Full Release
LEXINGTON, KY.- The West Chester University women's volleyball squad was once among the Division II women's volleyball programs honored by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) as recipients of the AVCA Team Academic Award sponsored by INTENT this past season.
Volleyball programs from across the country continue to prove their 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.
First awarded following the 1992-93 academic year, West Chester was honored on Thursday afternoon for the 14
th consecutive season and the 16
th time overall. The Golden Rams volleyball squad has appeared on the AVCA's Academic Award list every year since the 2010-11 campaign.
"It comes as no surprise to see our sport have more than 1,400 teams earn the AVCA Team Academic Award again this season," said AVCA CEO Jaime Gordon. "We are grateful for the dedication of the coaches and players who make both classroom and on-court success the lifeblood of their programs."
Head coach
Kassie Bellaver, who has been in charge of the Golden Rams during the team's entire 16-year run as an academic award recipient, opens the 2026 campaign hosting the PSAC East Kickoff Tournament on August 28-29.
About the American Volleyball Coaches Association
The association's mission is to advance the sport of volleyball with AVCA coaches at the epicenter of leadership, advocacy, and professional development. The membership includes over 9,500 collegiate, professional, high school, club, and youth volleyball coaches—primarily in the United States. The AVCA represents women's, men's, and beach volleyball coaches and works to increase exposure and recognition for the sport of volleyball.
