LEXINGTON, Ky. – Southeast Missouri women's volleyball, the 2021 Ohio Valley Conference Tournament and Regular-Season Champions, was awarded the United States Marine Corps (USMC)/American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Team Academic Award for the 2021-2022 season, the USMC and AVCA announced Monday.
 
SEMO earned the honor for the 15th consecutive season and 22nd time in program history. 
 
More than 1,200 collegiate and high school volleyball teams earned the USMC/AVCA Team Academic Award for the 2021-2022 season. The award, initiated in the 1992–93 academic year, honors volleyball teams that maintain a year-long grade-point average of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale or 4.1 on a 5.0 scale. 
 
"Academic achievement does not happen by accident," said AVCA Executive Director Kathy DeBoer. "I'm so proud of the hundreds of coaching staffs that make excellence in the classroom a priority."
 
This year's academic award was earned by eight women's teams that also won national collegiate championships on the court and in the sand during the 2021–22 season:
 
University of Wisconsin (NCAA Division I)
University of Tampa (NCAA Division II)
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire (NCAA Division III)
Iowa Western Community College (NJCAA Division I)
Columbia International University (NCCAA Division I)
University of Southern California (NCAA Beach)
Colorado Mesa University (AVCA Small College Beach - Division II)
Stevenson University (AVCA Small College Beach - Division III)
 
About the United States Marine Corps
Our long-standing partner, the United States Marine Corps, extends its support to our nation's coaches and educators. Just as you make every effort to help your student-athletes succeed, the Marine Corps strives to help every Marine reach his or her potential. Whether engaging a local Marine to work with your athletes or recognizing high-achieving students, with your support as an influencer we will work together to ensure the success of our youth and the future of our nation. For more information about the Marine Influencer Program, or to invite a Marine to spend time with your team, please email community@marines.usmc.mil or visit https://RMI.Marines.com/Influencer.
 
About the AVCA
The AVCA, an educationally based nonprofit headquartered in Lexington, Kentucky, is the largest and most diverse volleyball coaches' association in the world. With a broad mandate to develop the sport, the AVCA provides leadership, recognition, advocacy, and professional development opportunities to over 8,000 volleyball coaches. Members include college, high school, club, and youth coaches, and well as a wide variety of product and service providers. Further information is available at avca.org.