LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Illinois State volleyball program has earned the American Volleyball Coaches (AVCA) Team Academic Award for the 2018-19 school year, the AVCA announced Monday. This recognition marks the 11th-consecutive year that the Redbirds have been recognized by the organization for their continued academic excellence.
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 3.46 at the conclusion of the 2018-19 academic school year. The fall semester saw four student-athletes post a perfect 4.0 GPA, with 12 earning a spot on the AFNI Honor Roll, before nearly the entire team made it to the list in the spring. Three student-athletes finished with a perfect 4.0 GPA for the semester, while seven Redbirds finished the school year with a 3.50 cumulative GPA or better.
A record-breaking 1,125 teams earned the AVCA Team Academic Award for the 2018-19 school year, including 189 programs from the Division I women's level.
Illinois State finished the 2018 campaign with a 25-8 record, Missouri Valley Conference Regular-Season Championship title and trip to the NCAA Tournament in Leah Johnson's second season at the helm of the program. The Redbirds will look to continue its tradition of success in 2019, as they open the regular season at the North Texas Invitational in Denton, Texas, Aug. 30-31.
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. Children can be registered for free on the club's website. Season ticket holders making a $100 contribution to the Weisbecker Scholarship Fund will receive a complimentary parking pass. The pass is valid for the 2019 volleyball season and located in the F62 lot outside the east entrance of Redbird Arena. Fans interested in purchasing new season tickets, and current season ticket holders wishing to renew, can visit GoRedbirds.com/tickets or call the ISU Athletics Ticket Office at (309) 438-8000. Single-game tickets go on sale Thursday, July 25, at 9 a.m.
REDBIRD CLASSIC
The Redbird Classic returns to Redbird Arena in 2019, as Illinois State will welcome 2018 NCAA Tournament participants Illinois, UCF and Marquette on Sept. 13-15. The meeting between the Redbirds and the Illini at 7 p.m. on Sept. 13 will be the first in nearly 10 years to the date, while ISU's matchup with UCF on Sept. 14 will be just the second in program history. Illinois State will close the Redbird Classic at 3 p.m. on Sept. 15 against Marquette, as the Redbirds will look for their first win over the Golden Eagles since ISU pulled off a 3-2 upset in the 2014 NCAA Tournament.
For updates on Illinois State Volleyball, follow the Redbirds on Twitter (@RedbirdVB) and Instagram (@redbirdvolleyball).
GoRedbirds.com and the Illinois State Redbirds App: Your sources for Illinois State tickets, Weisbecker Scholarship Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.
