June 2, 2008

DURHAM, N.C. - North Carolina Central University junior third baseman Sophia Blue has been voted to the 2008 North Carolina Collegiate Sports Information Association (NCCSIA) University Division All-State Softball Team released Monday.

A native of Hope Mills, N.C., Blue boasts the nation's top batting average (.482) for NCCU, which competed in its first season of NCAA Division I competition in 2008.

She hit safely in 41 of 49 games, including 21 multi-hit outings, for an on-base percentage of .503 as the team's lead-off batter.

A two-time NCCSIA All-State College Division honoree (2006, 2007), Blue topped the Eagles with 67 hits, 34 runs scored, four triples, 26 stolen bases and 85 assists.

She has a .488 career batting average and holds the NCCU record with 24 career triples.

As a sophomore in 2007, Blue led the nation (NCAA Div. II) in runs scored per game (1.69) and triples per game (0.33).

The fifth-annual team consists of NCAA Division I student-athletes from North Carolina colleges and universities. North Carolina sports information professionals submitted the nominees and NCCSIA members voted for the all-state team, which consists of two pitchers, one catcher, four infielders, three outfielders and one designated player.

Atlantic Sun Conference champion and NCAA regional playoff participant Campbell University led the way with four students on the team. North Carolina A&T State University placed three students on the team, while individuals from East Carolina University, Elon University, North Carolina Central University and Western Carolina University filled out the 2008 all-state squad.

Founded in 2002, NCCSIA is comprised of sports information professionals from North Carolina's NCAA Division I, II, III, NAIA and independent institutions for the purpose of promoting college athletics in the state. Membership is open to anyone affiliated with a college, university or conference located in North Carolina whose responsibilities include sports information.

NCCSIA selects all-state teams in the university (NCAA Division I) and college (Division II, III, NAIA) divisions for women's volleyball, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's soccer, softball and baseball. More than 500 student-athletes have been recognized on all-state teams since 2003.

The 2008 NCCSIA College Division All-State Softball and Baseball team were announced last week. The University Division All-State Baseball Team will be released June 3.

2008 NCCSIA All-State Softball Team (University Division)

Pos. Name School Class Hometown

P Jennifer Luper North Carolina A&T Freshman Fort Mills, S.C.

P Brittany Stanley Campbell Sophomore West Lafayette, Ind.

C Amanda Littlejohn Campbell Sophomore Lake Elsinore, Calif.

IF Sophia Blue North Carolina Central Junior Hope Mills, N.C.

IF Lillian Bullock North Carolina A&T Sophomore Anchorage, Alaska

IF Tracey Dahlen Elon Senior Pasadena, Md.

IF Yahamma White* North Carolina A&T Sophomore Lancaster, S.C.

OF Stacey Andrews East Carolina Senior Greenville, N.C.

OF Katie Hinton Campbell Freshman College Station, Texas

OF Courtney Quinn Campbell Senior Glencoe, Ala.

DP Mollie Fowler Western Carolina Sophomore King, N.C.

* - 2007 NCCSIA All-State pick