Western New England Earns 2015-16 AVCA Team Academic Award

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (July 25, 2016) – The Western New England University volleyball team has been recognized for its success in the classroom with a Team Academic Award from the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA), the organization announced today.

Western New England is among 140 NCAA Division III women's volleyball programs and an AVCA record 762 collegiate and high school teams to maintain at least a 3.30 cumulative team grade point average on a 4.0 scale for the 2015-16 season. The Golden Bears, who posted a 3.42 cumulative team GPA last year, have now earned this award from the AVCA in consecutive seasons.

In addition to excelling academically, Western New England has also been extremely active in the community. Rising junior Carly Skibinski (Milford, N.J.), an All-Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) first team selection last fall, was presented with the Richard DiRuzza Emerging Leader Award at Western New England's Spring Sports Banquet in May for her efforts in this area. 

On the court, Western New England went 14-13 in 2015, including 5-3 in CCC action. The Golden Bears earned the fourth seed in the CCC Tournament and reached the semifinals for the fifth consecutive season.

Western New England opens its 2016 campaign on Thursday, September 1 against Worcester Polytechnic Institute at the Alumni Healthful Living Center.