One of the biggest parts of being a student-athlete is learning how to manage time. Between 6:30 a.m. workouts to class to practice to studying, these college students have to be on top of their game at all times. Moriah Bellissimo, a senior outside hitter on the Georgia Southern volleyball team, is the epitome of “on top of your game.” Bellissimo carries a 4.0 GPA, was named to the 2012 All-SoCon second team and was also named first-team Capital One Academic All-America by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).
Because her dad was a football coach, Bellissmio knew about moving around a lot and knew about change and Georgia Southern was a place where she knew she could stay for four years and make an impact. She did just that.
On the court, the Blackstone, Va., native was a four-year letterwinner for the Eagles. She played in 121 matches and tallied 783 kills, 1,155 digs, 202 blocks, 185 assists and 87 aces in her career, and helped lead the Eagles to a 2010 SoCon Tournament title and a 91-41 record in four years. As a senior, she helped lead the Eagles to a 25-7 record and the SoCon South Division regular-season title. She was named second-team All-SoCon and SoCon Offensive Player of the Week (Nov. 6-12).
Bellissimo was just as effective off the court in her career at Georgia Southern. A three-time Academic All-SoCon and SoCon Academic Honor Roll selection, Bellissimo truly knows how to manage her time between being an athlete and being a student. She boasts a 4.0 GPA in exercise science and was named first-team Capital One Academic All-America by CoSIDA in December. She is the 11th Academic All-America selection at Georgia Southern and the fourth Eagle to earn first-team honors. She was named the SoCon Student-Athlete of the Week (Nov. 14) as a senior, was the 2012 Georgia Southern Female Scholar Athlete of the Year and currently serves as president of the Georgia Southern Student-Athlete Advisory Board.
Along with her academic and athletic accomplishments, Bellissimo’s volunteer work was also noticed and she was named a 2012-13 SoCon Graduate Scholar. She was awarded a Southern Conference Presidential graduate scholarship. Bellissimo was a camp huddle leader for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, volunteered at a soup kitchen and helped raise money for Relay for Life. She plans to attend Georgia State University to pursue a master’s degree in nutrition and become a registered dietitian.
Bellissimo has left an impact on her teammates, her classmates, and the whole community at Georgia Southern. She has definitely set the bar high for future Eagle student-athletes.