LEXINGTON, KY (July 23, 2026) -- The King's College women's volleyball team continued its tradition of excellence in the classroom, earning the 2026 American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Team Academic Award as announced by the association on Thursday. The honor marks the 12th consecutive season that the Monarchs have received the national academic distinction, extending the longest active streak among MAC Freedom women's volleyball programs.
 
Under the leadership of head coach Bernie Kachinko, King's has established a culture of success both on the court and in the classroom. The Monarchs were among 1,432 collegiate and high school volleyball programs nationwide to earn the award this year after maintaining a team grade point average of at least 3.3 during the 2025-26 academic year.
 
The AVCA Team Academic Award recognizes programs that achieve a year-long GPA of 3.3 or higher on a 4.0 scale. Teams receiving the award for 10 or more consecutive years are specially highlighted by the AVCA for their sustained commitment to academic excellence.
 
"It comes as no surprise to see our sport have more than 1,400 teams earn the AVCA Team Academic Award again this season," said AVCA CEO Jaime Gordon. "We are grateful for the dedication of the coaches and players who make both classroom and on-court success the lifeblood of their programs."
 
The award reflects the continued dedication of King's student-athletes to academic achievement while balancing the demands of collegiate athletics. The Monarchs have now earned AVCA Team Academic Award recognition in every season since 2015, underscoring the program's longstanding commitment to success beyond competition.
 
The AVCA honored 1,432 programs across collegiate and high school volleyball this season. Programs receiving the award for at least 10 consecutive years were recognized for their consistency in maintaining high academic standards throughout their programs.