RICHMOND, Va. – University of Delaware senior libero Stephanie Barry has been honored as the 2009 Colonial Athletic Association Scholar-Athlete of the Year for volleyball after capping off a successful fall season both on the court and in the classroom.

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 average of 3.25 and be a starter or key reserve. The recipients are selected from a vote of the league sports information directors.

Barry is just the third player in program history to earn the honor. Colleen Walsh was the last Blue Hen to receive the CAA accolade after earning it in 2007, while Kathy Shaw took home the North Atlantic Conference’s Scholar-Athlete award in 1994.

During the 2009 campaign, Barry helped the Blue Hens claim a share of the CAA Regular Season Championship and finish with a 21-8 record, including a 12-2 mark in conference action. Guided by her efforts, the squad finished the season ranked fifth in the region and 46th in the nation, highlighted by victories over perennial powers North Carolina and Pittsburgh.

On an individual level, Barry finished the year ranked second in the conference and 25th in the country with a 5.13 digs-per-set average. A three-time Defensive Player of the Week selection, she posted three 30-dig performances, including a season-high 35 against both Towson and North Carolina.

Barry eventually finished the season with a team-high 580 digs, while she ranked second on the squad with 33 aces. Her efforts helped the Hens rank among the top-25 in the nation in both digs- and aces-per-set.

After wrapping up her career with a successful senior campaign, Barry finished with a slew of records. Not only did she set a new school and conference record for career digs with 2,401, but she also broke the mark for consecutive sets played with 488. That streak ranks third all-time in NCAA history.

Aided by her record-setting performances, Barry established herself as the most decorated player in program history. The first two-time All-American in CAA history, she was also selected to the first-team All-Region squad twice during her career.

A three-time first-team All-Conference selection and two-time Defensive Specialist of the Year honoree, Barry was the only active player selected to the CAA’s Silver Anniversary team.

A business finance major and perennial member of the dean’s list, Barry has been a four-time recipient of the CAA Commissioner’s Academic Award. She also garnered a spot on the second-team ESPN/CoSIDA Academic All-District squad this season.

Along with Barry, the CAA honored William & Mary’s Brian Sklodowski and Emily Anderson as the conference’s Cross Country Scholar-Athletes, while James Madison’s Kelsey Cutchins earned the field hockey honor. George Mason’s Richard Edgar and Virginia Commonwealth’s Amanda Adams were the soccer recipients.