LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Bethel University Volleyball squad was honored as a recipient of the 2020 USMC/AVCA Team Academic Award. The team sustained an average team GPA of 3.33 for the entire year.

AVCA Executive Director Kathleen J. DeBoer said, “In this uncertain time leadership matters. While we lost our ability to be together this spring and to play our sport, Coach Starla Cupples was a critical anchor for players transitioning to and sometimes struggling with remote learning. Coach Cupples did not win this award, the Bethel team did, but the encouragement to stay focused on academics means this accomplishment was not happenstance.”

Bethel Athletic Director Dale Kelley commented, “We are very proud of Coach Cupples and the squad. Even without their sport to bond them, they succeeded as a group of student-athletes. We all would like to congratulate them on this prestigious award.”

The award is presented by the American Volleyball Coaches Association and the United States Marine Corps.