Aug. 8, 2005

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Hardin-Simmons was one of just 274 teams in the nation that includes high schools and all levels of college play in both male and female volleyball to earn the American Volleyball Coaches Association Game Plan Team Academic Award for the 2004-05 season.

The Cowgirls were one of only two teams (along with Southwestern University) from the Texas collegiate ranks to earn the honor. It is the first time HSU has won the award. To be eligible for the award the team has to produce a grade point average of 3.30 or better.

Recipients of the award range from NCAA Division I institutions to high school girls' and boys' teams. The college ranks produced 148 programs that met the requirements for the award. NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) Division I schools earned the mark at 45 schools and fell two short of the overall record of 47 Division I schools receiving the distinction in 2001-2002. NCAA Division II (26) and NCAA Division III (43) charted the second highest numbers in program history.

"The Game Plan/AVCA Team Academic Award embodies the true meaning of the student-athlete concept, and the AVCA is honored to recognize these schools for excellence in the classroom," Katherine McConnell, AVCA executive director said. "We congratulate the student-athletes, as well as the coaches and school administrations, for maintaining balance between academics and athletics."

"This award is big for our program," said HSU head coach Hugh Hernesman. "We are obviously trying to build a winner on the court, but producing in the classroom is of greater importance."