Zips Vollyball gets 9th AVCA Academic Award

The American Volleyball Coaches Association Academic Award was established in 1992/93 so for a team to have won nine of them in 17 years speakes volumes of that programs attention to academic success. The award is presented to 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 grade-point average on a 4.0 scale or a 4.10 cumulative team GPA on a 5.0 scale.

Whats even more impressive than winning it every other year (on average) is the recent performance winning it five out of the past six years (2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and now 2009)

Seven of the 71 teams receiving the Team Academic Award this season represent the MAC (Akron, Ball State, Bowling Green, Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Toledo and Western Michigan).

Ashley Vogl appointed as Director of Volleyball Operations

The newly created post of Director of Volleyball Operations was given to ex-player Ashley Vogal yesterday. Colleen Munson was very high on having someone who had been through the Bronco's program take up the responsibility:

"Having gone through our program as a student-athlete for five years, she knows what we do. Now, she will help organize and orchestrate behind the scenes to make the experience of the current student-athlete what her experience was and enable them to just focus on volleyball."

The position touches every aspect of the Volleyball program; community outreach, acting as an alumni liaison, and working with the Marketing Office to promote the team. She will also be a resource for the coaching staff to use in handling their administrative activities like, recruiting, travel arrangements, and organizing Summer Camps.

The position is not just a first job for Vogl it is a chance to give back to a program which she took great joy in being a part of:

"I thought this was a nice way to give back to something that has given me so much. I appreciate the coaching staff for giving me this opportunity to stay involved in the program."