The women’s volleyball team at Morton College recnently was named an academic team of the year by the National Junior College Athletic Association for the fall of 2008.

The 10-member women’s volleyball team at Morton College compiled a grade-point average of 3.25 on a 4-point scale last fall. Morton College was one of six teams from Illinois honored and just one of two from the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference. South Mountain of Phoenix topped the list with a 3.71 team GPA.

Three team members — sophomore setter Katie Gazer, sophomore outside hitter Kate Dziekan and sophomore middle hitter Mariann Porro — were named to Morton College’s president’s list, which goes to those with a 3.75 GPA or higher.

Three additional team members — freshman outside hitter Paige Ferchau, freshman outside hitter Jessica O’Brien and sophomore setter Vanessa Davids — qualified for the Morton College dean’s list, for a GPA between 3.0 and 3.74.

“I’m extremely proud of our women’s volleyball team,” said George Fejt, Morton College’s coordinator of athletics. “It’s not an easy accomplishment. Every one needs to pull their weight and in this case, they did.

“This speaks very highly of the type of student-athlete we’re attracting and it speaks well of the college as a whole,” Fejt added.

Morton College’s head coach is Tom Malesky and the assistant coach is Rose Gronko. The team produced as many NJCAA Academic Teams of the Year (58) as did the other six fall sports combined last fall.