UMBC

Iman Kennedy was named to the America East All-Academic Team for the second consecutive year.

CAMBRIDGE, MASS. ­– UMBC volleyball senior Iman Kennedy (Charlotte, N.C./Independence) picked up one more honor in her career as she was named to the America East All-Academic team, the conference office announced on Friday.  Kennedy, who was named to the squad last year as well, had the highest GPA of all the honorees.

“This is just further verification of what an all-around student athlete Iman Kennedy is,” head coach Ian Blanchard said.  “She is a wonderful representative of UMBC, the America East, and the NCAA as a whole and there is no athlete whom I’ve ever coached that I could be more proud of.”

During a stellar career in which she helped lead the Retrievers to a four straight conference championship appearances, Kennedy has maintained a team-high 3.88 GPA while working towards a degree in psychology and earning a minor in Modern Languages and Linguistics.  In her first three years on campus, the senior was named to the President’s List twice for earning a 4.0 during the semester.  She has also been named to the Dean’s List in every semester at UMBC.

On the court in 2011, Kennedy led UMBC in blocks per set (0.92) and was second on the team in hitting percentage (.287) and kills (188).  During the Retrievers' five-set win over Providence to clinch a spot in the conference tournament, Kennedy recorded a career-high 21 kills. 

For her career, Kennedy ranks second in school history with 276 block assists, and fourth at UMBC with 306 total blocks. 

“Iman has done everything the right way,” Blanchard said.  “She has worked incredibly hard for everything that she has accomplished.”

After graduation, Kennedy plans to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Dentistry, where she has earned a scholarship.

“Iman needs to be a spokewoman for the NCAA and what athletics can provide,” said Blanchard.  “She has used every opportunity, and worked really hard to fulfill her dreams.”

Kennedy’s honor marks the fourth time in five years that the Retrievers have had a member on the conference All-Academic team.  A year ago, both Kennedy and Allie Spaay were honored, while Ashley Oscars and Sarah Ball were honored in 2007 and 2008, respectively.