March 12, 2003

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Two North Carolina student-athletes have been awarded postgraduate scholarships by the NCAA. Volleyball player Malaika Underwood and men's soccer player Matt Crawford are the recipients of $6,900 scholarships, awarded to 58 student-athletes who are members of fall sports teams in NCAA Divisions I, II or III.

Fall awards went to 29 men and 29 women who participate in cross country, field hockey, football, soccer, women's volleyball and men's water polo. The NCAA also awards 116 postgraduate scholarships to participants in winter and spring sports for a total of 174 annually. To qualify for the postgraduate scholarships, student-athletes must have at least a 3.2 grade point average and have performed with distinction as a member of a varsity squad.

Underwood, a senior international studies major with a 3.8 GPA, helped lead Carolina to a 32-4 record and a No. 12 national ranking in 2002 on the way to the team's first NCAA Regionals appearance. A co-captain, she ranked second on the squad in digs and finished her career with more than 1,000. In 2001, she was named MVP of the ACC Tournament as Carolina captured the title. Underwood is from San Diego, Calif.

Crawford is majoring in biology with a minor in German and carries a 3.7 grade point average. A member of UNC's 2001 NCAA Champion squad, he earned All-ACC honors in 2002 when he set a school record with 16 assists and ranked second on the team in scoring. During his senior season, he served as a team captain and earned Academic All-America honors. Crawford is from Durham, N.C.