LEXINGTON, Ky. – Volleyball programs from across the country continue to enjoy widespread success off the court as 1,432 collegiate and high school volleyball teams earned the 2026 AVCA Team Academic Award by maintaining a year-long grade-point average of at least 3.3 on a 4.0 scale (or 4.1 on a 5.0 scale).
 
Completing the year with a team GPA of 3.429, the Purple Aces program was recognized with the award. Eight student-athletes completed the academic year with a GPA of 3.7 or higher while Holland Morris, Sabrina Ripple, and Ryan Scheu completed the year with perfect GPA's of 4.0.
 
"Congratulations to our student-athletes for their work in the classroom and for earning the program the AVCA Team Academic Award," UE head volleyball coach Zach Weinberg said. "Starting in the recruiting process and continuing throughout their entire time as a volleyball student-athlete at UE, we talk about how this award is the expectation, not a goal, for this program."
 
"I'm incredibly proud of not just the academic success, but the success within some of the most difficult majors UE has to offer. Great work, Aces!"