August 1, 2006
Volleyball
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SYCAMORES EARN AVCA DISTINCION

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. — The Indiana State volleyball program has earned the American Volleyball Coaches Association GamePlan/Team Academic Award for the 2005-06 school year. The Sycamores have captured the award in each of the past eight seasons, which is the longest active streak in the country. ISU is one of 54 Division I women’s programs to receive the honor.
   “The tradition that has been carried on for the past eight years is a source of pride for our current and former student-athletes, coaches, and administrators,” said head coach Julie Krofcheck. “Over the past few years, the pressure to continue this tradition has come from the student-athletes. These young women in our program have continued to strive to maintain excellence in the classroom.”
   The award, initiated in the 1992-93 academic year, honors college and high school teams that displayed excellence in the classroom by maintaining at least a 3.30 cumulative team grade-point average during the school year. ISU’s women’s volleyball team carries a 3.36 cumulative team GPA.
   “The Game Plan/AVCA Team Academic Award is what being a student-athlete is all about. The AVCA is privileged to once again be able to award these schools for their excellence in the classroom,” AVCA Executive Director Kathy DeBoer said. “We congratulate the student-athletes, coaches and school personnel for achieving this honor and upholding the delicate balance between academics and athletics.”
   Recipients of the award range from NCAA Division I institutions to high school girls’ and boys’ teams. The college ranks produced 129 programs that met the requirements for the award.
   The ISU volleyball squad opens the season with an alumni match on August 19th. The Sycamores will host their annual Blue/White Scrimmage on August 23 before opening the season at Central Michigan on August 25.