YSU Volleyball Program Earns AVCA Team Academic Award for 13th Straight Season
7/23/2026 12:05:00 PM | Volleyball
For the 13th consecutive season, Youngstown State's volleyball program has earned the AVCA Team Academic Award for high achievement in the classroom during the 2025-26 campaign.
YSU began the streak in 2013-14, and it is tied for the longest streak in the Horizon League with 13 straight appearances on the list published by the American Volleyball Coaches Association. A total of 1,432 collegiate and high school teams were celebrated for maintaining a year-long grade-point average of at least 3.3 on a 4.0 scale.
"It comes as no surprise to see our sport have more than 1,400 teams earn the AVCA Team Academic Award again this season," said AVCA CEO Jaime Gordon. "We are grateful for the dedication of the coaches and players who make both classroom and on-court success the lifeblood of their programs."
Youngstown State registered a 3.411 team GPA during the 2025-26 academic year, posting a 3.329 in the fall and a 3.505 in the spring. Individually, eight different Penguins earned a perfect 4.0 GPA in at least one semester. Ava Prince posted a 4.0 in both semesters, while Layne Graffice, Izzy Henry, Abbie Householder, Maria Insana, Teagan Ng, Julia Sell and Kylie Surratt each had one perfect semester. Householder, Insana and Gabriela Machin were recognized on the 2025 Valeo Horizon League Volleyball All-Academic Team while also earning Academic All-District accolades from College Sports Communicators.
