MIT sophomore Lauren Keller (Albuquerque, N.M.) is the recipient of the Elite 90 Award for the 2022 NCAA Division III Women’s Volleyball Championship. This is the Engineers’ 20th Elite 90 Award and the second for women’s volleyball as Margaret Wang ’22 was the 2021 winner. MIT currently ranks second all-time across all divisions as Stanford leads the way with 28 honorees.
Keller, majoring in mechanical engineering with a concentration in biomechanics and biomedical devices, currently carries a 5.0 GPA. She was presented with the award prior to the Engineers’ quarterfinal match on Wednesday afternoon in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
A NEWMAC Academic All-Conference Team selection this year, Keller has conducted research in the Schulz Lab of the Brain and Cognitive Sciences Department at MIT. She was named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-Region Team, the New England Women’s Volleyball Association (NEWVA) All-New England Second Team, and the NEWMAC All-Conference First Team this season. Keller finished the year ranked fourth in the conference in kills (285), eighth in kills per set (2.66), ninth in block assists (52), and 11th in hitting percentage (.265).
The Elite 90, an award founded by the NCAA, recognizes the true essence of the student-athlete by honoring the individual who has reached the pinnacle of competition at the national championship level in his or her sport, while also achieving the highest academic standard among his or her peers. The Elite 90 is presented to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade-point average participating at the finals site for each of the NCAA’s championships.
Eligible student-athletes are sophomores or above who have participated in their sport for at least two years with their school. All ties are broken by the number of credits completed.
For more information on the Elite 90 award winners, log on to https://www.ncaa.com/elite-90.
Courtesy of MIT Athletic Communications
