OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – Georgia Southern setter Kate Van Dyke has been named one of 30 volleyball candidates for the Senior CLASS Award, it was announced yesterday.

The 2012 candidate class includes 16 American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-Americans from last season. Twenty-four of the 30 candidates have maintained a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or better, and one was recognized by the College Sports Information Directors of America as a 2011 Capital One Academic All-American.

A three-year All-Southern Conference selection and Most Outstanding Player at the 2010 SoCon Tournament, Van Dyke already owns the Georgia Southern record in career assists with 4,578. She ranks 34th in the country and second in the SoCon in assists this season, averaging 11.13 per set.

Van Dyke has been named to the SoCon Academic Honor Roll all three years and has earned Academic All-SoCon accolades twice. She has played in 113 career matches and logged 1,080 digs, 172 blocks, 398 kills and 93 service aces.

From the list of 30 candidates, a national media committee will select 10 finalists for the 2012 Senior CLASS Award in October, and those 10 names will be placed on the official ballot. Ballots will be distributed through a nationwide voting system to media, coaches and fans, who will select one candidate who best exemplifies excellence in the four Cs of community, classroom, character and competition.

To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence – community, classroom, character and competition. The Senior CLASS Award winners will be announced during the 2012 NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Championship, which will take place Dec. 13 and 15 in Louisville, Ky.