AUSTIN, Texas – American University senior Monika Smidova has been selected to the Capital One Academic All-America Division I volleyball team as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). 

Smidova, a business administration major with a 3.82 GPA, was voted to the third team. She is the fourth player in AU history to receive Academic All-America accolades and first since Karla Kucerkova was voted as the Academic All-American of the Year in 2002 and 2003.

Other AU players who have earned Academic All-America distinction include Vendula Kurkova (1997-98) and Natalie Hand (2002).

Smidova's selection to the Capital One Academic All-America team is the latest in a long list of accolades for the setter this season. Most recently chosen as an AVCA All-East Region honoree, Smidova was voted as the 2014 Patriot League Player of the Year, Setter of the Year and Scholar-Athlete of the Year. She was also a first-team All-Patriot League selection and was chosen as the PL Tournament MVP after leading the Eagles to their 12th Patriot League title in 14 seasons.

A native of Plzen, Czech Republic, Smidova averaged 9.63 assists, 3.06 digs and 1.41 kills per set in 2014, helping American compile a 26-7 overall record and 15-1 mark in the Patriot League. She also ranks fourth in program history in career assists despite playing just three seasons.