Lexington, Ky. – The Duquesne University volleyball team has earned the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Team Academic Award, sponsored by INTENT, for the 15th time in program history, as announced by the organization on Monday afternoon.

The award, established in the 1992–93 academic year, recognizes volleyball teams that maintain a year-long grade-point average of 3.30 or higher on a 4.00 scale (or 4.1 on a 5.0 scale). For 2025, a record-breaking 1,450 collegiate and high school volleyball programs met this standard to earn the AVCA Team Academic Award.

Dating back to 2019, this marks the seventh consecutive season the Dukes have earned academic recognition from the AVCA. In the spring of 2025, Duquesne posted an impressive 3.54 team GPA, highlighted by two student-athletes with perfect 4.00 GPAs, seven with a 3.50 or higher, and five others with at least a 3.00. Overall, Duquesne leads the Atlantic 10 Conference with 15 AVCA Team Academic Award selections since the award's inception in 1992–93.

The Dukes will kick off their 2025 season on August 29–30 at the YSU Invitational presented by Mercy Health in Youngstown, Ohio. Duquesne opens play on Friday, August 29, with a morning matchup against Canisius at 11:00 a.m., followed by an evening contest against host Youngstown State at 7:00 p.m. The Dukes wrap up the invitational on Saturday, August 30, taking on Mercyhurst at 12:00 p.m.

About the American Volleyball Coaches Association
The association's mission is to advance the sport of volleyball with AVCA coaches at the epicenter of leadership, advocacy, and professional development. The membership includes more than 9,500 collegiate, professional, high school, club, and youth volleyball coaches—primarily in the United States. The AVCA represents women's volleyball, men's volleyball, and beach volleyball coaches, and works to increase exposure and recognition for the sport of volleyball.

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