SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. – Four members of the Shepherd University volleyball team have been named to the 2023 Academic All‐District® Women's Volleyball Teams, selected by College Sports Communicators. The teams recognize the nation's top student‐athletes for their combined performances on the court and in the classroom. The CSC Academic All‐America® program separately recognizes volleyball honorees in four divisions — NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, and NAIA.  

Senior setter Victoria Nicholes (North Huntington, Pa./Norwin), senior libero Claire Ellis (Louisa, Va./Saint Catherine's School), junior middle blocker Joi Fairweather (Tamarac, Fla./Calvary Christian Academy), and junior middle hitter Renee Killough  (Bloomery, W.Va./Hampshire) have garnered CSC Academic All-District honors.  

Nicholes carries a 3.96 grade point average as an environmental studies major. She tops the team in assists (804), is second in digs (272), fourth in service aces (36), and fourth in blocks. Nicholes finished her career with 2,346 assists to rank fifth on the SU all-time list. 

Ellis boasts a 3.73 grade point average as a psychology/ criminology major. The second team All-PSAC East choice topped the team in digs (511) and aces (45). She added 100 assists and four kills. She was named to a pair of All-Tournament teams this season. Ellis recorded 20 digs or more in 10 contests this season. Her 511 digs this year are the fifth most in program history, while her 1,417 career digs place her fifth on the Shepherd all-time list. 

Fairweather boasts a 3.56 grade point average as a nursing major. She appeared in all 29 matches with 20 starts. She recorded 266 kills, 82 blocks, 73 digs, and four assists. Her 266 kills were third on the team, while her 82 blocks were second on the team. 

Killough carries a 3.67 grade point average as a biology major. Killough, a first team All-PSAC selection, topped the team in total blocks (131), block solos (28), and block assists (103). Killough added 204 kills, 82 digs, 23 aces, and eight assists. She gained PSAC East Athlete of the Week honors for Oct. 16. She ranks 19th nationally in total blocks (131) and 20th in blocks per set (1.21). 

Academic All-District® honorees were considered for advancement to the CSC Academic All-America® ballot. Student-athletes selected as CSC Academic All-America® finalists are denoted with an asterisk and will advance to the national ballot to be voted on by CSC members. First-, second- and third-team Academic All-America® honorees will be announced Jan. 9, 2024.  

The Division II and III CSC Academic All-America® programs are partially financially supported by the NCAA Division II and III national governance structures to assist CSC with handling the awards fulfillment aspects for the 2023-24 Divisions II and III Academic All-America® programs. The NAIA CSC Academic All-America® program is partially financially supported through the NAIA governance structure.