IRVINE, Calif. - Two Concordia University Irvine volleyball teams have earned national recognition for hitting the books just as hard as they smack kills in their matches!

Both the CUI beach volleyball and indoor women's volleyball squads were rewarded for their strong academic efforts by the United States Marine Corps and American Volleyball Coaches Association this week.

The annual USMC/AVCA Team Academic Award given to both sets of Golden Eagles celebrates college teams across the country that earn at least a 3.3 Team GPA or higher during their time at their school that season.

The beach volleyball team posted a 3.53 institutional GPA as a group this past academic year.  Under the leadership of head coach Jennifer Griffith, the CUI beach volleyball team also won 20 games for the second straight season - undoubtedly the best two-year stretch of success for the program.

In the sand, the Golden Eagles made it to the national semifinals in the AVCA Small College Beach Championships for the second straight spring.  Their fine season culminated with a third-place finish out in Florida and the program's first-ever victories over Saint Leo and eventual AVCA Champion Tampa.

For the indoor women's volleyball team, this is the second consecutive season that Paula Weishoff's squad has achieved this honor.  CUI raised its combined institutional GPA from 3.33 to 3.47 while featuring one of the top five squads in the conference on the court. 

15 members of the CUI indoor women's volleyball team were also honored as members of the Academic All-PacWest team this summer for having at least a 3.0 GPA or higher individually during this past school year.

With more than a dozen returners for the upcoming fall season back wearing the Green and Gold, the women's volleyball team looks to dethrone two-time PacWest Conference champion Chaminade and build off their recent success.  The season opener for the ladies is Thursday, Aug. 31 as the Golden Eagles host a three-day tournament to jump start the new school year!

CLICK HERE for the NEW 2023 CUI women's volleyball schedule!

CLICK HERE for the full list of USMC/AVCA volleyball programs honored!

About the United States Marine Corps

Our long-standing partner, the United States Marine Corps, extends its support to our nation's coaches and educators. Just as you make every effort to help your student-athletes succeed, the Marine Corps strives to help every Marine reach his or her potential. Whether engaging a local Marine to work with your athletes or recognizing high-achieving students, with your support as an influencer we will work together to ensure the success of our youth and the future of our nation. For more information about the Marine Influencer Program, or to invite a Marine to spend time with your team, please email community@marines.usmc.mil or visit https://RMI.Marines.com/Influencer.

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 8,000 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.