The Sandhills Community College volleyball program has earned national recognition from the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) for its outstanding performance in the classroom during the 2024–2025 academic year.
Both the indoor and beach volleyball teams received the 2025 AVCA Team Academic Award, which honors programs that maintain a team GPA of 3.3 or higher for the year. This marks a major academic achievement for the Flyers, showcasing their commitment to excellence on and off the court.
Even more impressive, Sandhills was named the NJCAA Division III Team Academic Champion for indoor volleyball and the NJCAA Women’s Beach Team Academic Champion—meaning the Flyers held the highest team GPA in the nation for their respective divisions.
“This honor reflects the incredible work ethic of our student-athletes and the high standards we set at Sandhills,” said Head Coach Alicia Riggan in a news advisory. “We’re proud of their performance in the classroom and their dedication to being true student-athletes.”
A key contributor to the team’s academic achievement is Marsha Apke, Sandhills’ Academic Support for Athletics. Her weekly meetings with players, individualized support, and commitment to student success have helped athletes stay focused and accountable throughout the year. “Marsha has been an integral part of our academic success,” said Riggan. “She keeps our players on track and is truly invested in their goals.”
The AVCA Team Academic Award recognized over 1,450 high school and college programs nationwide this year, celebrating academic achievement across all levels of volleyball.
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Contributed article/photo.
