LEXINGTON, KY. - Appalachian State University volleyball was rewarded for its efforts off the court Wednesday afternoon, as the Mountaineers were named recipients of the American Volleyball Coaches Association team academic award.
The Black and Gold were one of 94 NCAA Division I women's teams to earn the academic honor, with just two other SoCon teams earning the distinction, as both Elon and Chattanooga were honored.

The 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. The Mountaineers held a 3.672 team GPA for the 2009-10 academic year.

Keeping with their strong academic performances, six volleyball student-athletes were also named Southern Conference fall-academic all-conferences honorees as well in 2009, meaning they held at least a 3.2 grade point average.

Head coach Matt Ginipro is thrilled that his team continues to succeed in the classroom and that their academic excellence was recognized.

"I'm extremely honored that we have received another AVCA team academic award," Ginipro said. "Every one of our players puts a priority on their academic performance and I'm proud of them for setting the bar so high. It is wonderful to coach a group who puts as much emphasis on their academic success as they do their success on the volleyball court."