LOWELL, MA (Oct. 25, 2007) – UMass Lowell senior Kristina Martell (Chelmsford, MA) and sophomore Nichole Rondeau (Dracut, MA) were each named to the Northeast-10 Conference All-Academic Teams, the Conference announced Wednesday.

For Martell, the honor marked the third straight year she was named to the All-Academic First Team while Rondeau makes her first appearance on the Third Team. Eligible student-athletes must have reached sophomore standing, maintained a grade point average of 3.20 and played a significant role within their teams.

UML is currently 11-17 overall and 6-5 in the NE-10 entering a key weekend. The River Hawks host Merrimack Friday night (7:00) and Bridgeport (1:00) and New Haven (3:00) on Saturday.

A criminal justice major, Martell has earned a grade point average of 3.803. This season, she has posted averages of 3.19 digs, 1.22 kills and 0.48 blocks per game over 28 matches (107 games).

The honor is the latest of many Martell has earned during her stay at UML. In April, she was named UML’s National Student-Athlete Day Award recipient for having the highest grade point average on the volleyball team. She was also named a NE-10 Commissioner’s Honor Roll Gold Scholar two straight years and has been on the Dean’s List six semesters.

Rondeau, who has balanced the rigors of volleyball and majoring in mechanical engineering, has maintained a 3.788. This season, she has emerged as UML’s primary passer, averaging 8.42 assists per game this season, along with 2.13 digs and 0.38 service aces, playing in all 28 matches (104 games).

One of very few engineering athletes at UML, Rondeau is fresh off a career-high 65 assists in last Saturday’s 3-2 victory over New York Institute of Technology.

Following this weekend, UML visits Saint Anselm Tuesday (7:00) and hosts Pace next Friday (7:00) to cap the regular season.