AUSTIN, Texas – Senior Kaylee Neal of the New Mexico State volleyball team was named a 2017 Third-Team Academic All-American by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA), the organization announced on Monday.

"Kaylee has worked incredibly hard and accomplished so much in her time at New Mexico State," head coach Mike Jordan said. "She's earned all of her accolades and we're very proud of her."

The Gilbert, Ariz., native started in 9-of-29 matches this season playing primarily as a defensive specialist. Neal tallied 11 service aces while registering 156 digs. Academically, Neal posted a 4.00 GPA while majoring in accounting as both an undergraduate and a graduate student at New Mexico State.

Neal joins an elite group of Aggies as she is the third player to receive CoSIDA Academic All-America® honors. NM State Hall of Famer Jackie Choi Parker earned third team honors in 2004 before being named to the first team in 2005 and 2006. Jordan Bostic earned the award for her efforts and was named to the third team in 2007.

Of the 21 members of the 2017 CoSIDA Academic All-America® Division I volleyball team, 18 have at least a 3.90 GPA, with 14 student-athletes sporting a perfect 4.0 GPA. The seven members of the first team have an average GPA of 3.98.