LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Claire Sames, a junior at Southwest Minnesota State University, is the recipient of the Elite 89 award for the 2014 NCAA Division II Volleyball Championship.
 
Sames, a native of Shakopee, Minn., majoring in biology and chemistry, currently carries a 4.0 GPA. She was presented with the award during the NCAA Division II Fall Festival opening ceremonies on Tuesday night in Louisville, Ky.
 
The Elite 89, an award founded by the NCAA, recognizes the true essence of the student-athlete by honoring the individual who has reached the pinnacle of competition at the national championship level in his or her sport, while also achieving the highest academic standard among his or her peers. The Elite 89 is presented to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade-point average participating at the finals site for each of the NCAA's championships.
 
Eligible student-athletes are sophomores or above who have participated in their sport for at least two years with their school. They must be an active member of the team, traveling and a designated member of the squad size at the championship. All ties are broken by the number of credits completed.
 
Sames has played in 27 matches this season and ranks fifth on the team with 104 kills, while registering 80 digs and 30 blocks.
 
Southwest Minnesota State, which captured its first-ever NCAA region championship on Nov. 22, opens play for its quest of the national championship with a quarterfinal match on Thursday afternoon facing Sonoma State (Calif.) at 1:30 CST.
 
For more information on the Elite 89 award winners, log on to NCAA.com/elite-89.