Ball State University Athletics
Women’s Volleyball Earns USMC/AVCA Team Academic Award
July 18, 2022 | Women's Volleyball
LEXINGTON, Ky - - The Ball State women's volleyball program was one of over 1,200 teams nationwide to earn the United State Marine Corps (USMC)/American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Team Academic Award for the 2021-22 season.
The Cardinals, who claimed the honor for the sixth straight season and the 12th time overall, also garnered Team Academic Honor Roll status after placing in the top 20% of team GPAs from the 212 NCAA Division I programs to receive the honor.
"Wow, what an honor to have made the top 20% honor roll," head coach Kelli Miller Phillips said. "This team understands how important it is to aim for excellence in all aspects of their lives and the habits they have perfected through hard work and discipline have made this happen. It takes a complete team effort to earn this type of award and I'm so proud of every player on this team for their commitment and dedication on and off the court."
Overall, Ball State's student-athletes finished the 2021-22 academic year with a 3.79 team GPA. All 18 of BSU's countable student-athletes maintained at least a 3.44 GPA during the school year, with both sophomore Lauren Gilliland and junior Natalie Risi boasting perfect 4.00 GPAs.
The award, which was initiated in the 1992-93 academic year, honors collegiate and high school volleyball programs which display excellence in the classroom during the school year by maintaining at least a 3.30 cumulative team grade point average on a 4.0 scale or a 4.10 cumulative team GPA on a 5.0 scale.
The defending Mid-American Conference regular season and tournament champions, Ball State opens the 2022 season Aug. 26 at the USF Tournament. The Cardinals will play 13 matches at home during the 2022 regular season, starting with the Ball State Tournament which runs Sept. 9-10.
Fans can secure their spot in The Nest to help cheer on Ball State in its title defense with both SEASON and SINGLE MATCH tickets on sale now.
Adult season tickets can be purchased for $78 in combination with men's volleyball tickets or $49 for just the women's volleyball season. Youth (18-and-under) season tickets are just $19. Single match tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for youth.
The Cardinals, who claimed the honor for the sixth straight season and the 12th time overall, also garnered Team Academic Honor Roll status after placing in the top 20% of team GPAs from the 212 NCAA Division I programs to receive the honor.
"Wow, what an honor to have made the top 20% honor roll," head coach Kelli Miller Phillips said. "This team understands how important it is to aim for excellence in all aspects of their lives and the habits they have perfected through hard work and discipline have made this happen. It takes a complete team effort to earn this type of award and I'm so proud of every player on this team for their commitment and dedication on and off the court."
Overall, Ball State's student-athletes finished the 2021-22 academic year with a 3.79 team GPA. All 18 of BSU's countable student-athletes maintained at least a 3.44 GPA during the school year, with both sophomore Lauren Gilliland and junior Natalie Risi boasting perfect 4.00 GPAs.
The award, which was initiated in the 1992-93 academic year, honors collegiate and high school volleyball programs which display excellence in the classroom during the school year by maintaining at least a 3.30 cumulative team grade point average on a 4.0 scale or a 4.10 cumulative team GPA on a 5.0 scale.
The defending Mid-American Conference regular season and tournament champions, Ball State opens the 2022 season Aug. 26 at the USF Tournament. The Cardinals will play 13 matches at home during the 2022 regular season, starting with the Ball State Tournament which runs Sept. 9-10.
Fans can secure their spot in The Nest to help cheer on Ball State in its title defense with both SEASON and SINGLE MATCH tickets on sale now.
Adult season tickets can be purchased for $78 in combination with men's volleyball tickets or $49 for just the women's volleyball season. Youth (18-and-under) season tickets are just $19. Single match tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for youth.
Players Mentioned
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's VolleyballSports Link: National Girls and Women in Sports Day
Wednesday, February 25
Celebrating National Girls and Women in Sports Day // Produced by Ball State Sports Link
Wednesday, February 04
Ball State Sports Link: SL Featured (November 2025)
Tuesday, November 25
Women's Volleyball // MAC Tournament Preview
Thursday, November 20