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Volleyball's Christine Bach Earns C-USA Fall Spirit of Service Award
Dec. 16, 2009
IRVING, Texas - University of Memphis junior volleyball player Christine Bach was one of 12 C-USA student-athletes that received the fall C-USA Spirit of Service award Conference USA Commissioner Britton Banowsky announced today. The C-USA Spirit of Service Award is designed to recognize the community service efforts of the league's student-athletes, based upon significant community service, good academic standing and participation in their elected sport. The Spirit of Service award will be presented three times throughout the season, with today's honorees representing Conference USA's fall sports: football, soccer, volleyball and cross country. A three-time C-USA All-Academic selection, Bach ranks ninth all-time at Memphis with 1,298 career digs. She became the first Tiger to ever record three 30-plus dig outings when she picked up a season-high 31 digs in the season-opener versus Evansville. The Dresden, Germany native not only owns a perfect 4.0 GPA in the MBA program, but spends her time volunteering at Youth Villages, participating in Christmas parties at children's medical centers, and taking part in the Tigers Turns Green initiative. Sophomore Amanda Lapp of East Carolina totaled 49 hours of community service this semester while working at the humane society of eastern North Carolina, SPCA of Wake County, the Special Olympics and much more. The Raleigh, N.C., native is a member of the National Honor Society of Collegiate Scholars. On the running course, Lapp earned a 35th-place finish at the C-USA Cross Country Championship before competing at the NCAA Southeast Regionals. Houston quarterback Case Keenum was crowned the 2009 C-USA Most Valuable Player. In addition to earning first-team league honors, the junior was selected to Walter Camp Football Foundation All-American team and was a finalist for the Davey O'Brien Award. He set C-USA single-season records for pass attempts (659) and completions (468), throwing for 5,449 yards (fourth-highest total in FBS history) and 43 touchdowns with just nine interceptions. Keenum is a three-time C-USA Commissioner's Honor Roll member, a Dean's List honoree and is scheduled to earn his undergraduate degree next summer. When the Abilene, Texas native gets time away from school and football, he's giving back to the community. Keenum visits the Texas Children's Hospital, volunteers with Star of Hope and is a regular Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) Camp Counselor in his hometown.
Elizabeth Fleming of Marshall is being recognized for her dedication to Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) and serving as Co-Chair of the Marshall Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). The junior owns a perfect 4.0 GPA in international affairs and was rewarded for her efforts in the classroom after being named to the ESPN the Magazine Academic All-America second team. On the hardwood floor, Fleming led the Thundering Herd from the setter position where she finished second in C-USA in assists-per-set (11.17) and earned All-C-USA second team honors. Rice soccer player Elizabeth Nesbit is a two-time C-USA Commissioner's Academic Medalist. The Waterford, Va., native is a consistent visitor to the cancer floor at Texas Children's Hospital where she helped to organize a bone marrow drive at the Owls' last home game. Nesbit spent the last two summers in Africa (Malawi) with a medical diagnostic lab-in-a-backpack and has been working with her brother on a charity he founded, HopePhones, to support health care outreach in Africa. The junior played in a career-high 13 games this year for the Owls, earning three starts on the year. Kevin Beachum of SMU took part in the Mustangs' SAAC "Changing Lives" initiative where he helped to collect change for RISE (Recovery, Inspiration, Success and Entertainment) Adventures. The Mexia, Texas native has started all 24 career games for the Mustangs and was a second team All-C-USA selection. Southern Miss' Kelsea Seymour helped lead the Golden Eagles to its first C-USA volleyball regular season title in program history and was named C-USA Co-Setter of the Year for her efforts on the court. The sophomore is a member of USM's SAAC and has been involved in teaching warm-up activities to students at DuBard School. The Long Beach, Calif., native also spends time at the Aspire Center, an after school center, and helped to coordinate activities at the Children's Village hosted at the Renaissance Festival in Hattiesburg. Senior volleyball player Jenn Miller helped Tulane advance to the NCAA Tournament the last two years and became the all-time leader in digs for the Green Wave in total digs (1,978) and digs per set (4.57). Miller was named to the C-USA All-Academic Team in 2008 and has also been a member of Tulane's 3.0 Club every semester. The San Pedro, Calif., native helped to rebuild the Johnson Elementary School Library following Hurricane Katrina and has served as a mentor for Girls First for the past four years. Tulsa volleyball standout Jennifer Eichler was recognized as Co-Player of the Year for her efforts on the court. The senior ranks second in C-USA in total kills (466) and was also named to the C-USA All-Academic Team this season. Eichler's talents far exceed the 60-foot volleyball court. The Rapid City, S.D., native shares her time and efforts with Happy Hands, Shadow a Student-Athlete Day, Shop with a Cop, Relay for Life and Craft Family Olympics. UAB's Danielle Blair was named ESPN the Magazine Academic All-America this season after earning C-USA All-Academic Team honors. The senior competed in 73 career soccer games in a Blazer uniform, while giving back to her community. Blair's service consisted of lending a hand in the C-USA canned food drive, assisting at the Ronald McDonald house, helping at local elementary schools and volunteering as a coach for a local soccer club. Carley Dart of UCF tallied numerous hours of community outreach this season, including the Orlando Field of Dreams/Miracle League. The Orlando, Fla., native also donates her time to the Salvation Army, Florida Children's Hospital and Seminole County Teach-In. Dart's efforts in the community accompany her venture's on the running course where she tallied three top-10 finishes. UTEP's Catherine Chavez earns the Spirit of Service Award, the sixth volleyball player, for her time dedicated to the West Texas Food Bank and mentoring students at Fort Bliss Elementary School. The El, Paso, Texas native is a two-time C-USA Commissioner's Honor Roll member. Chavez became the third player in school history to post 1,000 in both career kills (1,103) and digs (1,224). The senior also served as secretary to the UTEP SAAC. 2009-10 FALL C-USA SPIRIT OF SERVICE HONOREES: |
Memphis Tigers
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