BOWLING GREEN, Ky. - Western Kentucky University volleyball player Brittany Bowen has been named to the Academic All-District IV First Team, the College Sports Information Directors of America (Cosida) and ESPN The Magazine announced today. Bowen, who was named to the Third Team last season, was honored on the First Team for the first time in her career. To be eligible for the honor, a student-athlete must be a starter or important reserve with at least a 3.30 grade point average on a 4.0 scale.

"It is great to see Brittany honored for everything she brings to this program," head coach Travis Hudson said. "She has had a great career athletically here at WKU and she has matched that success in the classroom."

Bowen, a chemistry major from Ada, Mich., has been a leader for the Lady Toppers on and off the court this season. She currently leads the Lady Toppers in blocks this season and with 260 blocks in her career, she is ranked fifth in WKU history in blocks and block assists and tenth in solo blocks. In addition, she has accumulated over 925 kills during her career and is ranked third this season in kills and hitting percentage. This season, she has recorded a .300 hitting percentage or better in 18 matches and double-digit kills eight times. She has also posted multiple blocks in 23 matches. A three-time SBC Commissioner's List honoree, she has been named to the WKU Dean's List several times and the President's List five out of six semesters. A 2008 Sun Belt Conference Second Team selection, she is a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Honor Society and has received the team's academic award for five semesters.

Joining Bowen on the First Team from the Sun Belt Conference was Tereza Bendlova from South Alabama. Bowen and the Lady Toppers will wrap up their home regular season this weekend when they host SBC leader Florida International on Friday night and Florida Atlantic on Saturday afternoon. The Lady Toppers, who are 21-7 this season and 10-3 in the Sun Belt Conference, will take on FIU at 7 p.m. on Friday night and FAU at 1 p.m. on Saturday.