May 21, 2009

DAVIS, Calif. - UC Davis senior women's water polo player Lindsay Kiyama earned first-team honors on the CoSIDA Academic All-District 8 At-Large squad, presented by ESPN The Magazine. She was one of two Aggie student-athletes to make the team, joining senior tennis player Randi Schuler.

Kiyama, an attacker from Concord, Calif., was one of 32 individuals named to one of the three rolls for the University Division's District 8, which encompasses all Division I programs in the West. Her inclusion on the first team automatically advances her as a nominee for Academic All-America status.

Kiyama earned a 3.73 grade-point average in biochemistry/molecular biology. This honor is one of many scholar-athlete accolades in her four-year Aggie career. As a junior, Kiyama captured the university's W.P. Lindley Award for outstanding achievement in academics, athletics and leadership; and has won All-Academic honors from the Western Water Polo Association and the Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches during each of her three previous years.

In the water, Kiyama earned a All-Big West Conference first-team nod in the league's inaugural season, leading the team and ranking fifth in the conference with 53 goals. She also paced UC Davis with 43 steals and ranked among team leaders with 32 blocks and 10 blocks. Kiyama, who earned ACWPC All-America honorable mention in 2008, finished her career among the school's all-time leaders in goals, assists, points and shooting percentage.

To earn Academic All-District honors, a student-athlete must be a starter or key reserve with a cumulative GPA of 3.30 or better. Furthemore, an honoree must have participated in 50 percent of the team's contests for the season, completed one full calendar year at the current institution and have reached or surpassed sophomore eligibility. The At-Large division of the awards program covers 25 different sports, including 13 for women.

UC Davis women's water polo finished 23-10 for the season, ranking as high as No. 7 in the national coaches' poll.