DI resident earns PBC All-Academic Team Accolades

Daniel Island resident Summer Ricciardi is one of eight University of South Carolina Aiken women’s soccer standouts to be named to the Peach Belt Conference (PBC) all-academic team.

Ricciardi is an academic junior, but a redshirt sophomore athletically, as she battled back from a serious ankle injury sustained preparing during the summer before her 2016 freshman season.

An outside back, Ricciardi was a major contributor in every game this past fall, starting seven of the last eight contests. She tied for second on her team in assists among defenders. Her head coach at USCA, Hilary George, regularly draws attention to her “perseverance, resilience, positivity and commitment to team” when addressing new recruits.

Ricciardi is majoring in communication with a minor in business. USC Aiken was named the No. 1 public regional college in the South for 2019 in U.S. News & World Report’s latest college roundup.

“My USCA experience has exceeded my expectations in every way,” said Ricciardi. “I love the challenges that accompany being a college athlete, on and off the pitch. It is really special to have teammates that I am certain will be lifelong friends. I can’t help but thank all those along the way who have helped me get to this point. It has been extremely rewarding.”

A resident of Daniel Island since 2003, Ricciardi was a three-sport athlete (basketball, volleyball and soccer) at Pinewood Prep in Summerville, during which time her high school soccer team won two SCISA state championships. She also played a key role on the DI Flying Fish swim team for more than a decade.

Founded in 1991, the Peach Belt Conference is home to 35 NCAA Division II National Championships. Also named to the PBC all-academic team from USCA are Kaitlyn Armstrong, Sydney Failla, Lauryn Laslie, Gressa Olson, Willa Olson, Amanda Raleigh and Kennedy Smith.