WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. – Williams College juniors Kate Anderson (Berlin) and Nicole Ballon-Landa (La Jolla, CA) have been named to The ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District I First team.

The Eph duo represents two of the six players named to the First Team. Anderson and Ballon-Landa are a large part of why Christi Kelsey’s first Williams team is 18-8 and seeded second in this weekend’s NESCAC Tournament being played at Tufts.

By virtue of their selection to the District I First Team, Anderson and Ballon-Landa will be placed on the national ballot for consideration for Academic All-America honors.

“I think this a tremendous honor for both of these players to be recognized for their efforts both on and off the court here at Williams,” said Eph head coach Christ Kelsey. “Our team as a whole is a tremendous example of what it truly means to be student-athletes and to have Kate and Nicole represent our group for this award is a great honor.”

“While we are a more balanced team this year on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball, Kate and Nicole have played keyed roles for us. Kate leads our team in total kills and kills per game, while Nicole leads in hitting percentage and is second on the team in total kills.  More importantly though Kate and Nic, along with their teammates, have brought such a great work ethic to the gym and continued to push each other every day to improve their overall game and make our team better.”

“Academics here are a priority and for these athletes to have that same work ethic both on the court and in the classroom, is something very special.”

Kate Anderson '11

Nicole Ballon-Landa '11

Both Anderson, a biology and sociology major, and Ballon-Landa, a mathematics and psychology major, have been named to the Dean’s List all four semester they have been at Williams.

In the 18 matches and 61 sets she has played Anderson has recorded 288 kills for a per set average of 4.72 with a hitting percentage of .324 and she has contributed 25 blocks. An outside hitter, Anderson was an Honorable Mention AVCA All-American in 2008, 1st Team All-NESCAC (08), AVCA All-Region (08) and Second Team All-NESCAC (07) and was named Academic All-NESCAC in 2009.

Ballon-Landa, a middle blocker, has played in all 26 matches and 93 sets thus far notched a team-high 54 blocks, 233 kills (2.51) and sports a hitting percentage of .314.

A returning AVCA All-American (2008), Ballon-Landa previously earned AVCA All-Region honors (08), twice has garnered First Team All-NESCAC recognition (07 & 08), NESCAC Rookie of the Year (2007) and is an Academic All-NESCAC choice in 2009.