LEXINGTON, Ky. — The Hartford volleyball team was one of 243 NCAA Division I programs honored with the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Team Academic Award, earning the accolade for the ninth year in a row. Additionally, the Hawks are listed on the AVCA Team Academic Honor Roll, which recognizes the top-40 team GPAs among Division I teams.
The AVCA Team Academic Award was created in 1992-93 and honors collegiate and high school volleyball teams that displayed excellence in the classroom during the school year.
The volleyball team had yet another successful stretch in the classroom, combining for a 3.79 team GPA over the 2020-21 academic year, the highest among Hartford's 17 Division I teams.
"I am very proud of our team and everything that they have accomplished academically throughout this year," said head coach Vinh Nguyen. "Our student-athletes endured, persevered, and overcame tremendous challenges due to an unprecedented year of hybrid learning and stayed focused on getting the best education possible."
Of the 15 members on the volleyball team, 14 student-athletes posted at least a 3.0 GPA this past academic year, with 11 of those student-athletes achieving at least a 3.75. Most impressively, seven volleyball players — recent graduates Megan Anderson and Lacey Zadra, rising seniors Valerie Diede and Alex Lucero as well as rising juniors Robin Helms, Maddie Lindsay and Greta De Gaspar — turned in perfect 4.0 GPAs during the entire 2020-21 academic year.
"A special 'thank you' goes to our academic advisors, Denise Marchese and Molly Socha, for all of their guidance and support to make it possible for our team to achieve this goal," Nguyen said. "We couldn't be prouder of our student-athletes and everything they have accomplished in the classroom this past year."
Two Hawks were previously recognized by the America East for their excellence on the court and in the classroom this past season. Recent graduate Abby Nash joined Anderson in earning All-Academic Team honors. The duo, alongside Zadra, also earned America East Presidential Scholar Athletes graduating with a GPA of 3.75 or better as an undergraduate.
The Hawks also put together a solid season on the court in 2021 with a 4-6 record, including a perfect 4-0 mark inside the Hartford Volleyball Gym.
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