For Immediate Release
Friday, November 9, 2018
NSIC Media Relations
NSIC Elite 18 Award

DULUTH, Minn. – Makenzie Morgen of the University of Minnesota Duluth has been named the 2018 NSIC Elite 18 Award winner for volleyball. Morgen was presented the award during the pregame of the UMD versus Sioux Falls semifinal volleyball match at the NSIC Tournament, which is taking place at Romano Gym in Duluth, Minnesota.  Morgen earns the award for the second year in a row. 

Morgen is a senior majoring in biology and holds a 4.00 grade point average.  The Appleton, Wisconsin native leads the Bulldogs in points per game as she has 3.41 on the season.  A starter in all 30 matches, Morgen is hitting .228 on the season with 304 kills, 290 digs, 36 blocks and 17 service aces. Morgen is a three-time All-NSIC performer earning second team honors as a sophomore and junior and first team honors this season. 
 
As part of the NSIC 25th Anniversary celebration during the 2016-17 academic year, the NSIC Elite 18 Award was instituted to recognize the true essence of the student-athlete by honoring the individual who has reached the pinnacle of competition at the NSIC Championship level in his or her sport, while also achieving the highest academic standard among his or her peers. The NSIC Elite 18 award is presented to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade-point average participating at the finals site for each of the NSIC’s 18 Championships.

Selection Criteria
1. Academically the student-athlete has achieved at least sophomore status as defined by his or her own institution.

2. Athletically the student-athlete is in his or her second year of competition at his or her current institution.

3. Athletically the student-athlete is an active member on the roster and a member of the designated squad size for the sport at the championship site.

4. A student-athlete may win the award only once per academic year even if she or he participates in more than one sport.

5. Grade point average is based on the cumulative grade point average at the time of nomination as calculated by each institution. Grade point average calculations will be based on a 4.00 scale and will be reported to two decimal places.

6. In the event of a tie based on grade point average, the award is presented to the student-athlete with the highest total number of credit hours earned.

7. If a tie still exists after looking at the total number of credit hours earned, all student-athletes who are tied shall be presented with the NSIC Elite 18 Award.

For more information on the Elite 18 award winners, log on to: http://northernsun.org/Elite18