DePaul University Athletics
DePaul Earns AVCA Team Academic Award for 19th-Straight Year
7/23/2026 11:30:00 AM | WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL, ACADEMICS
Volleyball’s academic honor streak spans nearly two decades
CHICAGO – DePaul volleyball was recognized with the AVCA Team Academic Award for the team's outstanding performance in the classroom during the 2025-26 academic year. The award is earned by maintaining a year-long team GPA of 3.3 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
DePaul has now earned the award for 19-straight years, dating back to the 2007-08 season. It's the longest active streak among BIG EAST volleyball programs, and one of just 28 programs, out of 861 nationwide honorees, to hold a streak of 19 years or longer.
"This award reflects the strength of the systems we have in place at DePaul to bring our Academic Pillar to life," said head coach Marie Zidek. "It signals that we are meeting our benchmarks by promoting a culture that balances high performance with high support. Our student-athletes are able to excel on the court while keeping the 'student' in 'student-athlete' alive in the classroom."
The streak reflects the academic culture fostered by Zidek and her staff, built on discipline, preparation and respect for the classroom. Academic integrity remains central to the program, and each season the team strives to meet the 3.3 GPA benchmark while competing for BIG EAST Academic Champion honors.
"This achievement is no accident," Zidek said. "It is the result of an entire ecosystem functioning together: an integrated, high-functioning athletics department operating within a real-world university environment supported by professors and staff that pour into our student-athletes just as much as the coaches do."
The full list of honorees and the AVCA's official announcement are available here.
About the American Volleyball Coaches Association The association's mission is to advance the sport of volleyball with AVCA coaches at the epicenter of leadership, advocacy, and professional development. The membership includes more than 10,000 collegiate, professional, high school, club, and youth volleyball coaches—primarily in the United States. The AVCA represents women's volleyball, men's volleyball, and beach volleyball coaches, and works to increase exposure and recognition for the sport of volleyball.
FOLLOW THE BLUE DEMONS
Stay up to date with all things DePaul Volleyball at DePaulBlueDemons.com. For real-time updates, follow the Blue Demons on X, Instagram, and Facebook, or sign up for email updates and text alerts.
2026 VOLLEYBALL SEASON TICKET DEPOSITS
Season Ticket Memberships are now live for the 2026 DePaul Volleyball season! Season ticket memberships include access to all 15 anticipated regular season matches at McGrath-Phillips Arena in Lincoln Park, plus an opportunity to purchase tickets for the Wintrust Arena match against Nebraska. Season tickets are available beginning at $79 for general admission and $129 for courtside seating! Want to bring your team to the match? Group Ticket Deposits are also available for parties of 10 or more. Single game tickets will go on sale this Summer.
Visit https://depaulbluedemons.evenue.net/list/VB to reserve your seats today.
DePaul has now earned the award for 19-straight years, dating back to the 2007-08 season. It's the longest active streak among BIG EAST volleyball programs, and one of just 28 programs, out of 861 nationwide honorees, to hold a streak of 19 years or longer.
"This award reflects the strength of the systems we have in place at DePaul to bring our Academic Pillar to life," said head coach Marie Zidek. "It signals that we are meeting our benchmarks by promoting a culture that balances high performance with high support. Our student-athletes are able to excel on the court while keeping the 'student' in 'student-athlete' alive in the classroom."
The streak reflects the academic culture fostered by Zidek and her staff, built on discipline, preparation and respect for the classroom. Academic integrity remains central to the program, and each season the team strives to meet the 3.3 GPA benchmark while competing for BIG EAST Academic Champion honors.
"This achievement is no accident," Zidek said. "It is the result of an entire ecosystem functioning together: an integrated, high-functioning athletics department operating within a real-world university environment supported by professors and staff that pour into our student-athletes just as much as the coaches do."
The full list of honorees and the AVCA's official announcement are available here.
About the American Volleyball Coaches Association The association's mission is to advance the sport of volleyball with AVCA coaches at the epicenter of leadership, advocacy, and professional development. The membership includes more than 10,000 collegiate, professional, high school, club, and youth volleyball coaches—primarily in the United States. The AVCA represents women's volleyball, men's volleyball, and beach volleyball coaches, and works to increase exposure and recognition for the sport of volleyball.
FOLLOW THE BLUE DEMONS
Stay up to date with all things DePaul Volleyball at DePaulBlueDemons.com. For real-time updates, follow the Blue Demons on X, Instagram, and Facebook, or sign up for email updates and text alerts.
2026 VOLLEYBALL SEASON TICKET DEPOSITS
Season Ticket Memberships are now live for the 2026 DePaul Volleyball season! Season ticket memberships include access to all 15 anticipated regular season matches at McGrath-Phillips Arena in Lincoln Park, plus an opportunity to purchase tickets for the Wintrust Arena match against Nebraska. Season tickets are available beginning at $79 for general admission and $129 for courtside seating! Want to bring your team to the match? Group Ticket Deposits are also available for parties of 10 or more. Single game tickets will go on sale this Summer.
Visit https://depaulbluedemons.evenue.net/list/VB to reserve your seats today.
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