The Hope College volleyball team has claimed the American Volleyball Coaches Association Team Academic Award for the 10th consecutive season.
The Flying Dutch, coached by Becky Schmidt, also posted the highest team grade point average among Hope teams during the 2018-19 school year. They also earned the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association Team GPA Award.
On the court, Hope advanced to the NCAA Division III Tournament last season and finished with a 25-8 record.
“I am very proud of our volleyball team’s commitment to getting the most out of their classes,” head coach Becky Schmidt said. “I am even more proud that they are able to achieve this academic success and participate in many of the extra opportunities that make their education rich. From study abroad and internships to collaborative research and student organizations, these student-athletes are learning in many different ways. We are grateful to be a part of a community that provides the opportunity for so much growth.”
The AVCA Team Academic 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 Flying Dutch are among 175 Division III teams to receive the honor.
This is the 11th time overall they have claimed the award.