LEXINGTON, Ky. – Premier Sports Management, Inc., announced the candidates for the 2015 Senior Class Award on Wednesday afternoon, with Kentucky senior setter Morgan Bergren being tabbed as one of the 30 candidates for the annual honor.
Bergren is one of six players on the list to have garnered All-America honors by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) in 2014 when she was named to the second team. She also is one of 25 candidates to hold a 3.0 GPA or higher.
“Any recognition that Morgan gets is earned,” said 11th-year head coach Craig Skinner. “She works hard in everything she does, whether it’s school, community service, giving back, camps, or being a great athlete. We as a staff are proud of her for being nominated for such a prestigious award.”
An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School®, the Senior CLASS Award honors the attributes of NCAA Division I senior student-athletes in four areas: community, classroom, character and competition. The award program is designed exclusively for college seniors who are utilizing their complete athletic eligibility, remaining committed to their university and pursuing the many rewards a senior season can bring. Award winners are determined by a selection process that includes NCAA Division I college coaches in each respective sport, national media and fans.
Bergren’s accomplishments in each of the four categories are impressive. In the classroom, she owns an impressive 3.734 grade-point average and is a kinesiology and health promotion major. Bergen has appeared on the Southeastern Conference Academic Honor Roll during every year of college, earned Dean’s List honors for five semesters and was a member of the Athletic Director’s honor roll twice.
Skinner speaks highly of Bergren’s character, citing that she leads the team in community service. “She has been a mentor in the community to our city’s youth,” Skinner said. “She is relentless about coaching and giving back to the sport that has given her so much.”
Her work in the community stands out, as Bergren has been a mainstay among UK student-athletes helping the local area. She has been involved in everything from ringing the bell during the Holidays for the Salvation Army, to volunteering and visiting children and adults who are suffering at places like the Lexington VA, UK Children’s Hospital, Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Center and the Boys and Girls club. Additionally, Bergren joined a group of UK student-athletes and staff members on a 10-day trip to Ethiopia this summer. As a part of the Kentucky contingent, she served the people of Ethiopia for several days, providing clothing, working with them in their daily projects and playing sports and games with them.
Bergren is also a force to be reckoned with on the court. She was named a second-team All-American following her junior campaign in 2014. She is a 2014 AVCA All-Southeast Region First Team selection and a 2014 All-SEC selection. This season, she leads the team with 263 assists, averaging 10.52 per set. She has also added 39 digs, 23 kills and nine blocks. Entering her senior season, she has started for each of the last two seasons. She owns the program-record in the rally scoring era with 55 assists in a match during a four-set match. In addition to her play with Kentucky, she participated as a member of the U.S. Collegiate National Team this summer. The 36-member team trained and competed in conjunction with the USA Volleyball Girls’ Junior National Championships, where Bergren led her squad to the championship of the event.
To see Bergren’s full candidate page on seniorclassaward.com, click here.
A national media committee narrows this field to 10 finalists per sport approximately eight weeks before the NCAA championship. The names of these 10 athletes appear on the official ballot. Public fan voting on the Senior CLASS Award website takes place each year during the month leading up to the NCAA Championship.
2015 Senior CLASS Award Candidates
Avery Acker, Southern Methodist
Paige Neuenfeldt, North Carolina
Morgan Bergren, Kentucky
Amanda Orchard, Pittsburgh
Deidra Bohannon, Georgia State
Kendall Pierce, Penn State
Jordan Burgess, Stanford
Taylor Pippen, Southern Illinois
Sydney Crimmins, UMKC
Emma Roberson, Cincinnati
Adriana Culbert, Colorado State
Ashley Rosch, Illinios State
Kaitlyn Hickey, IUPUI
Chelsee Sauni, Coppin State
Katie Hillman, Delaware
Courtney Shaw, Marist College
Kierra Holst, Oklahoma
Emily Sklar, Duke
Melanie Jereb, Creighton
Cassie Strickland, Washington
Myla Marshall, Alabama State
Shelby Sullivan, Texas A&M
Amy Matula, Lehigh
Kristen Torre, SIUE
Molly McCage, Texas
Melanie Wade, Washington
Taryn Miller, UMKC
Nicole Walch, Florida State
Taylor Morey, Wisconsin
Jocelyn Youngdahl, Belmont
Kentucky’s Memorial Coliseum will play host to the NCAA Regionals Dec. 11-12. UK is one of four sites selected for the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight matchups with one team advancing to the Final Four in Omaha, Neb., from the Lexington Region. This marks the third time in five seasons Memorial Coliseum will host this premier volleyball event.
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