Oct. 2, 2008

DAYTON, Ohio - The University of Dayton softball team continues to earn honors for its academic achievements. The most recent recognition for the Flyers was being named to the Girls Got Game/NFCA All-Academic Team.

Dayton posted a team GPA of 3.363, which was the 17th best in the NCAA Division I category. The Flyers were just one of two schools from the Atlantic 10 to be named to the Top 100. Saint Louis also made the list. Only one other university in Ohio posted a higher GPA than Dayton - Akron was No. 13 with a 3.390 team GPA.

"Our softball program has high performance expectations both on the field and in the classroom," said UD head coach Cara Clark. "These student-athletes make a strong commitment to their academic success. We are extremely proud of their accomplishments."

The All-Academic Teams were chosen based on the GPAs submitted for the 2007-08 school year. Through the program, the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) honors high school and collegiate softball teams for their success in the classroom.

Sophomores Allie Falk and Alicia Nichols, along with recent graduates Erin Lafayette and Laura Matthews, also received individual kudos and were named NFCA All-America Scholar Athletes. Each had a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher. Dayton has a tradition of being one of the nation's leaders in Academic All-Americans for softball and all sports. For 23 consecutive years the University of Dayton has had at least one student-athlete named an Academic All-American.

The honors are the latest in a string of academic accolades for the Flyers. Lafayette and Matthews were also selected to the Atlantic 10 Academic All-Conference team for their abilities in the classroom and on the field. The two selections were the most of any A-10 member; Charlotte, Fordham, George Washington, Massachusetts, St. Bonaventure, Saint Joseph's, Saint Louis and Temple all had one recipient.

Matthews also earned a second-team selection on the 2008 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America Softball Teams, as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). She graduated in May with a degree in Sport Management, completed her undergraduate work with a 3.8 cumulative grade-point average and was a member of the Dean's List for eight consecutive semesters.