KUTZTOWN, Pa. – After a year hiatus, the Kutztown women's volleyball team earned another national team academic award, as the American Volleyball Coaches Association announced KU as one of the award winners Thursday.
 
In order to earn the AVCA Team Academic Award, teams are required to maintain a year-long grade-point average of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale. The award was first presented at the conclusion of the 1992–93 academic year. The AVCA represents women's volleyball, men's volleyball, and beach volleyball coaches, and works to increase exposure and recognition for the sport of volleyball.
 
It is the sixth team academic award in program history and first since 2024, as head coach Jason Barshinger helped bring the Maroon and Gold back to the national stage in his first season at the helm. The Golden Bears earned the honor in back-to-back years in 2023 and 2024, and then in 2002, 2005 and 2012.
 
According to the AVCA, 1,432 collegiate and high school teams hit the required GPA to earn the academic award.