POPLARVILLE - The 2010 MACJC state champion Pearl River Community College Lady Wildcat softball squad has been named an All-Academic team by the NJCAA for the first time in school history.

Eight-year head coach Leigh White said a combined grade-point average of at least 3.00 is required to achieve the distinguished status. PRCC boasted a team GPA of 3.17.

"We've always emphasized the classroom," said White, who guided the Lady Wildcats to their first-ever state title this past spring. "And I'm just as proud of this accomplishment, as I was of our winning the championship.

"I couldn't be prouder of our girls."

Eight other MACJC schools earned All-Academic status in at least one sport. East Central led the way with an astounding five sports copping the honor, including No. 1 academic rankings in women's tennis (3.69 GPA), men's tennis (3.39), and softball (3.69). ECCC was also All-Academic in baseball (3.06) and golf (3.09).

Here is a listing (by sport) of the remaining MACJC teams to be honored:

BASEBALL: Hinds (3.12), East Mississippi (3.12), Copiah-Lincoln (3.02).

BASKETBALL (Women's): Northwest Mississippi (3.25), East Mississippi (3.13).

SOFTBALL: East Mississippi (3.47), Hinds (3.22), Northwest Mississippi (3.22), Southwest Mississippi (3.17), Mississippi Gulf Coast (3.03).

TENNIS (Men's): Copiah-Lincoln (3.19).

TENNIS (Women's): Copiah-Lincoln (3.60), Itawamba (3.12), Jones County (3.12).