Aug. 3, 2011

LEXINGTON, Ky. - For the eighth consecutive year, the University of Memphis volleyball program was recognized as one of 92 Division I volleyball programs to earn the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Team Academic Award for the 2010-11 school year, the volleyball association announced.

"Once again it is a privilege to be recognized by the AVCA," head coach April Jauregui said. "We take great pride in our academic achievement. The team worked really hard this past spring and it paid off."

Memphis, which posted a 3.218 cumulative grade-point average in the fall semester and a 3.421 GPA in the spring semester, was one of a record 481 teams to earn the yearly honor. The program has now earned the Team award every year since 2003.

Christine Bach and Altrese Hawkins were both selected as members of the 2010-11 C-USA All-Academic team. Bach was also recognized as a member of the ESPN All-Academic District IV First Team.

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 GPA on a 4.0 scale or a 4.10 cumulative team GPA on a 5.0 scale.

Memphis will kick off its 2011 season on August 26, when it takes on Alabama A&M in the Memphis Invitational at the Elma Roane Fieldhouse.