SPRINGFIELD -- Missouri State seniors Brianne Dixon and Lily Johnson were recognized for their efforts in the classroom Thursday (Nov. 16) with spots on the CoSIDA Academic All-District VI First Team. As first-team selections, Dixon and Johnson automatically advance to the national ballot for Academic All-America consideration. 

Dixon is the sixth player in school history to earn Academic All-District honors multiple times after earning the distinction as a junior as well. She owns a perfect 4.0 GPA in cell and molecular biology, and has played in all 29 MSU matches this season with 23 starts and 110 sets. The Springfield native ranks fourth on the team with 269 digs and a 2.45 per set average, and has 14 matches this season with 10 or more digs, including a career-high 19 on Oct. 20 vs. Bradley.

Johnson is MSU's first three-time Academic All-District selection and was a CoSIDA Academic All-America Second Team pick last year. The senior outside owns a 3.96 GPA in cell and molecular biology, and has won the MVC Scholar-Athlete of the Week six times in 2017 and 11 in her career.

On the court, the outside hitter from Wildwood, Mo., leads the Missouri Valley Conference with 4.50 kills and 5.10 points per set, ranking third nationally with 500 total kills and 566 total points. She is a six-time MVC Player of the Week this season, and owns MVC records and is the NCAA active leader with 2,219 career kills and 6,387 attacks. 

Johnson has 24 matches with at least 10 kills and 20 double-doubles this year, with four matches of at least 20 kills and 20 digs, an MSU single-season record. Johnson also leads the Bears with 36 aces and ranks second with 3.99 digs per set. She is one of 10 players in NCAA history with at least 2,200 kills and 1,500 digs in a career, and one of 15 players to appear in 500 consecutive sets.

District VI includes schools from Arkansas, Iowa, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

To be eligible for Academic All-America consideration, student-athletes must be a starter or important reserve with legitimate athletic credentials and at least a 3.30 cumulative grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) in both undergraduate and graduate work. Student-athletes must have reached sophomore athletic and academic standing at their current institution and must have completed at least one full academic year at that institution.