore libero Christine Bach was selected as a CoSIDA ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District IV First Team performer it was announced. Bach is the first Tiger volleyball player to earn First Team honors since Heather Watts made the All-District IV First Team in 2004. Bach joins Watts and head coach April Jauregui as the lone three Tiger volleyball players to earn All-District First Team accolades.

Bach, a three-time C-USA Defensive Player of the Week honoree, has had a record-setting sophomore campaign. In addition to her record-high four career C-USA weekly awards, she set the program's single match mark and posted the seventh-best backrow performance in C-USA history with 37 digs in a five-set contest versus IUPUI. The Tiger libero ranks second on the program's single season list with 499 digs. That total leads C-USA, while her 4.50 digs per set ranks second. The sophomore is also a weapon from the service line with a team-high and 41 aces.

A 2007 C-USA All Academic pick as a redshirt freshman, Bach works just as hard in the classroom. She maintains a 3.96 gpa in international business with a minor in french. A member of the Tiger 3.0 club and Dean's List since the fall 2006 semester, Bach has twice posted perfect 4.0 gpa's (Fall 2007, Spring 2008). She made the C-USA Commissioner's Honor Roll and was awarded a C-USA Commissioner's Academic Medal in 2007 and 2008. She has also been a three-time member of the Tiger Academic 30.

The following are the District IV First Team Winners.

District 4 Winners
University Division
First Team
Jillian Wolosiansky  Eastern Michigan   Sr.  Uniontown, Ohio    4.00  Public Admin.
Casey Dent           UAB                Sr.  Helena, Ala.       3.74  Finance
Christine Bach       Memphis            So.  Dresden, Germany   3.96  Intern'tl Bus.
Katie Eberling       Western Michigan   Jr.  Palos Hills, Ill.  3.92  Elementary Ed.
Nikki Fowler         Tennessee          So.  Dallas, Texas      3.86  Business
Sarah Rumely         Kentucky           Jr.  New Palestine      3.58  Kinesiology
BriAnne Sauer        Kentucky           Jr.  Louisville, Ky.    3.63  Elementary Ed.