LEXINGTON, Ky - 1,313 teams have earned the USMC/AVCA Team Academic Award for the 2019-2020 season, the United States Marine Corps (USMC) and the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) announced Monday.  Of those honored were Montevallo's volleyball program who have matched their dedication to the sport of volleyball with excellence in the classroom.

The team's cumulative GPA of 3.691415 was amongst the top 35 highest in the country, allowing them to earn this honor for the twelfth consecutive year.  Head coach Katie O'Brien opened up about the team's academic achievements, "I am proud of our student-athletes for doing well in the classroom.  Spring semester was a challenge with virtual learning; they rose to the occasion.  We have quite the tradition, 12 consecutive years, I hope it continues."

The award, initiated in the 1992-93 academic year, honors volleyball teams that maintain a year-long grade-point average of 3.30 on a 4.0 scale or 4.10 on a 5.0 scale.  "Coaches have the most influence during difficult times," said AVCA Executive Director Kathy DeBoer. "Keeping student-athletes focused on their academic success when their volleyball identity was suddenly gone is leadership worth celebrating!"