St. Bonifacius, MN — The Polars volleyball team continues to demonstrate a strong commitment to academic excellence, earning the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Team Academic Award.  

Coach Blattner enters her third year at the helm of the Polars volleyball program, continuing to prioritize academic excellence alongside athletic achievement. Under her leadership, the team has achieved impressive academic success, recording team GPAs of 3.42 and 3.51 in her first two seasons. 

This national honor recognizes volleyball programs across the country that demonstrate a strong commitment to academic excellence. A total of 1,450 collegiate and high school teams earned the 2025 AVCA Team Academic Award by maintaining a year-long grade point average of at least 3.3 on a 4.0 scale (or 4.1 on a 5.0 scale). 

This recognition reflects the team's dedication not only to success on the court but also to maintaining high academic standards. The Polars have fully embraced the institution's emphasis on academic achievement, consistently leading the athletic department with one of the highest team grade point averages. Their efforts set a powerful example of what it means to be true student-athletes—excelling in both their sport and their studies. 

The AVCA is dedicated to advancing the sport of volleyball by supporting coaches through leadership, advocacy, and professional development. With a membership of over 10,000 coaches from collegiate, professional, high school, club, and youth programs—primarily across the United States—the AVCA serves as the leading voice for indoor and beach volleyball. The organization is committed to growing the game and recognizing outstanding achievements within the sport.