LEXINGTON, Ky. – The University of Sioux Falls volleyball program has once again been recognized for its excellence in the classroom, earning the 2026 American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Team Academic Award.

The honor marks the 15th consecutive year the Cougar volleyball program has received the prestigious academic recognition, highlighting a decade and a half of sustained excellence in the classroom. The award recognizes volleyball teams that maintained a year-long team grade-point average of at least 3.66 on a 4.0 scale during the 2025-26 academic year. This season, a record 1,432 collegiate and high school volleyball programs from across the country earned the distinction.

"Our student-athletes continue to demonstrate what it means to pursue excellence in every area of the collegiate experience," said head coach Dan Mathews. "We're proud of the commitment they've made in the classroom while also competing at a high level on the court. This recognition is a direct reflection of their hard work and the support they receive from our faculty, staff, and academic support team."

The AVCA Team Academic Award celebrates programs that place a strong emphasis on academic achievement alongside athletic success. Schools earning the honor have demonstrated a commitment to developing well-rounded student-athletes who excel both in competition and in the classroom.

"It comes as no surprise to see our sport have more than 1,400 teams earn the AVCA Team Academic Award again this season," said AVCA CEO Jaime Gordon. "We are grateful for the dedication of the coaches and players who make both classroom and on-court success the lifeblood of their programs."

In addition to the Team Academic Award, the AVCA also recognizes the top-performing academic programs in each division with Team Academic Champion and Team Academic Honor Roll distinctions.

The Cougars' 15-year streak reflects the program's sustained commitment to academic excellence and the University of Sioux Falls' mission of developing student-athletes who succeed both on the court and in the classroom.

About the AVCA Team Academic Award

The AVCA Team Academic Award honors collegiate and high school volleyball programs that maintain a minimum cumulative team GPA of 3.30 on a 4.0 scale (or 4.10 on a 5.0 scale) throughout the academic year. Established to recognize excellence beyond competition, the award celebrates programs that embody the balance of academic achievement and athletic success.