Kansas City, Mo. – Three Saint Xavier University women's volleyball players were recently named 2012 Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athletes by the NAIA national office in Kansas City, Mo.  Seniors Desiree Aramburu (Chicago, Ill./Radford University/Mother McAuley), Kayla Mullaney (Elmhurst, Ill./York Community) and Colleen O'Hara (Lemont, Ill./University of Iowa/Lemont) represented SXU as three of the 408 players to earn the 2012 Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athlete distinction.  In order to be nominated, a student-athlete must maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale and achieved junior academic status.  Hastings (Neb.) and Indiana Tech led all NAIA institutions with each fielding eight individuals on the list.

Lexington, Ky. – Saint Xavier University women's volleyball seniors Desiree Aramburu (Chicago, Ill./Radford University/Mother McAuley) and Kelly Knudsen (Oak Lawn, Ill./Oak Lawn Community) were both named to the 2012 American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) NAIA All-Mideast Region First Team when the awards were announced Wednesday.  Aramburu, a setter, and Knudsen, an outside hitter, were among 14 total players announced for the Mideast Region First Team with fellow Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) members Trinity Christian College (Ill.) and University of St. Francis (Ill.) also boasting two honorees.

CHICAGO - In preparation for the Saint Xavier University women's volleyball team's Opening Round match against No. 15 Madonna University (Mich.) on Saturday, November 17, the SXU Sports Information Office talked to each of the players as well as head coach Bob Heersema to get their reactions about the season and Saturday's big match-up.  Access the interviews of the volleyball team by clicking on the video player below.  The opening round match of the 2012 NAIA Volleyball National Championships will be held in Livonia, Mich., and begins at 11 a.m. (central) Saturday.  Fans unable to make it to Livonia for the match have the option to watch it live online at the link below.