[Volleyball] Boston, Knittel Selected to CoSIDA Academic All-District Team

WICHITA, Kan. – Friends University senior setter Jana Boston has been picked as a first-team College of Sports Information Directors of America Academic All-District honoree, with junior setter Abigail Knittel earning second-team recognition, the organization has announced.

As a first-team honoree, Boston advances to the CoSIDA Academic All-America ballot, where first, second and third-team winners will be announced in early December.

To qualify for this award, a student-athlete must maintain a minimum 3.30 grade-point-average and be at least a sophomore in athletic standing that participates in a minimum 50 percent of their team's athletic contests.

"Having Jana and Abigail recognized by CoSIDA is a direct testament to how hard these two young women work in the classroom," Friends head coach Martin Ayin said. "It's also a direct reflection of every member of our team."

Also a CoSIDA Academic All-District choice in 2017, Boston has been the epitome of a student-athlete since the first day she stepped on campus.

The 2016 KCAC Freshman of the Year, Boston is the program's all-time assist leader (4,606). 

The Newton, Kan. native is a two-time first-team All-KCAC performer and four-time all-conference selection overall. She has been named KCAC Setter of the Week twice this season and leads the conference in assists (1,265) and is second in assists per set (9.2).

Meanwhile, Knittel has contributed in a variety of ways this season for the Falcons. She is fifth on the team in kills (189) and has a team-high 30 service aces. She also has 201 digs and 42 blocks on the season.

The Falcons open up the KCAC postseason tournament today (Nov. 15) as the sixth-seed and will square off with 11th seeded Avila University at 2:30 pm in Hutchinson, Kan.

The CoSIDA Academic All-District® teams are divided into geographic districts across the United States and Canada.

For the official CoSIDA release, click HERE.