2021 USMC/AVCA Team Academic Awards
SEWARD, Neb. – The longest streak of Team Academic Awards in the NAIA has grown to 23. As announced on Monday (July 19), the Concordia University Volleyball program earned yet another Team Academic Award from the American Volleyball Coaches Association (and sponsored by the United States Marine Corps). The active streak owned by the Bulldogs is tied with Indiana State University for the largest among all college volleyball programs, across all divisions.
The AVCA team award, initiated in the 1992-93 academic year, honors volleyball teams that maintain a year-long grade-point average of 3.30 on a 4.0 scale or 4.10 on a 5.0 scale. Head Coach Ben Boldt’s 2020-21 team produced GPA’s of 3.74 for the fall semester and 3.76 for the spring semester. The program’s streak of consecutive AVCA Team Academic Awards dates back to 1999. The next longest streak in the NAIA is 18.
On the court, Concordia went 18-5 overall and finished this past season ranked eighth in the NAIA coaches’ poll. The Bulldogs advanced to the national quarterfinals for the first time in program history behind the likes of all-conference performers such as Tara Callahan, Gabi Nordaker and Camryn Opfer. Concordia is set to open up the 2021 season by hosting Mount Marty on Aug. 25.