Members of the 2024-25 Laurel-Concord-Coleridge volleyball team were recently recognized with the prestigious AVCA Team Academic Award.
LCC earned this national distinction with a cumulative GPA of 3.38, showcasing the program’s commitment to excellence in the classroom as well as on the court.
The award, presented by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA), honors collegiate and high school volleyball teams that maintain a year-long team GPA of 3.3 or higher.
Head coach Julie Kvols has submitted the team’s academic information each year as an AVCA member to ensure their student-athletes have the opportunity to be recognized for their hard work off the court.
For Coach Kvols, the award carries a deeper significance. She was inspired to begin submitting her team for this honor early in her coaching career, thanks to the influence of longtime Wisner volleyball coach Jean Groth.
“Jean sat beside me at one of my first coaching clinics and talked with me about all things volleyball,” said Kvols. “She had coached during my playing days at Laurel-Concord and became a trusted mentor when I was just starting out. Her advice and encouragement meant so much to me.”
Groth passed away suddenly in March 2019, but her legacy lives on through the AVCA award, which is now named in her honor.
“When I attended a clinic after her passing and saw so many teams receiving the Jean Groth Academic Award, I knew I wanted our girls to be a part of that,” Kvols added. “It’s an honor to receive this award in her name, and I’ll never forget the impact she had on me—and so many others—in the coaching community.”
The LCC volleyball program continues to represent academic and athletic excellence, with coach Kvols noting that the team’s strong work ethic and character are what set them apart.
“Seeing our players succeed in the classroom is just as rewarding as anything they achieve on the court,” mentioned Kvols. “They’ve truly earned this recognition.”
