The Kent State University volleyball program's success in
the classroom during the 2014-2015 academic year earned
it the Team Academic Award from the American Volleyball
Coaches Association (AVCA).

The Kent State University volleyball program's success in the classroom during the 2014-2015 academic year resulted in receiving the Team Academic Award from the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA). The Golden Flashes are one of only two Mid-American Conference schools to earn the award each of the past three years and also qualify for the conference's postseason tournament the past two years.

Head coach Don Gromala has placed an emphasis on academics since arriving at Kent State, resulting in the volleyball program posting some of the best semester GPAs in program history. The team concluded the academic year by earning a department-best 3.639 term GPA, which is the highest since the spring of 2009. Additionally, this is the first time in program history that Kent State has been recognized by the AVCA for its academic achievements in three consecutive years.

Following the 2014 season, the Mid-American Conference recognized six Golden Flashes for their academic accomplishments. Bridget Wilhelm was named a Distinguished Scholar Athlete and was joined by Jenny Buczek, Lauren Engleman, Kelly Hutchison, Kaylee Koller and Sarah Mills as Academic All-MAC recipients.

The Team Academic Award, which the AVCA created in the 1992-93 academic year, honors collegiate and high school volleyball teams that displayed excellence in the classroom during the school year by maintaining at least a 3.30 cumulative team grade point average. Kent State has earned the award seven times.

For more information about Kent State athletics, visit www.kentstatesports.com.