MOBILE, Ala. - For the second straight season, University of South Alabama senior volleyball player Tereza Bendlova has been selected to the ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District team.  On Thursday, Bendlova was named to the District Four first team after winning third team honors a season ago.  With her first team selection, Bendlova is now eligible to be selected to the Academic All-America team, scheduled to be announced on Nov. 23. 

"Tereza is one of those special student-athletes who is extremely focused both and off the court," South Alabama head coach Nicole Keshock said.  "She is a hard worker.  I'm really proud of her and she deserves this award because of how focused she has always been.  She doesn't allow outside distractions to get in the way of her goals.  That is why she has been able to be successful both on and off the court."

Along with Bendlova, fellow Sun Belt Conference player Brittany Bowen (Western Kentucky) was also selected to the district's first team.
 
To have been nominated for the award, players must be at least a sophomore both academically and athletically, have maintained at least a 3.30 grade point average and been either a starter or a key reserve.  Bendlova carries a 4.00 GPA in Interdisciplinary Studies.

This season, Bendlova has competed in 27 matches for the Jags, starting 18.  The Prague, Czech Republic native has also recorded 142 kills this season (1.58 kps) and 161 digs (1.79 dps).
 
Bendlova and the rest of her Jaguar teammates will begin a three-match home stand when they host Troy on Friday at 7 p.m. at Jaguar Gym.

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com.  Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

NOTE:  South Alabama's match time versus Western Kentucky on Friday, Nov. 13 has been changed.  First serve versus the Hilltoppers will now be at 7 p.m.  The match had originally been scheduled to begin at 5 p.m.

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