Adair Cutler and McKenna Otto, Hope College volleyball teammates, both have been selected to the 2020-21 College Sports Information Directors of America Academic All-America® Volleyball Teams for NCAA Division III.
Cutler, a setter, and Otto, a middle hitter, are among six second-team selections and 21 honorees overall.
They join a group of previous Academic All-America® honorees from the Hope volleyball team: Lauren Hazekamp (2015), Jayne Kessel (2015), Jenna Grasmeyer (2014), and Kim Grotenhuis (2000, 2001).
Cutler and Otto helped the Flying Dutch post a 9-1 record this spring and win the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association Tournament. Head coach Becky Schmidt praised Cutler and Otto for their efforts in the classroom and on the court.
“We are so proud of the hard work that our student-athletes demonstrate on the court and in the classroom. Adair and McKenna have been exemplary students and have taken advantage of many opportunities to extend their learning beyond tests, quizzes, and research papers,” Schmidt said. “While this is an individual honor, it also reflects a culture on our team of discipline and determination to get the most out of their Hope College investment. We are thankful that CoSIDA recognizes the broad-based success of all of these inspirational student-athletes.”
Cutler is one of eight on the 2021 CoSIDA Academic All-America® Volleyball NCAA Division III Teams with a 4.0 grade point average. The East Lansing, Michigan native recently graduated with a degree in mathematics.
On the court this season, Cutler (Lansing Christian HS) played in nine matches this spring and averaged 5.82 assists and 2.57 digs per set.
A biomedical and biomechanical engineering major, Otto is a three-time, All-MIAA First Team selection who finished second for Hope this spring in both kills percent at 3.41 and blocks per set at 1.00.
The junior from Wheaton, Illinois (Wheaton North HS) recorded a .270 attack percentage over 10 games. In 2019, Otto was named an American Volleyball Coaches Association All-American.
The Division III CoSIDA Academic All-America® program has been honoring student-athletes since 1952.
The Division III Academic All-America® program is financially supported by the NCAA Division III national governance structure to assist CoSIDA with handling the awards fulfillment aspects for the 2020-21 Division III Academic All-America® teams.