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BLACKSBURG, Va. -- Laura Haskins, a senior from Alexandria, Va., has been named to the 2009 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America Women’s Basketball University Division third team. Haskins was a first-team All-District III selection in January which qualified her for consideration on the national team. The national and district teams are determined by voting members of CoSIDA, the College Sports Information Directors of America. This marks the second consecutive season the Hokies have had a student-athlete on the team after Brittany Cook was selected to the third team last year.

To qualify for the honor, a student-athlete must be of at least a sophomore standing, have been enrolled at their current school for a least one year, have a minimum 3.3 grade point average, and be a starter or significant reserve on their team. Since the program’s inception in 1952, CoSIDA has bestowed Academic All-America honors on more than 14,000 student-athletes in Divisions I, II, III and NAIA covering all NCAA championship sports.

“We are very proud of Laura's academic achievements and being selected for this honor,” said Virginia Tech head coach Beth Dunkenberger. “I am proud and excited for her to be recognized nationally and rewarded for her efforts. Laura displays the same work ethic in the classroom as she does on the court.”

Haskins earned a bachelor’s degree in business management in three years and is currently pursuing a master’s in business administration. She has been named to the Dean’s List and the Athletic Director’s Honor Roll every semester and also been named on three occasions to the All-ACC Women’s Basketball Academic team and to the ACC Academic Honor Roll.

She is currently third in the ACC in assists (4.6) and assist/turnover ratio (1.4) and 12th in steals (2.1). Haskins has handed out five or more assists 15 times and pulled down five or more rebounds 13 times this season. The senior was credited with a career-high 11 assists against Longwood and she is fifth on the Tech career assists list (381). Haskins also has 173 steals which is tied for sixth on the Tech career steals list.

Virginia Tech returns to action on Thursday, Feb. 26 with a 7 p.m. game hosting Georgia Tech. The game is the regular season finale and the Hokies will recognize the seniors during pregame ceremonies.

For updates on Virginia Tech women's basketball, follow the Hokies on Twitter (@VT_WBBall).