UE earns award for 13th time
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In a unique academic year that featured many twists and turns, including the playing of the season in the spring, the University of Evansville volleyball team excelled in the classroom and was recognized on Monday with the USMC/AVCA Team Academic Award.
The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) and the United States Marine Corps (USMC) honored a record 1,275 collegiate and high school teams. 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.
For the 13th time in program history and the first since 2017, UE earned the award. The Purple Aces combined for a 3.363 over the course of the 2020-21 school year. Evansville was one of nine Missouri Valley Conference volleyball teams to earn the distinction.
“As a program we are working, to be better on and off the court.  Academics is big in our school and in our program,†UE head coach Fernando Morales said.  “The girls did great with all that was happening last year including the season moving, all of the restrictions and they were able to perform in the classroom, which is the most important aspect of a student athlete.  I am very proud of them.â€
Assistant coach Melissa Rabell echoed those sentiments.
“One of the goals for the program last year was to push each other more in the classroom. Since day one, they worked extremely hard and the results are in,†she exclaimed. “It is gratifying to see the academic excellence on and off the court.â€
At the NCAA Division I level, a record-breaking total of 243 programs earned the accolade. Across all eligible levels – a total of 1,275 teams were recognized including NCAA, NAIA, 2-year colleges, men’s teams, high school and collegiate beach volleyball.
