WEST PLAINS, Mo. – The 2022-2023 Grizzly Volleyball team at Missouri State University-West Plains (MSU-WP), was one of 22 NJCAA Division I teams receiving the Team Academic Award from the United States Marine Corps (USMC) and the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA).
The award, initiated in the 1992-1993 academic year, honors high school and collegiate volleyball teams that maintain a year-long grade point average of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale or 4.1 on a 5.0 scale. Thursday, the USMC/AVCA announced that 1,332 high school and collegiate volleyball teams were recognized this year, marking an all-time record number of programs honored for their academic achievements.
“I am very proud of our team being recognized for its outstanding work in the classroom by receiving the USMC/AVCA Team Academic Award,” said former Grizzly Volleyball Head Coach Paula Wiedemann, who nominated the Grizzlies for the award. “It is a testament to their dedication and commitment to being successful on and off the court. They take pride in the work they put into being a student-athlete and how they represent our campus and community.”
“The commitment our coaches make to help their student-athletes pursue the best versions of themselves is evident in the academic accomplishments highlighted today,” AVCA CEO Jaime Gordon said in a press release announcing the awards. “Achievement on the court has always been closely tied to success in the classroom which is reflected by the number of championship programs honored.”
Wiedemann was quick to recognize the team’s support system for its role in the team’s success in the classroom. “This is the culmination of a lot of effort put in by our players and everyone who supports them as student-athletes. It doesn’t happen without our tremendous faculty, academic support staff, academic advisers and tutors who work with our students to help them be the best in all they do,” she said.
“I do want to give a special thank you to Thora Broyles and Alexandra Graham for their leadership of the Grizzly Math and Science Center and the Arch W. Shaw Writing Center, respectively,” Wiedemann added. “Their guidance and encouragement for our student-athletes is invaluable. I’m so happy for our team and our campus to receive this recognition! We have a great village!”
About the USMC
The AVCA’s long-standing partner, the United States Marine Corps, extends its support to AVCA’s administrators and coaches. Just as you make every effort to help your student-athletes succeed, the Marine Corps strives to help every Marine reach their potential. Whether engaging local Marines to work with your athletes or recognizing and referring high-achieving students, your support as an influencer ensures the success of our youth and the future of our nation. For more information about the Marine Influencer Program please visit us at Connect.Marines.com.
About the AVCA
The AVCA, an educationally based nonprofit headquartered in Lexington, KY, is the largest and most diverse volleyball coaches’ association in the world. With a broad mandate to develop the sport, the AVCA provides leadership, recognition, advocacy, and professional development opportunities to over 8,200 volleyball coaches. Members include college, high school, club, and youth coaches, and well as a wide variety of product and service providers. Further information is available at AVCA.org.
Caption for Photo:
THE 2022-2023 GRIZZLY Volleyball Team at Missouri State University-West Plains (MSU-WP) received the Team Academic Award from the United States Marine Corps (USMC) and the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA). Team members included, front row from left, Doga Kutlu, Sthefany Maximo, Ilana Assis, Alexis Reeser, Lauryn Farish and Alyssa Reeser. Second row: Alexis Shumpert, current Grizzly Volleyball Head Coach Paty Figueiredo, former Grizzly Volleyball Head Coach Paula Wiedemann, current Grizzly Volleyball Assistant Coach Robson Da Costa and Heather Montague. Back row: Karya Suvarioglu, Asli Erdi, Manuela Bibinbe, Alana Moesch and Lily Merrill. (MSU-WP Photo)
