LEXINGTON, Ky. – For the 22nd consecutive year and 25th total year, the Nebraska Wesleyan University volleyball program has earned the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Team Academic Award. To qualify, teams must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.30 or higher. Additionally, the Prairie Wolves earned AVCA Academic Honor Roll distinction by finishing among the top 20 percent of team GPAs in NCAA Division III, a recognition awarded to just 46 programs.

NWU's 22-year streak is the second-longest in Division III, trailing only Central College's 26-year run. The award is the 25th in program history for the Prairie Wolves, ranking third among Division III institutions. Central leads all Division III programs with 27 awards, while the College of Saint Benedict ranks second with 26.

This is the fifth season the Prairie Wolves have been named to the AVCA Academic Honor Roll, previously receiving the honor in 2017, 2018, and 2019, in addition to the last two years. Nebraska Wesleyan is one of just 21 teams in the nation to be named to the AVCA Academic Honor Roll each of the last two seasons.

The Prairie Wolves posted a cumulative team GPA of 3.77 and placed 10 student-athletes on the American Rivers Conference All-Academic Team during the fall semester.

"Our student-athletes continue to set a tremendous standard for what it means to be a Prairie Wolf," said NWU head coach Rayna Cain. "Earning the AVCA Team Academic Award for the 22nd consecutive year and being recognized among the top 20 percent of Division III programs academically is a reflection of their commitment, discipline and consistency in the classroom."

"I'm incredibly proud of the work our team puts in every day to succeed both academically and athletically. We're also grateful for the support of our faculty and staff, whose investment in our student-athletes plays a major role in making achievements like this possible."

Nebraska Wesleyan opens the 2026 season with an exhibition match against North Platte Community College on Aug. 26 at Snyder Arena before beginning regular-season play Sept. 4 against Lewis & Clark and Linfield.