Feb. 11, 2011

LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - The UNLV volleyball team had four student-athletes named to the 2010 Fall Academic All-Mountain West Conference Award, including two repeat selections, the league announced. Seniors Kelsey Keeler and Sara Nehf have earned the award at least once before, while freshmen Sekola Falemaka and Madeline Westman are first-time honorees.

Keeler (3.71 in nursing) is one of five Rebels past and present that have met the conference's academic standards for the award all four years of her career on the court and in the classroom. She joins Erin Greenwood (2006-09), Maria Aladjova (2004-07), Jada Walker (2004-07) and Kristin Koochi (2003-06) in the select club. Keeler finished the year third in kills (222), kills per set (2.02), total blocks (77) and assisted blocks (69).

Nehf (3.03 in secondary education, who was named to the MWC's All-Conference Team, led the Rebels in kills (393), kills per set (3.45) and aces (20). She finished second in double-doubles (five) and third in both digs (182) and digs per set (1.61). She previously claimed the academic award in 2008.

Falemaka (3.00 undeclared) and Westman (4.00 undeclared), who were freshmen this year, played major roles for UNLV this past fall. Falemaka recorded 121 digs, 97 kills, 16 assisted blocks, 15 assists and seven aces. Westman, on the other hand, led the team in total blocks (123) and assisted blocks (107), which both rank in the top 10 of UNLV's single-season record book. She also ranked third in aces (17) and also contributed 189 kills, 53 digs and 10 assists.

To be eligible for selection, student-athletes must have completed at least one academic term at the member institution while maintaining a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better, and be a starter or significant contributor on their athletic team.