LEXINGTON, Ky.-- For the third-consecutive year, the Trine volleyball team has been recognized by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) as the recipient of a Team Academic Award.
The Thunder earned a 3.653 cumulative grade-point average during the 2014-15 school year to earn the honor. The award 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 GPA on a 4.0 scale or a 4.10 cumulative team GPA on a 5.0 scale. The cumulative GPA is calculated from the GPAs of all team members competing in at least one varsity match. A record 756 teams across the high school and collegiate ranks received recognition this season.
Trine's work in the classroom places the team in the top third of all NCAA Division III women's volleyball programs in academic performance. All 15 of the team's performers eligible to contribute to the Team Academic Award earned a 3.1 or better in at least one semester. A total of 12 team members earned a 3.5 GPA or better during the 2014-15 school year.
Three members of the team earned perfect 4.0 GPAs on the year. Included among these was graduating senior Erin Lewis (Farmland, Ind./Winchester Community), who also earned the distinction of speaking at the 2015 Trine University graduation commencement.
The recognition pairs a standard of academic excellence with an on-court performance that saw the Thunder finish 24-6 overall, the team's best record since joining NCAA Division III in 2004. Taylor Rabel (Muncie, Ind./Muncie Central) was honored as an Academic All-District performer. The team also produced two All-MIAA performers.
The AVCA is a national coaching organization with membership that spans the high school and collegiate ranks. The association's mission is to advance the sport of volleyball with AVCA at the epicenter of leadership, advocacy and professional development.
Trine opens the season Friday, Sept. 4 at the Mount Union Invitational with matches against Westminster (Pa.) and the host-Purple Raiders. The first home match for the Thunder is slated for Friday, Sept. 11 against Saint Mary's.
