NEW LONDON, Conn. -- Connecticut College water polo co-captain Phoebe Bakanas (Jr., Redding, Conn./Joel Barlow) was named to the 2009 ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District I College Division At-Large Third Team.

A Dean's High Honors student and member of the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) All-Academic Team, Bakanas maintains a remarkable 3.87 grade point average as a music technology and computer science major.

In the water, Bakanas has tallied 98 goals in her past two seasons, emerging as one of the most prolific scorers in the region.

She scored 12 goals in a sweep of Colorado College (12-10 W) and Utica College (22-11 W) on March 14, and buried seven more scores in a late season victory against Utica (16-8 W) at home in Lott Natatorium.

Connecticut College head men's and women's water polo coach JJ Addison has a fond appreciation of the gritty style of play Bakanas brings to the pool each and every day.

"Phoebe is sweet young woman on land but in the pool, she takes on a whole different persona as a fearless competitor," Addison said. "She can shoot and score from any position in the pool and has a great vision for the game that allows her to set up her teammates. We are proud that she is representing our program with this award that recognizes her academic and athletic excellence."

An accomplished musician, Bakanas is violinist with the Connecticut College Orchestra. She has been a member of the Music Student Advisory Board and the Student Government Association. Bakanas also has worked as a recruiting assistant with the CELS Office (Career Enhancing Life Skills).

Bakanas appreciates the support of her teammates and coaches and is looking forward to an exciting senior season of water polo.

"I attribute my success to the team's strong spirit and an affirming attitude of my coach who makes everyone feel vital to the team," Bakanas said.

The 2009 Academic All-District I at-large teams were selected by members of the Collegiate Sports Information Direcgtors of America (CoSIDA). The at-large teams consist of all sports except football, soccer, volleyball, basketball, baseball, softball, track & field or cross country.

The District I College Division consists of all small college (Division II, III, junior colleges) programs in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and Quebec. To be nominated for the Academic All-America program, a student-athlete must be at least a sophomore with a 3.3 cumulative grade-point average and a starter or significant reserve on her team.