DURHAM, N.C. — North Carolina Central senior libero Erika Ianovale has been voted to the 2018 Google Cloud Academic All-America® Volleyball Team, which recognizes the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances athletically and in the classroom, as announced by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).
 
Ianovale made Third Team and is just one of 22 honorees to be selected Google Cloud Academic All-America® Volleyball Team out of student-athletes from 336 NCAA Division I volleyball programs. She is the only award winner from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). Ianovale is the 10th NCCU student-athlete to earn this distinction (sixth in the modern DI era) and first ever from the volleyball program.
 
"It's fantastic," said NCCU third-year head coach Jody Brown. "Erika is a super hard worker. She is an extremely intelligent young lady, who is very focused on her career. She has been carrying 18 hours ever since she came here. She is multilingual – fluent in three or four languages. She has been exactly what we have been looking for in regards to being a mature student-athlete. We have been thrilled to have her both on the court and off the court."
 
Ianovale boasts a perfect 4.0 grade point average (GPA) as a mass communication major at NCCU. She transferred in after earning an Associate of Arts degree from State College of Florida. The Dean's and President's List award winner is a member of Lambda Pi Eta, Public Relations Student Society of America and the social media committee of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). Ianovale, who is concentrating on public relations and is working on a minor in Spanish, plans to work in the United States for a few years with a multinational or international corporation dealing with other countries and cultures.
 
Ianovale, who was born in Milan, Italy, but resides in Sao Paulo, Brazil, was named the NCCU Student-Athlete of the Month in September. She is one of just two Lady Eagles to play in all 91 sets this season for NCCU.
 
The repositioned libero finished her final season ranked sixth in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) with 3.51 digs per set. She switched positions from outside hitter as a junior to libero in her final season. Ianovale immediately made an impact on defense and posted double-digit digs in 20 of 25 matches.
 
"It just speaks volumes to the level of commitment she has for the things she chooses to do," said Brown when asked about her ability to perform well at a new position.
 
Ianovale supplied a season-high 25 digs in a 3-2 win over Jackson State University. Her 15 digs against Bethune-Cookman University helped the Lady Eagles upset the preseason favorites in the Southern Division in NCCU's league opener.
 
"Erika has been a great role model and leader for us, both on and off the court," said Brown. "Her maturity and commitment to her team and academics has really stood out and will be the backbone of her future success."
 
To be nominated, a student-athlete must be a starter or important reserve with at least a 3.30 cumulative grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) at their current institution. Nominated athletes must have participated in at least 50 percent of the team's games and they are not eligible until they have completed one full calendar year at their current institution and has reached at least sophomore athletic eligibility.

 
CoSIDA Academic All-America All-Time List – North Carolina Central
Division I Era
Volleyball – Erika Ianovale (3rd team, libero) 2018
Baseball – Andrew Valichka (2nd team, infield) 2018
Baseball – James Dey (1st team, designated hitter) 2016
Softball – Jenny Tracy (1st team, infield) 2016
Men's At-Large – Tamina Kienka (3rd team, tennis) 2015
Baseball – Gavin Guarrera (3rd team, pitcher) 2013
 
Division II Era
Women's Track/Cross Country – Katerina Glosova (2nd team) 2003
Women's Track/Cross Country – Katerina Glosova (1st team) 2002
Women's At-Large – Ria Bazie (1st team, tennis) 2002
Softball – Lanelle Turner (2nd team, infield) 2001