Lexington, KY – Millikin University Volleyball was named as one of over 1,400 high school and collegiate volleyball programs to earn the 2026 AVCA Team Academic Award, as announced by the organization late Thursday morning. 

The award is given annually to teams that maintain a 3.30 GPA throughout the academic year. The Big Blue first earned the accolade in 2019. The 2026 award is Millikin's seventh overall and second straight, as well as the program's seventh in the last eight years. The blue and white have been named to the listing by the AVCA in both seasons of Head Volleyball Coach Whitney Nichols' tenure.

"This award truly represents the hard work, dedication & countless hours of studying these impeccable young women put in daily." said Nichols. "They strive for excellence within the classroom & they continue to move mountains. I'm so proud of each & every one of them. They represent Millikin Volleyball with such high class."

Millikin joined every other member school of the CCIW in the honor, as all nine institutions made the listing to represent the conference.