Wheeling, W. Va. - Under the leadership of Head Coach Christy Benner, the Wheeling University Volleyball team has built a tradition of winning matches on the court. However, success in the classroom has always trumped success on the court, and that tradition continued with the announcement of the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Team Academic Awards last Thursday. For the 14th season in a row, the Cardinals earned the Team Academic Award, and added the special distinction this season of representing the top 20% of GPA's nationally by division.
"Since the beginning, we have always preached that winning starts in the classroom, and this is a testament to our young women buying into that tradition," said Wheeling University Head Volleyball Coach Christy Benner. "It is an honor to earn the AVCA Team Academic Award again this season, and we look forward to continued success both on the court and in the classroom."
In order to earn the AVCA's Team Academic Award, a team must maintain a year-long grade point average of at least 3.3 on a 4.0 scale throughout the 2025-2026 academic year. This season, 1,432 collegiate and high school volleyball teams earned the distinction, with two divisions – Women's Collegiate Beach and Two-Year College - each setting records for total recipients. Teams, like the Cardinals, who have received the award for 10 or more years are highlighted on the list of honorees for their consistent commitment to academics. Wheeling was highlighted on this year's list for the third year in a row, winning the award in every season dating back to the 2012-2013 academic year.
Along with winning the Team Academic Award, the Cardinals also earned the Team Academic Honor Roll Distinction for the third straight season. This award helps them stand out as one of the programs in the Top 20% of their division. As a team, Wheeling put together a team GPA of 3.785 during the season, equaling their GPA from a season ago. On the court, the Cardinals would also continue their winning ways, earning the Mountain East Conference (MEC) Co-North Division Championship. They qualified for the MEC Volleyball Tournament for the 12th year in a row, led by a young team featuring 10 freshmen. The new wave adjusted to collegiate life both on and off the court, and look to continue building on the winning tradition both on and off the court.
The Cardinals were one of four teams across the MEC to earn the AVCA Team Academic Award, joining Fairmont State, West Liberty, and the University of Charleston in being honored on this year's list. Wheeling currently has the longest streak of winning academic honors, sitting just ahead of West Liberty, who has taken home the award in 12 consecutive seasons.
The Wheeling University Volleyball team will open their season on Thursday, August 27th, when they take on Spring Hill College at noon.
