Volleyball Earns AVCA Team Academic Award
LEXINGTON, Ky. - The University of Saint Joseph (USJ) women's volleyball team was recognized by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA), earning the AVCA Team Academic Award sponsored by INTENT for the 2024-25 academic year, it was announced by the organization on Monday. It marks the third time that the Blue Jays have received the honor under head coach Sheila Gisbrecht.
The AVCA Team Academic Award was instituted in 1992-93 and honors volleyball teams that maintain a year-long grade-point average of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale or 4.1 on a 5.0 scale. Including the Blue Jays, a record-breaking 1,450 collegiate and high school volleyball teams maintained a year-long grade-point average of at least 3.3 on a 4.0 scale (or 4.1 on a 5.0 scale), to earn the 2025 AVCA Team Academic Award.
"It is very exciting to see that the record-setting, on-court successes during the 2024-25 season have extended to the classroom," says AVCA CEO Jaime Gordon. "The fact that more programs earned the Team Academic Award than ever before is evidence of how committed our coaches are when it comes to helping their players reach their goals as both students and athletes."
The Blue Jays were one of 227 NCAA Division III women's teams to earn the award. USJ was one of just three teams from the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) represented on the list, joining Johnson & Wales University and Mitchell College.
About the AVCA
The association's mission is to advance the sport of volleyball with AVCA coaches at the epicenter of leadership, advocacy, and professional development. The membership includes more than 10,000 collegiate, professional, high school, club, and youth volleyball coaches—primarily in the United States. The AVCA represents women's volleyball, men's volleyball, and beach volleyball coaches, and works to increase exposure and recognition for the sport of volleyball.
FOLLOW USJ ATHLETICS
For the latest on University of Saint Joseph Athletics, follow the Blue Jays on social media on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
Fans can also download the USJ Front Row Mobile App and subscribe to our Newsletter and Text Alerts. #FearTheFlock #GoBlueJays