Wayland Baptist Pioneer volleyball players Desiree Luevano and Alissa Mitchell have been named as 2009 Daktronics-NAIA Volleyball Scholar Athletes.

Luevano, a junior outside hitter from El Paso, was an honorable mention All-Sooner Athletic Conference selection in 2009. A graduate of Montwood High School and a three-year starter for the Pioneers, she was second on the team in kills with 215 and third in digs with 384. A molecular biology major, Luevano was honored at the recent WBU Fall Awards Reception as the Ashleigh Richards Defensive Player of the Year.

A junior defensive specialist from Clinton, Okla. who is also a molecular biology major, Mitchell was the WBU leader in service aces with 28. She averaged 2.3 digs, playing in all 30 Pioneer matches.

The 2009 Pioneers closed out the year with a record of 21-9. They established a new school record by winning 11 straight to start the season.

NAIA Scholar Athletes must be nominated by their head coach, be a junior or above in academic standing and maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher.