LOWELL, MA (Oct. 25, 2006) – Junior Kristina Martell (Chelmsford, MA) and sophomore Kendra Ciccone (Quincy, MA) were each named to the Northeast-10 Conference Volleyball All-Academic Team, the Conference announced Tuesday.

The honor marks the second straight year Martell has represented UML on the team while Ciccone makes her first appearance. Student-athletes, sophomores and upward with a cumulative grade point average of 3.2 or higher, were eligible for inclusion.

UMass Lowell is currently 14-15 overall and in a tie for fourth place with Franklin Pierce with an 8-4 record. The River Hawks cap the regular season with a match at Merrimack Saturday (1:00) and at home Tuesday (7:00) against Saint Anselm.

An outside and middle hitter, Martell has started all 29 matches and played all 101 games for the River Hawks this season with averages of 2.76 digs and 1.73 kills per game. One of UML’s top defensive players, she has posted season-highs of 13 kills in a 3-1 win over Stonehill; 28 digs in a 3-2 loss to Franklin Pierce; and six blocks in a 3-2 victory at Le Moyne.

A criminal justice major, Martell has maintained a 3.81 average and has earned Dean’s List honors in all four semesters. She is also a member of UML’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

Ciccone, who has rotated between outside hitter and libero, has compiled averages of 1.61 digs and 0.93 kills while appearing in all 29 matches and 98 of 101 games. She enjoyed career-highs of 10 kills in a 3-1 win over Saint Michael’s and 12 digs in a 3-0 loss to Le Moyne.

A political science major, Ciccone has maintained a 3.69 grade point average and has been a Dean’s List student both semesters as a freshman.