RICHMOND, VA -- University of Delaware senior outside hitter Colleen Walsh was named the Colonial Athletic Association Scholar-Athlete of the Year for volleyball, the CAA has announced.

One student-athlete from each CAA sport is selected as the Scholar-Athlete of the Year based on academics, athletics, and community service. To be eligible, student-athletes must have a minimum grade point index of 3.2, be a starter or key reserve, and have at least sophomore class standing. The recipients are selected from a vote of the league sports information directors.

Walsh is just the second Blue Hen volleyball player to receive a conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year award following Kathy Shaw who earned the distinction in 1994 from the North Atlantic Conference.

Over the past four years, Colleen has excelled both on and off the volleyball court. For her success in the classroom, the economics major from Cleveland, OH (Regina High School) was named to the ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District first team earlier this season.

A dean’s list student and perennial selection to the CAA Academic Honor Roll, Walsh has served as the vice president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Council during the past two years. Over that time, she has helped the group raise thousands of dollars for charity including the Delaware Special Olympics.

Walsh, who is also a member of Delaware Christian Athletes, has been successful with her work in the community as well, volunteering her time with several organizations while also traveling to Trinidad & Tobago last winter to expand the reach of her goodwill.

On the court, Colleen has made an equally significant impact during her time at Delaware, leading the volleyball team to a 31-5 record, its first ever CAA Championship, and an appearance in the NCAA Tournament as a senior.

On an individual level, Walsh earned CAA Player of the Year honors and was also selected to the honorable mention AVCA All-East Region team in 2007. During the year, she recorded a conference-best 564 kills. Her 4.34 kills-per-game average was also second in the conference, while her .267 hitting percentage was third on the team and sixth in the league.

Against UMBC earlier this year, she broke the school record for most career kills as well. She finished her standout four-year career with 1,856, besting Karen Kunselman's previous mark of 1,553 set from 1993-96. Her 3.85 kills-per-game average also set a new program record.

In addition to Walsh, the CAA also honored James Madison’s Kelsey Cutchins (field hockey), Hofstra’s Sue Weber (women’s soccer), Georgia State’s Rachel Hannah (women’s cross country), and William & Mary’s Ryan Overdevest (men’s soccer) and Christo Landry (men’s cross country).