Ravens open 2010 season on Sept. 4

AVCA Team Academic Award Release
List of All Schools Honored

RINDGE, N.H. (July 22, 2010) – The Franklin Pierce University volleyball team has been named as a recipient of the American Volleyball Coaches Association Team Academic Award for the 2009-10 academic year, as announced Monday by the AVCA.

To be eligible for selection, a team must maintain a 3.30 grade-point average. In all, 450 teams earned the accolade throughout the collegiate and high school ranks. Franklin Pierce is one of 55 NCAA Division II women's programs to earn the distinction. The Ravens are also one of just three Northeast-10 Conference volleyball programs to collect the honor, as they are joined by Adelphi and Southern Connecticut State.

"It is important to me for our student-athletes to excel both in the classroom and on the court," said Franklin Pierce Head Coach Stephanie Dragan. "We are as dedicated to our academics as we are to volleyball and I am proud our team was able achieve this success."

The AVCA touts its Team Academic Award as one of the organization's fastest-growing awards programs. The program, which began in 1992-93 has grown 79% over the previous three years and has seen a jump of over 300% in the last 10 years.

The Ravens will open their 2010 campaign on Saturday, Sept. 4 with three matches at Millersville. Franklin Pierce will square off with Felician, Bowie State and host Millersville at times to be determined.