BROOKLYN, N.Y. — The NCAA Regional-bound LIU softball team also has performed in the classroom.

Five members of the team were named Academic All-District by College Sports Communicators on Tuesday: Maya Avila, Kristen Blanchard, Kira Buckner, Alyssa O'Donnell and Alyssa Okada.

Buckner was named to the all-tournament team on Sunday as the Sharks defeated Merrimack in a winner-take-all game to capture the NEC championship.

LIU will open the program's first NCAA Regional appearance since 2016 against host Alabama on Friday at 7 p.m. ET in Tuscaloosa, Ala.