University of Delaware Athletics
University of Delaware Volleyball Recognized by AVCA for Outstanding Academic Accomplishments
8/2/2012 4:14:00 PM | Volleyball
Head coach Bonnie Kenny's squad was among an all-time record 533 volleyball programs nationally honored by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) with an AVCA Team Academic Award for the 2011-12 season.
The Blue Hen volleyball squad posted a cumulative grade point average of 3.387 for the 2011-12 academic year - tops among all UD athletics programs - to earn a spot on the AVCA honor roll. The 3.387 gpa was the highest by the team in 10 seasons under Kenny.
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. The 533 teams honored breaks the record of 481 set during the 2010-11 season.
Delaware was among 102 NCAA Division I women's teams - nearly 20 percent of the nation's program - that were honored with the Team Academic Award. Delaware and George Mason were the only CAA schools recognized.
Of the 13 Delaware team members last year, 11 posted a grade point average of 3.0 or higher for the year and four had a 3.5 or better gpa. Among the group was
Capital One/CoSIDA Academic All-American nominee and AVCA All-East Region hitter Alissa Alker.
“Many coaches tell us they take more pride in and hear more positive feedback about winning the AVCA Team Academic Award than anything else they do all year,” said AVCA Executive Director Kathy DeBoer. “While it is undeniable that the sport we coach is zero-sum on the scoreboard, it is a tool for empowerment on other fronts. The 533 coaches whose teams won this academic award understand the value of both playing to win and winning through play. A well-deserved congratulations to each team and coach.”
Delaware, which will begin pre-season camp next week, posted a record of 21-13 a year ago when the squad captured the CAA regular season and tournament title and advanced to the NCAA Tournament where the Hens posted a first round win over American. Delaware has won four of the last five CAA titles and made four NCAA Tournament appearances. The Hens will open the 2012 season Aug. 24 at San Diego State.
