WAYNE, Neb. -- Four Wayne State College volleyball players were named to the 2022 CoSIDA Academic All-District Team announced Tuesday. Sophomore Taya Beller, juniors Kelsie Cada and Rachel Walker and senior Jessie Brandl now advance to the Academic All-America ballot with honorees to be announced in late December.

The Academic All-District Women’s Volleyball Team is selected by College Sports Communicators and recognizes the top student athletes for their combined performances on the court and in the classroom. All selections have to maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.50 or higher.

Beller, a 6'2'' sophomore middle hitter from Lindsay, maintains a 3.71 grade point average majoring in business management and management. She was named the NSIC Offensive Player of the Year and D2CCA Central Region Player of the Year this season for the Wildcats after leading the Wildcats in kills per set (3.88). Beller ranked second in the NSIC this season in hitting percentage (.398), third in kills, fourth in points per set (4.46) and eighth in blocks (0.99).

Brandl, a 5'8'' senior libero from Stanton, carries a 3.83 grade point average majoring in communication studies and human services, averaged a team-high 4.14 digs per set this season to rank sixth in the NSIC. She was voted to the NCAA Central Region All-Tournament Team and is a two-time NSIC All-Academic Team of Excellence selection.

Cada, a 6'0'' junior outside hitter from Wahoo, has a 3.91 grade point average majoring in sport management with minor in exercise science, was a First Team All-NSIC honoree this season for Wayne State. She averaged 3.54 kills and 2.96 digs per set for the Wildcats, ranking sixth in the league in kills and points per set (4.11).

Walker, a 5'9'' junior setter from Lincoln (Southwest HS), is majoring in elementary education and has a 3.94 grade point average. She earned First Team All-NSIC honors this season for Wayne State after averaging 10.64 assists per set to rank sixth in the NSIC. Walker also averaged 2.55 digs per set and had 30 service aces to rank third on the team.

Wayne State College finished the 2022 season with a record of 30-3 and won the schools’ first-ever Northern Sun Conference regular season title. The Wildcats, ranked second in the AVCA Division II Top 25 Coaches Poll, hosted the NCAA Central Region Tournament and reached the semi-finals before ending their season with a loss to #7 St. Cloud State.