Spartanburg, S.C. -- The Southern Conference today named Appalachian State volleyball player Dianna Thomas as the TIAA-CREF Southern Conference Student-Athlete of the Week for the week of November 2.

Thomas, a junior from Mobile, Ala., led the Mountaineers to a 2-0 record last week to boost Appalachian State to 12-2 in the conference and 19-8 overall. She had a career night against the Phoenix on Friday night, tying her career high with 18 kills and set a career high with 10 digs for her first career double-double. She hit at a .533 mark and added six blocks assists and a service as the Mountaineers topped Elon 3-1. On Saturday, Thomas led the team with 12 kills and a .647 hitting percentage, adding three digs and a block assist in the win over UNC Greensboro.  Thomas recorded 30 kills, averaging 4.29 per game, hit at a .574 clip and averaged 1.86 digs per game in the two matches.

In the classroom, Thomas is majoring in exercise science and boasts a 4.0 grade point average. She has received the Southern Conference Commissioner’s Medal twice, and is a three-time member of the SoCon Honor Roll and Volleyball Academic All-Conference team.

For more than 85 years, TIAA-CREF has been helping millions of people working in the academic, medical and cultural fields plan for their retirement. The organization’s clear and long-held commitment to serve those who dedicate themselves to the benefit and enlightenment of others remains unchanged.

With a non-profit heritage, TIAA-CREF has long subscribed to a different set of guiding principles. Principles directly influenced by the people they serve. With over $380 billion in combined assets as of June 30, 2004, their approach to investing goes beyond sound portfolio management. Visit TIAA-CREF.org or call 800-842-2776.