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20 CAVALIER CORNER MILLA CIPRIAN Fourth-Year • Volleyball Despite having to end her volleyball career earlier than expected due to injury, Virginia's Milla Ciprian finished as one of the best middle blockers in program history. She'll depart UVA ranked second all time in career blocks per set with an average of 1.19. During her first-year campaign in 2018, she averaged 1.35 blocks per set — a rookie record and the fifth-highest single-season average in program history. Also in 2018, Ciprian posted 13 blocks against Boston College, a program record for five- set matches and the third-highest total ever at UVA. But perhaps the area in which Ciprian is most accomplished is her involvement with her community and service to others. "Being a student-athlete at UVA is so much more than just being a student and an athlete," Ciprian said. "As an active member of the UVA community, I've had the privilege and opportunity to connect with so many different people in Charlottesville through community service projects." During her time at UVA, the Saint John's, Fla., native helped found and served as president of the Black Student-Athletes Of- fering Service and Support organization and was the internal vice president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. Her devotion to community service also earned her the ACC's Top Six Service award last year. In 2019, she sang the national anthem at the Final Four before the Virginia men's basketball team went on to win the program's first-ever national championship. "During my time at UVA, I've strived to cultivate an inclusive com- munity within athletics and opportunities for student-athletes to continue building relationships with the people of this town," Ciprian said. "My experience at UVA has also allowed me to shape my inter- ests and develop important lifelong skills such as communication, ethical judgment and leadership." In 2018, she became the 14th volleyball player in program history to earn All-ACC Academic honors and is a three-time ACC Honor Roll recipient. Ciprian is on track to earn her interdisciplinary undergradu- ate degree in global development studies with a minor in entrepre- neurship this spring. Upon graduating from UVA, Ciprian plans to pursue a career in the healthcare industry in addition to attaining a master's degree in healthcare administration. — Patrick Boling • Photo by Matt Riley/courtesy UVA Athletics EXCEPTIONAL UVA STUDENT-ATHLETES