BETHLEHEM, Pa. — American senior outside hitter Helena Elbaek earned the 2020-21 Patriot League Spring Volleyball Scholar-Athlete of the Year accolade, when it was announced by the League office on Friday. She is also one of the seven members of the sport’s Academic All-Patriot League team.
A biology major, Elbaek owns a 3.84 cumulative grade-point average. The Ikast, Denmark native is a two-time League All-Academic honoree (2018, 2019).
The senior finished the regular season with 121 kills, a .234 hitting percentage, 49 digs and 16 blocks. She currently leads the Patriot League and NCAA Division I this season in kills per set with 5.26. Elbaek recorded 20+ kills in five of six matches.
Five of the nine Patriot League programs are represented on the academic all-League squad, with Colgate and Loyola Maryland each placing two student-athletes on the team. Four of the seven student-athletes selected to the academic all-League squad were also named to the All-Patriot League teams on Wednesday.
To be eligible for the Scholar-Athlete of the Year award and the Academic All-Patriot League Team, a student-athlete must have at least a 3.20 cumulative grade point average and be a starter or key player within his/her sport. Freshmen or student-athletes in their first academic year at their school are not eligible for the honor.
The Patriot League Scholar-Athlete of the Year for each sport comprises the pool of nominees for the Patriot League Male and Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year awards given out during the summer.
2020-21 Patriot League Spring Volleyball Scholar-Athlete of the Year: Helena Elbaek, American, Sr., OH
2020-21 Patriot League Spring Volleyball All-Academic Team
Helena Elbaek, American, Sr., OH
Bridget Kolsky, Colgate, Sr., L
Alli Lowe, Colgate, Sr., OH
Clare Honan, Holy Cross, Sr., MB
Claire Nagelhout, Lehigh, Sr., MB
Katie Forsythe, Loyola Maryland, Jr., L
Abby Hamilton, Loyola Maryland, Jr., OH
(Note: Listed in alphabetical order by school)
ABOUT THE PATRIOT LEAGUE
The Patriot League is in its fourth decade of academic and athletic achievement, continually demonstrating that student-athletes can excel at both academics and athletics without sacrificing high standards. The Patriot League’s athletic success is achieved while its member institutions remain committed to its founding principle of admitting and graduating student-athletes that are academically representative of their class. Participation in athletics at Patriot League institutions is viewed as an important component of a well-rounded education.