Former Nansemond-Suffolk Academy volleyball standout Brooks Gillerlain was named to the ODAC All-Academic team.

The current Randolph College Lady Wildcat is happy with the way her sophomore year has gone on and off the court. She is currently preparing for her upcoming junior year.

Academic awards are always good accolades to receive, especially as a student-athlete. Gillerlain is proud of the effort she has put forward to be rewarded for her efforts in the classroom.

“Academics are always a priority for me; also, being an athlete is a priority as well,” she said. “I really work hard to give each of those aspects as much as I can. I’m really grateful I have the opportunity to play at a NCAA Division III school and receive an amazing education.”

Last season, Randolph went 5-22. The Lady Wildcats were a pretty young bunch, with a team consisting of mainly freshmen and sophomores. Gillerlain is looking forward to the coming season, and she feels that the experience the team gained last season will benefit it this season.

Gillerlain was satisfied with her transition from her first season to second. She took over as the full-time starter at the setter position last season. The Lady Wildcat assisted on 763 kills last season, which is the fourth-highest total in the school’s history. Gillerlain was also one of three players who played every match and set.

“I think it went very smooth,” she said. “I knew what to expect coming into the preseason and regular season, and I was prepared in the classroom as well.”

One highlight the former Lady Saint had last season was recording 53 assists in a game. That total was the most in a five-set match in Randolph College history. She finished fifth in assists in the ODAC Conference and was also a team captain last season and hopes to remain in that role this year.

In her junior year, the former Lady Saints wants to become a smarter player. The jump from high school volleyball to NCAA Division III volleyball is substantial. What she was used to doing to outsmart players in high school doesn’t work in college.

“I know I have to use my head more and give my hitters the best opportunity to make a big play,” the Lady Wildcat said. “I also have to make sure I’m giving beneficial feedback that I think can help them.”

Off the court, Gillerlain wants to continue to improve her time management, which she has made a point of doing during her first two seasons. With the free time she has before practice, she makes sure she gets as much school work done as she can.