Webster and Greenville Volleyball Squads Earn AVCA Academic Award

ST. LOUIS - The Webster University and Greenville College women's volleyball teams earned the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) 2011 Team Academic Award. The Team Academic Award recognizes teams who have "matched their dedication to the sport of volleyball with excellence in the classroom."

Webster and Greenville were two of 90 NCAA Division III schools, out of 400 plus, that received the award for 2011, and the only two members of the SLIAC honored. Webster qualified for a fourth straight year, maintaining a grade point average (GPA) of 3.65 for 2011-2012.

The Team Academic Award was initiated by the AVCA in 1992-93, to honor 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 GPA on a 4.0 scale.

"While it is undeniable that the sport we coach is zero-sum on the scoreboard, it is a tool for empowerment on other fronts," said AVCA Executive Director Kathy DeBoer. "The 533 coaches (at all college and high school levels) 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!"

Webster made a trip to the NCAA Division III Tournament after winning the 2011 SLIAC Championship. The Gorloks are coached by SLIAC 2011 Coach of the Year Merry Graf, who will be entering her 12th season this fall. Greenville College is coached by Tom Ackerman, who will be entering his 16th season at the helm for the Panthers.

Courtesy Webster University sports information