LEXINGTON, Ky. - For the second straight season, the Carson-Newman volleyball team earned national recognition from the American Volleyball Coaches Association. The Eagles joined eight other South Atlantic Conference teams to bring in the Team Academic Award.

To qualify for the award, a team must maintain at least a 3.30 cumulative grade-point average. The accolade dates back to the 1992-93 academic year that has honored high school and collegiate programs.

Nine different players were honored by the SAC in its annual academic honor roll. Eileen Anderson (Pittstown, N.J.), Rachel Cutshaw (Morristown, Tenn.), Sara Fairley (Charlotte, N.C.), Morgan Harlan (Ladera Ranch, Calif.), Rachel Harper (Chattanooga, Tenn.), Kristina Hill (Lake Orion, Mich.), Kristen Pickett (Cleveland, Tenn.), Lauren Santarelli (Colorado Springs, Colo.), Kianna Sedlacek (Cardlington, Ohio) and Lindsey Wells (Morristown, Tenn.) were the athletes that maintained a cumulative 3.30 GPA or higher during the 2014-15 academic year. 

"A hearty congratulations to all the volleyball coaches whose teams won the AVCA Team Academic Award," AVCA Executive Director Kathy DeBoer said. "Teams do not succeed in the classroom by accident any more so than they do on the court. The same coach who taught them volleyball skills cared enough about their academic achievement to gather their grades, calculate their GPA, and submit a nomination on their behalf. In doing so, these coaches sent a clear message that classroom success is just as important as volleyball success. All involved should celebrate this award!"

Coming off of an NCAA Tournament appearnence in 2014, the Carson-Newman volleyball team begins its quest for back-to-back bids at the Laker Riverfront Classic in Allendale, Mich. on September 4 aginast Quincy at 3 p.m. The tournament is hosted by 2014 Final Four participant Grand Valley State as the Eagles will play four matches in two days.