SPRINGFIELD – Three Missouri State volleyball players were honored by College Sports Communicators Tuesday for their efforts in the classroom, Kya Johnson, Lizanyela Lopez and Lexi Weinberg recognized as Academic All-District selections.
 
A Springfield native, Johnson appeared in every match with 16 starts for the Bears in 2025, ranking second on the team with 254 total digs in 100 sets. She tallied 10-plus digs in 12 matches with a high of 20 on Sept. 19 against SEMO and tied for the team lead with 23 service aces. The sophomore owns a 3.78 cumulative grade-point average.
 
Lopez was the only Bear to start all 29 matches in her lone season with the program. The Peru native led Conference USA with 129 total blocks, the second-highest season total at MSU in the 25-point scoring era (since 2008). Her 11 blocks on Sept. 12 versus Purdue Fort Wayne were the most by an MSU player since 2021. Lopez, who owns a 4.0 GPA while pursuing her master's in professional studies, also led the Bear with a .284 attack efficiency in 2025 and was on the CUSA All-Academic Team.
 
Weinberg averaged 1.78 kills and 0.71 blocks per set for the Bears this season, playing in all but one match. The sophomore posted a .219 hitting percentage and 65 total blocks, good for second on the team. Her season highs of 13 kills (on .387 hitting) and four service aces came on Oct. 10 at Jacksonville State. The outside hitter from Florida carries a 3.54 GPA.
 
To qualify for CSC Academic All-District honors, student-athletes must compete in 90 percent of the institution's sets played or must start in at least 66 percent of the institution's total matches, carry a GPA of 3.50 or higher, and be a sophomore in athletic and academic standing.