Dec. 4, 2003

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Junior setter Heather Watts continued to add to her personal trophy case and became the second volleyball player under Head Coach Carrie Yerty to earn Academic All-America honors from the College Sports Information Directors of America (Co-SIDA), Thursday. Watts earned third team honors, becoming the second Tiger to do so this fall.

Watts, who set a single season record with 1,792 assists this season, helped the Tigers to a 30-6 record. Memphis' .833 win percentage marked its best mark in school history, and marked just the third time in the 33rd year of the program that Memphis won 30 or more matches.

"Heather is an extremely motivated young lady both in the classroom and on the court," Tiger Head Coach Carrie Yerty said. "She not only has she led us on the court, but she's also a leader in the classroom and we're extremely proud of her efforts in both areas."

A native of Sandy, Utah, Watts, a graduate of Skyline High School, was one of two C-USA players to earn Academic All-America honors. Cincinnati junior Julie DuPont, the C-USA Player of the Year, was the only other representative from the region, which consists of teams from Tennessee, Ohio, Kentucky and Mississippi.

Watts, who carries a 3.98 GPA, has been named to the Co-SIDA Academic All-District IV First Team for the past two seasons. The junior setter, who has quarterbacked the Tiger offense for just two of her three years, was named third team All Conference USA and was named to the C-USA All-Tournament team after guiding Memphis to its first-ever appearance in the C-USA championship finals.

The daughter of Kurt and Sue Watts, Heather is on track to graduate with her bachelor's degree in August of 2004 and plans on beginning work on her master's degree while completing her volleyball eligibility.

Watts becomes the second volleyball player to earn national honors under Yerty. April Harriman was the program's last Academic All-America honoree in 2000. Watts also becomes the second Tiger student-athlete to earn Academic All-America honors after Andy Metcalf, a member of the men's soccer team, also earned third team honors earlier this fall.