Cresson, PA - The Mount Aloysius College volleyball program has received the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) scholastic honor for the fourth consecutive year. The Mountie team was honored this past spring by the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference as they won the conference's Peak Performer Award for the team's collective efforts in the classroom. The Peak Performer Award recognizes the team with the highest GPA in their respective sport. The Mountie Volleyball Team ended the year with a stellar 3.49 team GPA.

Mount Aloysius President Tom noted that the College's coaching staff are intentional about communicating to players that academics are their first focus. "We all like winning in athletic competition, noted Foley, "but success in the classroom is fundamental to success later in life. It is affirming to see our volleyball team earn recognition for excellence in the classroom and I congratulate each student-athlete. Their academic achievement reflects highly on their efforts and on the continued encouragement of their coaches, and the excellent support of our faculty."

Head Volleyball Coach Brianna Baker pushes her student-athletes to succeed on and off the court. "It is a great honor to receive both awards," Baker said. "It shows how hard our student-athletes work in the classroom. We strive for excellence on and off the court and for the players to be well-rounded individuals," she added. "Being a student who is involved in extracurricular activities requires a lot of determination and time management. I am beyond proud of the efforts and achievements of our Mountie volleyball team."

The AVCA award honors collegiate and high school volleyball teams that display excellence in the classroom during the school year by maintaining at least a 3.30 cumulative team grade-point average. There were a total of 822 teams that earned the honors; 150 Division III women's teams were awarded the AVCA Team Academic Award this year.