Dutch earn volleyball academic award for 18th straight year
Central Dutch Athletics
PELLA—The Central College volleyball team has received the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Team Academic Award, continuing the 18-year streak of earning the national honor.
It’s the most consecutive years any Division III college has been recognized. Central has been cited 19 times overall. To receive the AVCA distinction, a team’s combined grade point average (GPA) for the preceding year must be 3.30 or higher (4.0 scale). The program is in its 26th year and Central is among 173 Division III schools cited.
Central had eight players earn academic all-Iowa Conference recognition last fall, which requires a 3.50 or better cumulative GPA. That group included Chapel Carter (senior, Coronado Springs, Colo./Coronado HS), Courtney Comstock (junior, Hedrick, Pekin HS), Erin Dilger (junior, Tinley Park, Ill., Lincoln Way-North) and Delanaey Tegeler (junior, Fenton, Ill., Erie HS). Also qualifying were recent graduates Jenna Dille (Carlisle), Madison Egger (Lincoln, Neb./Southwest HS), Keegan Flaherty (Burlington) and Kylie Gerstein (Iowa Falls-Alden HS).
“To have the record for the most consecutive academic awards is something to really be proud of,” coach Jeanne Czipri said. “It’s a testament to the coaches who preceded me and certainly to Central’s players. It shows that you can win at a high level and still have a great academic experience, study abroad and be involved in other campus activities. That’s what I love about Division III and Central does it as well as any school I’ve ever seen.”
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