FOND DU LAC - Junior Kayla Kolpitcke of Marian University women's ice hockey has been named Academic All-District by the organization College Sports Communicators.

The Academic All-America program run by CSC is considered one of the most prestigious awards as it is one of the few awards that combines academics and athletics.  To be nominated, a student-athlete must be a starter or important reserve with at least a 3.5 cumulative grade point average at their current institution.  The student-athlete must also be at least a sophomore and have been attending their current institution for a full calendar year. 

Kolpitcke (Powell, Wyo.) earns recognition as Academic All-District by CSC for her performance with women's hockey and lacrosse this past season.  She is studying nursing and holds a 3.64 cumulative grade point average. 

On the ice, Kolpitcke earned her first All-NCHA selection after finishing the season 7-10-1 with a single-season Marian record 2.55 goals-against average, also fifth in the NCHA.  She also posted a .925 save percentage with 566 total saves, fifth in the conference.  During NCHA games, Kolpitcke was one of just two goalies in the conference to finish in the top five for saves and save percentage.  Kolpitcke had 10 performances this season with at least 30 saves stopping a season-high 49 shots on the road at No. 14 St. Norbert.  Through her third season as a Sabre, Kolpitcke ranks second all-time for wins with 14, third for saves (1,687), and third for shutouts with three.  She is also on pace to set program records for goals-against average and save percentage.

In lacrosse, Kolpitcke was one of the top defenders for a Marian squad that set a program record for wins and qualified for the NACC Tournament.  Kolpitcke was second in the NACC this season with 2.4 caused turnovers per game and was 16th in the country, first in the NACC, with 4.93 ground balls per game.  She had at least four ground balls in 11 games with a season-high 10 coming in a win over Beloit.  Kolpitcke also caused multiple turnovers in 10 games and ended the season with multiple caused turnovers in the final five games.  Her season-high for caused turnovers came in a win over Elmhurst where she forced five turnovers. 

The full team and more information on the CSC Academic All-America program can be found at https://academicallamerica.com/.

Kolpitcke becomes the first Sabre for the women's hockey program to earn CSC Academic All-District and joins junior Nicole Stachon and senior Dallas Kreisa as the first student-athletes for the Sabre women's lacrosse to earn the award.  Kolpitcke is also a member of the Marian women's soccer program.