LEXINGTON, Ky. -- The Belmont Abbey women's volleyball program has been recognized by the American Volleyball Coaches Association with the Team Academic Award sponsored by INTENT, the organization announced today. A record number of more than 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.

"We are so proud of our young women attacking academia at a high level this past year," Head Coach Toni Fox said. "We couldn't be happier for them to be recognized for their excellence in the classroom from the AVCA on a national level!"

The 2024 Crusaders earned eight appearances on the President's List, while making the Dean's List 18 times during the fall and spring semesters. Three players earned Academic All-District Honors from the College Sports Communicators and four were named Academic All-Conference Carolinas, running that total to 45 since 2015.

"It's an honor to receive this award as a team because it recognizes the effort we put not only on the court, but the effort we also put in the classroom," stated Katie Brookins, a sophomore biology major who holds a 4.0 grade-point average. "As a team we support each other to be our best selves as an athlete and as a student."