LEXINGTON, Ky. – The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) recently announced its 2024-25 AVCA Team Academic Award. Eight volleyball teams represented the American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) and were honored with this year’s award.
A record number of volleyball programs earned the AVCA Team Academic Award. 1,450 collegiate and high school volleyball programs maintained a year-long grade-point average of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale to earn the award for their classroom excellence during the recently completed academic year.
The Central College Dutch continue to lead the A-R-C, and all of Division III, earning their 25th consecutive AVCA Team Academic Award. Nebraska Wesleyan follows closely behind Central, earning the team award for the 21st straight year. Simpson has earned it 17 consecutive years and the University of Dubuque for 16 consecutive years.
Buena Vista, Coe, Loras, and Wartburg were also recognized this year by the AVCA for their work in the classroom.
| 2024-25 AVCA Team Academic Award |
| Institution |
Head Coach |
| Buena Vista |
Will Baumann |
| Central |
Jeanne Czipri |
| Coe |
DeAnn Akins * |
| Univ. of Dubuque |
Karrah Davis |
| Loras |
Kristy Duncan |
| Nebraska Wesleyan |
Rayna Cain |
| Simpson |
KK Palea * |
| Wartburg |
Jennifer Walker * |
* head coach for the 2024 season
About the American Rivers Conference
The Conference dates back to December 8, 1922, when representatives from 12 colleges got together and formed the "Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Association." Honoring its heritage in Iowa and its expansion outside the state, the American Rivers Conference brand was established on August 9, 2018, to build on the academic and athletic success provided by its legacy, the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. The A-R-C has nine full-time members: Buena Vista University, Central College, Coe College, University of Dubuque, Loras College, Luther College, Nebraska Wesleyan University, Simpson College, and Wartburg College.
