Leathernecks earn 2009-10 AVCA Team Academic Award

MACOMB, Ill. - The Western Illinois volleyball team became one of only 94 Division I women's teams to earn the 2009-10 American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Team Academic Award.

“The player's have established a focused culture for the team's academic expectations,” Western Illinois head coach Kym McKay said. “Incoming freshmen know before they arrive on campus for their first preseason that success and responsibility in the classroom are high priorities. The upperclassmen are great roles models and ensure that the younger players get on the right path.”

The Leathernecks are one of four Summit League teams to receive the award as IPFW, North Dakota State and Oakland were also on the list.

The AVCA Team Academic Award, which was first initiated during the 1992-93 academic year, honors volleyball teams at the high school and collegiate levels who show success in the classroom. Nominees include high school or college teams that have a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.30 (on a 4.00 scale) or 4.10 (on a 5.00 scale) during the full academic year, and include all varsity athletes who competed in volleyball with the institution for any portion of the academic year.

Earning the award for the second-consecutive season, Western Illinois has captured the team honor four times in the last five years. The Leatherneck volleyball program has experienced a 100 percent graduation rate in the last eight seasons under McKay.

Western's volleyball team led the entire department's academic efforts in the spring 2010 semester as it posted a 3.71 team GPA. The volleyball program had seven of 13 players earn a 4.0 spring GPA and had 12 of 13 players earn a 3.4 or better in the spring.

“The support that each student-athlete receives from all of the departments on campus is tremendous,” McKay said. “Lisa Melz (Director of Athletic Academic Services) and her staff put a lot of passion into each team and student-athlete. Last year's academic performance was beyond impressive. I have high expectations, but the spring went well above and beyond. A 3.71 team GPA--amazing--plain and simple, and worth every positive accolade it receives. The team has set a new standard.”

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