LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Illinois State volleyball squad have earned the 2025 American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Team Academic Award, sponsored by INTENT.
This award recognizing volleyball programs that maintained a year-long grade-point average of at least 3.3. This season is the 17th straight season that ISU has been recognized for this honor, the ninth-longest active streak in NCAA Division I volleyball.
This season ISU returns a veteran squad that includes All-MC First Team honoree Aida Shadewald and Freshman of the Year Khenedi Guest. Among the eight returning players that started at least nine matches last season include Shadewald, Guest, Caitlyn Little (310 kills), Ruth Ziegler (144 kills), Maggie McCrary (107 kills), Oliwia Caputo (120 kills), and Samantha Bunch (532 digs), while also bringing in the top-rated recruiting class in program history.
ISU's season opens with an exhibition on August 14 at the Red/White scrimmage, while the regular season starts on Friday, August 29 through Sunday, August 31 when the Birds will face off against DePaul, Western Michigan, and Oakland at the Western Michigan Tournament.
