STANFORD, Calif. – Opposite Kendall Kipp and outside hitter Caitie Baird have been named Academic All-Americans landing on the first and second teams, respectively, as voted on by the College Sports Communicators (CSC).
It marks the second career recognition for Baird and the first for Kipp, who becomes the 17th Academic All-American in program history. The Cardinal now boasts 26 CSC Academic All-America awards all-time.
Kipp is the ninth Cardinal to earn CSC first team honors, and is the 12th player in school history to be named both an athletic (first, second or third team) and academic All-American at some point during their career. A fifth-year from Newport Beach, she led the team and was third in the Pac-12 with 4.11 kills and 5.03 points per set in 2023. She was also second in the Pac-12 with 0.44 aces per set - tied for the fifth-best average in a single season in school history. The two-time Pac-12 Player of the Year registered double-digit kills in 27 of 32 matches played, including six 20-plus kill performances. Her 52 aces in 2023 were the fifth-most in a single season in program history.
A native of Indianapolis, Baird is just the eighth Cardinal to earn multiple Academic All-American honors. The Pac-12 Scholar-Athlete of the Year, she is a four-time All-Pac-12 honoree and two-time AVCA All-American. She was third on the team with 3.15 kills and 3.80 points per set in 2023. Baird led the team in kills 10 times and notched double-digit kills in 19 matches. In four NCAA Tournament matches in 2023, Baird hit .298 and was third on the team with 3.44 kills and 3.91 points per set.
To be eligible, student-athletes must carry a 3.50 cumulative GPA or higher, be at least a sophomore academically and be a starter or significant contributor. For more information regarding the Academic All-America® program, visit https://academicallamerica.com/.
