PELLA— With its streak of consecutive honors reaching 25 years, the Central College volleyball team received the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Team Academic Award sponsored by INTENT for the 2024-25 year.
             
To receive the AVCA distinction, a team's combined grade point average (GPA) for the preceding year must be 3.30 or higher (4.0 scale). The Dutch secured a 3.55 average for 2024-25 academic year. The Dutch had four players with a 3.90 or better GPA, including team captains Avery Rexroat (Macomb, Ill.) and Alexah Mellenberger (New Glarus, Wis.).
           
The AVCA program is in its 33rd year and Central is among 227 Division III schools cited this year. Central has achieved the academic standard 25 years in a row and 26 times overall, both records for Division III programs. Only 20 Division III programs have done it at least 20 times.
           
During the course of Central's streak, Dutch volleyball players have twice been named College Sports Communicators Academic All-Americans and piled up 19 CSC Academic All-District honors.
           
"Our academic philosophy is to be the best version of ourselves so our team can be the best version of itself as well," coach Jeanne Czipri said. "Each individual has to own their academic commitment through discipline, time management, sacrifice and competitive resilience to navigate the challenges they may meet. Our team supports and pushes each other to put their best foot forward in the classroom. This is a 100% a team effort across the board and everyone is responsible for giving their absolute whole heated commitment to their academics."