July 31, 2008

The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) recently announced that a record 353 teams, including the Bluffton University volleyball team, earned the AVCA Team Academic Award for the 2007-2008 season. The number smashes the previous high mark of 308 schools set a year ago.

The award, which was initiated in the 1992-93 academic year, honors collegiate and high school volleyball teams that displayed excellence in the classroom during the school year by maintaining at least a 3.30 cumulative team grade-point average on a 4.0 scale or a 4.10 cumulative team GPA on a 5.0 scale.

"This award recognizes the hard work the student athletes that play volleyball at Bluffton put forth not only on the court but in the classroom. I am very proud of last year's team for their strong work ethic and look forward to continued success in the classroom and on the court," stated head coach Steve Yarnell.

NCAA Division I broke its own record for number of collegiate schools at any division receiving the award, as 70 of those institutions were honored this year, surpassing the mark of 56 set a year ago. NCAA Division III also surpassed the previous collegiate record, as well as its own division-high, as 62 of those schools attained the mark.

The mission of the AVCA is to develop and grow the sport of volleyball; with a membership of over 4,500 and counting, the AVCA provides a professional network for those individuals and companies dedicated to enhancing and developing the sport. Members are comprised of national and international coaches, collegiate, high school, club, youth and Olympic coaches, as well as club directors. Other members include former players, officials, media members and other friends of volleyball. As a group, the AVCA is committed to the development, growth, advancement and publicity of volleyball throughout the world.

-BEAVERS-