« Volleyball 2011

Sophia Dunworth

School
Duke
Position
MB/OH
Major
Biology
K
177
Pct
.275
SA
1
BS
5
BA
27
D
54

Classroom

Dunworth was named the 2010-11 ACC Volleyball Scholar-Athlete of the Year as a junior last season. A Biology major who plans to attend medical school after graduation, she has maintained a grade point average of 3.904 during her first three years at Duke. She is a two-time ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District III selection and a three-time member of both the All-ACC Academic Volleyball Team and the ACC Academic Honor Roll. Over the summer, she took another step toward her career in medicine by interning with Duke Hospital as part of Duke University’s CAPE program.

Character

With a lengthy list of community service efforts, her irreplaceable contributions on the court, a stellar academic resume and aspirations for a career in medicine, Dunworth is the quintessential representative of Duke University. She is a leader and good teammate on and off the court. When not playing, practicing or studying, she is contributing her time to the Durham community.

Community

Dunworth is heavily involved in the Durham community and has particpated in numerous community service efforts, not only as part of the Duke volleyball team and the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority, but also on her own. Last year, she was involved with a program called FACT (First Aid for Children Today) where she used her pre-med background to help teach kids in an elementary after-school program the basics of first aid, health and nutrition. She has also worked with kids at Duke’s free volleyball clinic and as part of Duke’s award-winning “Read with the Blue Devils” program, as well as with elderly citizens by playing carpet volleyball at The Forest at Duke. She has participated in several fundraising efforts for breast cancer awareness, including a bake sale and t-shirt sale with Zeta Tau Alpha and the Duke volleyball program’s annual Dig for the Cure night. Lastly, she has volunteered with Habitat for Humanity and has also helped the volleyball team raise money for multiple sclerosis research as part of the Blue Devils’ Pennies for Points fundraising campaign.

Competition

Dunworth was Duke’s top offensive target last season, leading the team with 1,024 attacks and ranking second with 360 kills. She played her best volleyball during Duke’s NCAA Tournament run to the University Park, Pa., Regional Final and was rewarded with a spot on the All-Regional Team. During Duke’s run to the Elite Eight, Dunworth led the team with 50 kills and 134 attacks while averaging 3.12 kills per set. For the season, she set career highs in kills, attacks, points and kills per set. With 950 career kills, she is on the verge of becoming only the 20th player in Duke history to join the 1,000-kill club.