NEWARK, Del. -- University of Delaware junior volleyball standout Michelle LaLonde was honored with the Girard S. and Sharon R. Clothier “EGG” Scholarship, announced by the University this week.

Known as the ‘EGG’ scholarship for its motto, “enjoy, give, grow,” the award is presented to a select female student-athlete who best exhibits the enjoyment of sports, the giving of herself to her teammates and others, and a growth in athletics as well as in life.

LaLonde (at right), a two-year letterwinner for the Blue Hens, has appeared in 59 consecutive matches during her career. As a freshman middle hitter, she earned Colonial Athletic Association All-Rookie honors and was selected as the conference's Rookie of the Week on two separate occasions.

In 2007, she was a key member on the volleyball squad that went 31-5, captured its first CAA title, and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. During the season, she led the conference with a .315 hitting percentage and became the first Blue Hen since 2001 to record at least 100 kills, digs, and blocks in a single-season.

During the New Orleans Invitational, she also earned the Most Valuable Player Award after leading the Blue Hens to the Tournament title. During the team's three matches, she posted 33 kills, 14 digs, nine blocks, and two aces while guiding the team to the championship.

Now entering her third season with the team, LaLonde is the first Blue Hen since Emily Rome in 1992-93 to post at least 100 blocks in each of her first two seasons.

Successful both athletically and academically, LaLonde is a dean’s list student, ESPN the Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-American candidate, and perennial member of the CAA Academic Honor Roll.

Off the court and outside the classroom, she has made her presence felt in the community as well. During her stay in Newark, she has continually helped champion the Blue Hens' community service activities, assisting with the Special Olympics, youth volleyball clinics, and many other positive projects.

A native of Wooster, OH, LaLonde is a biology major at Delaware.