Nov. 9, 2007

SAN DIEGO - San Diego State women `s volleyball player Kristen Castillo has been named to the 2007 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District VIII volleyball third team, announced Thursday by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).

Castillo was honored for her achievements both in the classroom and on the court. As a nursing major, the senior from Torrance, Calif., has compiled a 3.70 cumulative grade-point average during her four years at San Diego State. She is a three-time Mountain West Conference all-academic team selection and has been named winner of an SDSU scholar-athlete award each of the previous three years. She is also a three-time recipient of the MWC Scholar-Athlete award, given to players with a minimum 3.60 gpa.

As one of two setters who split time in SDSU's 6-2 offense, Castillo has played in every game during the 2007 season. She recorded a career-high 63 assists in the win over nationally-ranked UNLV on Sept. 21 and also had a career-best 15 digs in that match. Her total of 2,568 assists places her fifth on the Aztec career list in that category and she is ranked among the top 10 in the conference in assists in league matches.

To be eligible for the ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-America honors, a student-athlete must maintain at least a 3.20 cumulative grade-point average, must be a significant contributor to the team, and be in at least their second season at their current school. District VIII is comprised of all NCAA Division I schools from California, Alaska, Arizona, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Washington and Utah.