Greenwood, Ind., December 17, 2024 – Four players on the University of South Florida volleyball team earned a spot on the 2024 College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team, the organization announced on Tuesday. Maria Clara Andrade, Naiya Sawtelle, Ally Cavanaugh, and Tizi Puljiz represented the Bulls.
 
Andrade, who was named the American Athletic Player of the Year, started in all 29 matches this season for the Bulls. She led South Florida with 453 kills, 507 points, 4.69 points per set, and 4.19 kills per set. Andrade is currently working towards her degree in Business Management. 
 
Sawtelle finished second on the team with 337 kills, 3.55 kills per set, 359.5 points, and 3.78 points per set. She was named to the American Athletic All-Conference First Team. Sawtelle is currently earning her masters in Business Administration.
 
Cavanaugh appeared in all 29 matches, earning a start in 26. She was third on the team with 270 kills, 302.5 points, 2.88 points per set, and 2.57 kills per set. Cavanaugh is currently earning her degree in Health Sciences. 
 
Puljiz is earning her first Academic All-District award in her career. She led South Florida in blocks with 69 on the season. She was fourth on the team with 27 service aces. Puljiz is currently working towards her degree in Business Management. 
 
The complete list of winners can be found here.
 
The 2024 Academic All-District® Volleyball teams, selected by College Sports Communicators, recognize the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances on the court and in the classroom. The CSC Academic All-America® program separately recognizes volleyball honorees in four divisions — NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, and NAIA.
 
About USF Volleyball
Head coach Jolene Shepardson enters her fifth season at the helm of her alma mater in 2024. Named head coach on January 8, 2020, Shepardson led the Bulls to a conference championship and the program's last NCAA tournament appearance as a student-athlete in 2002. South Florida won the AAC East Division title in 2023, made a postseason appearance in the NIVC, won three matches, and advanced to the Fab Four to mark the longest postseason run in program history. South Florida Volleyball has made seven NCAA Tournament appearances and won 12 conference titles since its inception in 1972. The Bulls play in The Corral (1,000), located adjacent to the Yuengling Center on the USF campus in Tampa.
 
Be sure to follow USF women's volleyball on social media (X / Instagram / Facebook) and visit GoUSFBulls.com for the most up-to-date information.