Photo by: Nataly Zuniga
Wildcats Collect 11th Straight AVCA Team Academic Award
7/23/2026 11:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
LEXINGTON, Ky. - Abilene Christian volleyball was recognized for its success in the classroom with the 2026 Team Academic Award from the American Volleyball Coaches Association, the organization announced Thursday. The Wildcats collected the honor for the 11th season in a row and for the 17th time in the past 18 years.
With a consistent commitment to academics, ACU's 17 total honors and 11 consecutive accolades are each second-most among Division I programs in Texas. To earn the Team Academic Award, programs must maintain a year-long grade point average of at least 3.3. Across the high school and collegiate levels, 1,432 teams were recognized for the 2025-26 academic year.
"It comes as no surprise to see our sport have more than 1,400 teams earn the AVCA Team Academic Award again this season," AVCA CEO Jaime Gordon said. "We are grateful for the dedication of the coaches and players who make both classroom and on-court success the lifeblood of their programs."
Thirteen Wildcats garnered Academic All-Western Athletic Conference distinction this past academic year for holding at least a 3.2 GPA and competing in a minimum of 50% of team contests. It tied for the most honorees in the WAC, 11 of which return for the 2026 campaign.
Four ACU student-athletes went on to receive Academic All-District distinction from College Sports Communicators, the maximum number of recipients allowed per team. Hannah Gonzalez, Rachel Koss, Izabelle Larson and Avery Thaler represented the Wildcats with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.50 while competing in 90% of team matches or starting at least 66% of matches. Each will return to the court this season.
ACU opens the 2026 campaign in nearly a month, its fourth year under head coach Ijeoma Moronu Alstrup and its debut season in the United Athletic Conference. The Wildcats host the ACU Invitational at Moody Coliseum on Aug. 28-29, taking on the likes of Lamar, Cal State Bakersfield and North Texas.
The Wildcats tune up for the regular season with an intrasquad scrimmage and two exhibitions. The Purple and White Scrimmage is set for Aug. 11 before ACU battles Texas Tech at Moody Coliseum on Aug. 15. The Wildcats then head to San Angelo to play Angelo State on Aug. 21 at the Junell Center-Stephens Arena.
With a consistent commitment to academics, ACU's 17 total honors and 11 consecutive accolades are each second-most among Division I programs in Texas. To earn the Team Academic Award, programs must maintain a year-long grade point average of at least 3.3. Across the high school and collegiate levels, 1,432 teams were recognized for the 2025-26 academic year.
"It comes as no surprise to see our sport have more than 1,400 teams earn the AVCA Team Academic Award again this season," AVCA CEO Jaime Gordon said. "We are grateful for the dedication of the coaches and players who make both classroom and on-court success the lifeblood of their programs."
Thirteen Wildcats garnered Academic All-Western Athletic Conference distinction this past academic year for holding at least a 3.2 GPA and competing in a minimum of 50% of team contests. It tied for the most honorees in the WAC, 11 of which return for the 2026 campaign.
Four ACU student-athletes went on to receive Academic All-District distinction from College Sports Communicators, the maximum number of recipients allowed per team. Hannah Gonzalez, Rachel Koss, Izabelle Larson and Avery Thaler represented the Wildcats with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.50 while competing in 90% of team matches or starting at least 66% of matches. Each will return to the court this season.
ACU opens the 2026 campaign in nearly a month, its fourth year under head coach Ijeoma Moronu Alstrup and its debut season in the United Athletic Conference. The Wildcats host the ACU Invitational at Moody Coliseum on Aug. 28-29, taking on the likes of Lamar, Cal State Bakersfield and North Texas.
The Wildcats tune up for the regular season with an intrasquad scrimmage and two exhibitions. The Purple and White Scrimmage is set for Aug. 11 before ACU battles Texas Tech at Moody Coliseum on Aug. 15. The Wildcats then head to San Angelo to play Angelo State on Aug. 21 at the Junell Center-Stephens Arena.
Players Mentioned
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