Wingate Graduate Liz Willis Named CCA Southeast Region Scholar-Athlete

Former Wingate volleyball standout Liz Willis has been named the 2011-12 Conference Commissioners Association Southeast Region Scholar-Athlete award winner, joining just 15 other student-athletes from across Division II in receiving the regional honors.

Willis is now eligible for the CCA Scholar-Athlete of the Year award, which is presented annually to one male and one female Division II student-athlete.

"There was no more deserving candidate for the Southeast Region Scholar-Athlete than Liz," said SAC commissioner Patrick Britz. "Her combination of athletic and academic accomplishments last year was simply phenomenal.

"Even though she's no longer competing, we're thrilled to have her continue representing the conference."

Willis graduated from Wingate last May as one of the most decorated volleyball players in SAC history. In 2011, she became the only volleyball student-athlete in league history to sweep the SAC Player of the Year, SAC Scholar-Athlete and SAC Tournament MVP awards in a single season.

She was also named Southeast Region Player of the Year, a Daktronics All-American and the SAC Presidents Award winner for 2011-12.

In Willis' four years at Wingate, the Bulldogs went 130-7 overall and a perfect 68-0 in conference matches. She was part of four SAC regular season championships and four SAC Tournament titles.

Wingate reached the NCAA Volleyball Championship in each of Willis' four seasons, including a berth in the Southeast Regional Final last fall.

Willis graduated with a degree in biology with a 3.87 GPA. Her academic accolades included being named to the Capital One Academic All-America Team last season and earning an NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship.

She served with numerous campus groups throughout her career as well, including as a tutor, a summer resident assistant, a student worker at the WU infirmary and a producer at the Wingate Sports Network.

Willis also gave her time as a volunteer fire fighter and first responder.

The national CCA Scholar-Athlete of the Year award winners will be announced later this fall.