Sept. 20, 2004

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. - Former University of Virginia volleyball player Deidre Downs has been selected Miss America 2005. Downs won the national honor Saturday evening (September 18) in Atlantic City's historic Boardwalk Hall. She was named Miss Alabama in June.

Downs, an Echols Scholar at UVa, played volleyball at Virginia during the 1998 season and transferred from the University after her second year (1999-2000). She graduated magna cum laude with a degree in history from Samford University, where she was also a Rhodes Scholar finalist.

Downs, from Birmingham, Ala., was a back-up setter for Virginia in 1998 as the team posted a 26-8 (12-4 ACC) record and advanced to the NCAA Championship for the first time. She appeared in 24 matches and played in 44 games overall. Downs recorded 53 assists, 43 digs and three service aces.

Downs, 24, was accepted to medical school at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, but has deferred admission. She aspires to be a pediatrician.