Lexington, Ky. – The Duquesne volleyball team continued its tradition of academic excellence by earning the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Team Academic Award for the 16th time in program history, the organization announced Thursday afternoon.

Established during the 1992-93 academic year, the AVCA Team Academic Award recognizes volleyball programs that maintain a year-long team grade-point average of at least 3.30 on a 4.00 scale (or 4.1 on a 5.0 scale). A total of 1,432 collegiate and high school teams earned the honor in 2026.

Dating back to 2019, the Dukes have earned AVCA Team Academic Award recognition in each of the last eight seasons. Duquesne posted an impressive 3.61 team GPA during the spring 2026 semester, highlighted by six student-athletes who recorded a perfect 4.00 GPA, four who earned at least a 3.50 GPA and two who finished with a GPA of 3.00 or higher.

The Dukes also excelled in the classroom during the fall 2025 semester, compiling a 3.51 team GPA. That semester featured four student-athletes with a perfect 4.00 GPA, four who earned at least a 3.50 GPA and five who posted a GPA of 3.00 or higher.

Overall, Duquesne's 16 AVCA Team Academic Awards are the most of any Atlantic 10 program since the honor was established during the 1992-93 academic year.

Duquesne opens the 2026 season at the Youngstown State Invitational for the second consecutive year. The Dukes begin tournament play on Friday, Aug. 28, against Canisius at 11:00 a.m. before facing host Youngstown State at 7:00 p.m. Duquesne wraps up the opening weekend on Saturday, Aug. 29, with a noon matchup against Mercyhurst.

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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