Volleyball earns academic honors for fourth straight year

ORANGE, Calif. – For the fourth consecutive year, the Chapman University volleyball team has been honored by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) for academic excellence. The Panthers earned the AVCA's Team Academic Award thanks to a cumulative 3.5 grade-point average amongst all student-athletes on their roster.

It is the fifth time in the past six years the Panthers have earned academic recognition from the AVCA as they were one of 93 schools in NCAA Division III to be honored for the 2012-13 academic year. A minimum 3.3 team average was required to earn the award.

All 16 members of Chapman's 2012-13 volleyball squad posted a minimum grade-point average of 3.1 for the second straight year. Junior OH Lena Buckendorf (3.89 GPA, biological sciences) and junior libero Lauren Schour (3.83 GPA, education studies) paved the way for Chapman with the highest individual marks.

Chapman's success in the classroom was equaled by its play on the court this season as the Panthers tied a school Division III record with 24 wins and reached the second round of the NCAA playoffs for the second straight year.

In total, a record 622 teams were recognized for their academic excellence by the AVCA across all levels of intercollegiate and high school athletics. The AVCA began this award program during the 1992-93 season and have honored over 1,000 different schools over the 20-year span.

Cal Lutheran University and Pomona-Pitzer Colleges join Chapman as the only other SCIAC programs to earn the award.

by Doug Aiken
Sports Information Director

Become a fan of Chapman Athletics on Facebook
Follow Chapman Athletics on Twitter @ChapmanSports
Post your #PantherPic to Instagram @ChapmanSports
#CUPanthers