Paige Richards and Kara Thomas were pivotal pieces on the court in Linfield's improved 2022 season, but the duo also performed well in the classroom, earning their ways to the 2022 College Sports Communicators NCAA Division III Academic All-District Women's Volleyball Team, released Tuesday.
 
Richards, an exercise science major, and Thomas, a public health major, were among 19 student-athletes selected from the Northwest Conference. Pacific Lutheran, Puget Sound, Whitworth and Willamette all had four Academic All-District honorees while Pacific rounded out the conference with one selection.
 
The sophomore Richards finished second on the team with 256 digs, averaging 3.51 digs per set. She appeared in 20 matches and 73 sets, totaling 47 assists and 17 service aces. A senior right-side hitter, Thomas eclipsed the century mark in kills, notching 111 and averaging 1.46 per set. She added eight assists, 46 digs and 42 blocks, which ranked third on the team.
 
The 2022 College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Women's Volleyball Teams recognize student-athletes for their success in both athletics and academics. Linfield's honorees will advance to the CSC Academic All-America ballot. Academic All-Americans will be announced in December.