NORMAL, Ill. – The Redbird volleyball team won Illinois State's grade-point average (GPA) award, while setting an in-season program GPA record, as Illinois State announced its Fall 2014 academic success during an on-court ceremony during halftime of a men's basketball game Tuesday night.
The ISU volleyball team posted a 3.62 team GPA, which set a new in-season record, while falling just short of the team's overall record of 3.66, set during the Spring 2013 semester. The team's GPA was the highest among all Redbird squads this fall.
"This is a disciplined and motivated group of young women. I can't say enough good things about their work ethic, commitment and character," said head coach Melissa Myers. "As we set goals for the season, our team GPA is always at the top of the list. It's been rewarding to see this group prioritize their academic success and excel both in the classroom and on the court."
Every member of the 2014 Redbird volleyball team was named to the AFNI Honor Roll, as the volleyball team was one of two Redbird programs to place 100 percent of its roster on the honor roll. Six members of the team earned perfect 4.0 GPAs during the fall semester.
The volleyball team's academic success came during a historic season on the court, as the Redbirds went 27-6 while winning Missouri Valley Conference regular-season and tournament titles, and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
A program-record five student-athletes – Kaitlyn Early, Ashley Rosch, Emily Orrick, Eliza Smith and Sierra Burris – earned MVC Scholar-Athlete Team honors. Smith also won the MVC's Elite 18 Award, recognizing the student-athlete with the highest cumulative GPA competing at a Valley championship.
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