Chaniel Nelson, a UNC volleyball senior, was chosen as a finalist for the Senior CLASS award.

CLASS stands for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School, and chooses ten NCAA volleyball seniors who exemplify the “total student-athlete”, excelling both on and off the court.

Nelson leads the Tar Heels with 2.88 kills per set this year, with a .331 hitting percentage as an opposite hitter. Standing at a towering 6 foot 2 inches, Nelson was named to the All-ACC team in both her redshirt sophomore and freshman seasons. She is also the founder and director of the UNC S.W.A.G. (Something We Athletes Got) program, which promotes healthy lifestyle choices for student-athletes through peer education.

CJ Hunter, the UNC volleyball primary communications contact, says Nelson is a well-decorated senior who embodies everything the CLASS award is looking for in her leadership, athleticism and excellence.

“She’s having a great year and being a great leader for us so far – a fantastic person and a fantastic player. She works very hard, is very athletic, and has a very high contact point in her left hand to get over and around the block.”

“This award is a recognition of her dedication to excellence in the classroom, off the court and on the court,” Hunter said. “Here at UNC we like to think that all of our athletes are trying to embody all of those things inside of Chapel Hill.”

Carolina fans are able to vote for Nelson here on the CLASS award website until December 8. Fan votes will be combined with Division I head coaches’ votes to determine the winner. The Senior CLASS Award winner will be announced during the 2014 NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Championship in December.

The list of finalists is as followed:
Liz Brenner, Oregon
Savanah Leaf, Miami (Florida)
Haley Eckerman, Texas
Liz McMahon, Illinois
Meredith Hardy, East Tennessee State
Katie Mosher, Florida State
Casey Hinger, Cal State Northridge
Kori Moster, Michigan State
Madi Kingdon, Arizona
Chaniel Nelson, North Carolina

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