HOUSTON – The University of St. Thomas Women's Volleyball program has been recognized for its excellence in the classroom, earning the 2026 AVCA Team Academic Award as announced by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) on Thursday.
 

The AVCA Team Academic Award honors volleyball programs that maintain a year-long team grade-point average of at least 3.30 on a 4.0 scale. This year, a record 1,432 collegiate and high school volleyball teams across the nation received the distinction, highlighting the continued commitment of student-athletes to success both in competition and in the classroom.

"We are grateful for the dedication of the coaches and players who make both classroom and on-court success the lifeblood of their programs," said AVCA CEO Jaime Gordon.

St. Thomas was one of the NCAA Division III women's volleyball programs recognized for its outstanding academic achievement during the 2025-26 academic year. The honor reflects the hard work and dedication of the Celts' student-athletes, who continue to excel in balancing the demands of academics and collegiate athletics.

Under the leadership of Head Coach Keanne Burt, the program has established a culture that emphasizes excellence in every aspect of the student-athlete experience. The AVCA Team Academic Award serves as another testament to the team's commitment to achieving success beyond the volleyball court.