December 12, 2023

MADISON, S.D. – The 2023 Academic All-District® Volleyball teams, selected by College Sports Communicators, recognize the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances on the court and in the classroom.  The CSC Academic All-America® program separately recognizes volleyball honorees in four divisions – NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, and NAIA.

Two Dakota State (S.D.) athletes were named to the CSC Women's Volleyball Academic All-District in the NAIA Division.  Senior Madalyn Groft and junior Sydney Schell were listed on the CSC Academic All-District for their excellence in the classroom and athletically on the court.

Academic All-District® honorees were considered for advancement to the CSC Academic All-America® ballot.  Student-athletes selected as CSC Academic All-America® finalists are denoted with an asterisk and will advance to the national ballot to be voted on by CSC members (see link on the right-side blue bar).  First-, second-, and third-team Academic All-America® honorees will be announced on Jan. 9, 2024.

Groft is a senior setter/right side from Mellette, S.D.  She majors in math education at Dakota State University.  She had been named to the North Star Athletic Association All-Conference for three seasons and received the NSAA's Champions of Character medallion this past fall.

Schell is a junior outside hitter from Aberdeen, S.D., and majors in cyber operations at DSU.  She is two-time NSAA All-Conference First Team, AVCA-NAIA Volleyball All-Region First Team, and AVCA-NAIA Volleyball All-America honorable mention.

Both Groft and Schell earned conference and NAIA national academic awards.