Volleyballer Dylann Duncan Ceriani, ’89, NCAA two-time All-American and three-time Academic All-American, has been inducted into the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-America Hall of Fame. The honor recognizes former college athletes who have excelled in their professions and have made substantial contributions to their community.
Although Ceriani’s specialty is volleyball, the game wasn’t always her favorite sport.
“I went to a volleyball camp before my sophomore year in high school and no one would pick me for their team,” she says. But things changed as she grew taller. At 6 feet 1 inch, she joined the high school basketball team, competing in volleyball during the off-season.
“I happened to be playing very well at a state volleyball tournament, and Elaine Michaelis noticed me,” Ceriani says, referring to the longtime BYU women’s volleyball coach. After the tournament she had four offers for volleyball scholarships—one was from BYU. “I saw her potential as well as her great work ethic,” Michaelis says. Now 6 foot 3 inches, she became BYU’s career record holder in kills (2,188), aces (233), block assists (733), and total blocks (881).
In addition to her athletic achievements, Ceriani’s work as a biochemical engineer for DJ Orthopedics has resulted in three patents. She has also contributed to research techniques in the motions analysis lab at the Children’s Hospital of San Diego to aid children with cerebral palsy.
