LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Illinois State volleyball program has earned the American Volleyball Coaches (AVCA) Team Academic Award for the 2017-18 season, the AVCA announced Monday. This recognition marks the 10th-straight year that the Redbirds have been recognized by the organization for their continued academic excellence.
"I continue to be impressed with the attention the women in our program put towards their academics," shared head coach Leah Johnson. "Receiving the team academic award from the AVCA showcases that our program strives for academic success and that is something I am very proud of."
The award, which was initiated in the 1992-93 academic year, honors collegiate and high school volleyball teams that displayed excellence in the classroom during the school year by maintaining at least a 3.30 cumulative team grade-point average on a 4.0 scale or a 4.10 cumulative team grade point average (GPA) on a 5.0 scale.
The Redbirds compiled a team GPA of 3.67 at the conclusion of the 2017-18 academic school year. The fall semester saw seven student-athletes post a perfect 4.0 GPA, with six earning a spot on the AFNI Honor Roll, before each member of the team made it to the list in the spring. Six student-athletes finished with a perfect 4.0 GPA for the semester, while seven Redbirds finished the school year with a 3.94 cumulative GPA or better.
A record-breaking 973 teams earned the AVCA Team Academic Award for the 2017-18 season, including 164 programs from the Division I women's level.
Illinois State finished the 2017 campaign with a 22-13 record, and a trip to the second round of the National Invitational Volleyball Championship (NIVC), in Johnson's first season at the helm of the program. The Redbirds will look to continue its tradition of success in 2018, as they open the regular season at the Benson Invitational in Athens, Georgia, Aug. 24-25.
Fans will get their first look at the Redbirds when they host the annual Red & White scrimmage at Redbird Arena on Friday, Aug. 17 at 6 p.m., before welcoming DePaul on Saturday, Aug. 18 at 1 p.m. for an exhibition match.
Season Tickets
General admission adult season tickets are available for just $50. Children 12 years old and younger can receive free admission to all regular-season home contests with a Reggie's Kids Club membership card, which can be registered for free on the club's website. Season ticket holders that make a $100 contribution to the Weisbecker Scholarship Fund will also receive a parking pass, valid for the 2018 volleyball season, for the F62 lot right outside of Redbird Arena. Fans interested in purchasing season tickets or renewing can visit GoRedbirds.com/tickets or call the ISU Athletics Ticket Office at (309) 438-8000. Single game tickets are set to go on sale July 26.
GoRedbirds.com: Your online source for Illinois State Athletics, tickets, Weisbecker Scholarship Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.
