LEXINGTON, Ky. – Five Southern Conference teams were among the record 973 teams that the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) announced Monday have earned the AVCA Team Academic Award for the 2017-18 season. The number breaks the previous year’s total of 835 to set an all-time high.

SoCon schools ETSU, UNCG, Chattanooga, Western Carolina and Wofford were among the 163 women’s Division I programs honored.

The award, which was initiated 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 on a 4.0 scale or a 4.10 cumulative team GPA on a 5.0 scale.

For the AVCA’s full release and list of winners, click here.