DECATUR, Miss. — The East Central Community College Lady Warrior volleyball program has been recognized for its excellence in the classroom, earning the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Team Academic Award following the 2025-26 academic year.
The AVCA Team Academic Award honors volleyball programs that maintain exceptional academic success throughout the school year. The recognition marks another milestone for East Central's first-year volleyball program, highlighting the team's commitment to excellence both on the court and in the classroom.
Head coach Patrick Hiltz said the award reflects the culture established by the student-athletes from the very beginning of the program.
"This award is the base standard for academics for our Warrior volleyball athletes," Hiltz said. "To earn this recognition in year one of the program is a testament to the expectations that the girls set for themselves in the classroom as well as on the court. I am quite proud of their efforts as well as the leadership we had on our team that set a solid standard of excellence for years to come."
Hiltz believes academic achievement is a cornerstone of the Warrior volleyball program and expects this honor to become a consistent tradition.
"We believe excellence in the classroom is a non-negotiable expectation for our student-athletes, so the AVCA Team Academic Award should prove to be a yearly honor for our crazy smart young women who represent East Central CC and the Warrior volleyball program."
The award is the latest accomplishment for a program that made an immediate impact during its inaugural season, demonstrating that success at East Central extends beyond competition. By earning national recognition for academic performance, the Lady Warriors have established a strong foundation that reflects the college's commitment to developing student-athletes who excel in every aspect of the collegiate experience.
The AVCA Team Academic Award recognizes volleyball programs across the country that achieve high academic standards while balancing the demands of collegiate athletics, celebrating teams that prioritize success in the classroom alongside athletic competition.