LEXINGTON, Ky. – Minnesota State Moorhead was honored by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) on Thursday. The Dragons earned an AVCA Team Academic Award thanks to a cumulative GPA of 3.709 for the 2025-26 academic year. 

In the fall, Moorhead held a 3.641 GPA for the term, only to improve on that number in the spring semester. To close out the year, the Dragons held a 3.784 GPA as a team during the spring term. Overall, MSUM volleyball held the third-highest cumulative GPA in the department for 2025-26. 

This year's honor marks the third straight season Moorhead has been honored with an AVCA Team Academic Award. In total, 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 (or 4.1 on a 5.0 scale).

"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."

About the AVCA

The mission of the AVCA is to advance the sport of volleyball with AVCA coaches at the epicenter of leadership, advocacy, and professional development. With a membership of over 10,000 and counting, the AVCA provides a professional network for those individuals and companies dedicated to enhancing and promoting the sport. Members include collegiate, high school, club, youth, and Olympic coaches, as well as volleyball club directors. The AVCA provides professional development for volleyball coaches, recognition of elite players and coaches, promotion of volleyball competitions throughout the world, and networking opportunities for volleyball products and services providers. The AVCA, located in Lexington, Kentucky, is managed by Associations International.