LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Hampton University volleyball program earned the 2013-14 Team Academic Award from the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA), as the honorees were announced last week.

This marks the second straight year in which the Lady Pirates won the award.

“It’s a great honor to receive this award again in my second year at Hampton,” head coach Karen Weatherington said.

The Lady Pirates had the highest team GPA among all of the school’s athletic programs in 2013-14, and senior Andjela Petrovic was the class’ Valedictorian. She also graduated Summa Cum Laude, while Petra Parros graduated Cum Laude.

"Too often, athletic participation is associated with academic underachievement and this stereotype is simply false when it comes to volleyball," said AVCA Executive Director Kathy DeBoer. "Couple the smarts represented by these teams with the competitive experience and team-focused training gained on the court, and we have a potent formula for future leadership!

“What a significant contribution that is by their coaches and schools."

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.

In all, the AVCA recognized a record 676 programs – including 134 women’s Division I programs. Hampton was one of two MEAC schools to recognized, along with Bethune Cookman.

“We are so proud that our student-athletes are being recognized for the championship culture in the classroom, as well as their competiveness on the court,” Weatherington said. “I am thrilled that we are again being recognized for that hard work.”