LEXINGTON, Ky. – Seven Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) volleyball programs attained Team Academic Awards from the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) for the 2014-15 school year.

Hope College, the defending Division III National Champion, earned the distinction alongside six other MIAA programs including Albion College, Alma College, Calvin College, Kalamazoo College, Saint Mary’s College and Trine University.

The seven MIAA schools were among 140 D-III institutions to achieve the honor and a record 756 teams across all classifications to earn recognition from the AVCA.

The award 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. The cumulative GPA is calculated from the GPAs of all team members competing in at least one varsity match.

The AVCA is a national coaching organization with membership that spans the high school and collegiate ranks. The association's mission is to advance the sport of volleyball with AVCA at the epicenter of leadership, advocacy and professional development.