Kansas State volleyball continues to prove its success extends far beyond the court. The Wildcats have once again been recognized for their outstanding academic performance, earning the prestigious American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Team Academic Award for the 2025-26 school year.
The honor, announced Thursday by the AVCA, marks the 23rd time in program history that K-State has received the award, further cementing the Wildcats as one of the nation’s premier programs when it comes to balancing athletic success with excellence in the classroom.
Wildcats Reach Another Academic Milestone
The AVCA Team Academic Award is presented annually to volleyball programs that achieve a cumulative team grade-point average of at least 3.30 throughout the academic year.
K-State comfortably surpassed that benchmark by finishing the 2025-26 academic year with an impressive 3.37 team GPA.
The recognition also represents the third AVCA Team Academic Award under head coach Jason Mansfield, highlighting the culture of academic accountability that has continued to flourish since his arrival in Manhattan.
Among the Nation’s Elite
The latest award places Kansas State in exclusive company across NCAA Division I volleyball.
The Wildcats are now one of just 11 Division I programs in the country to have earned 23 or more AVCA Team Academic Awards during their history. Even more impressively, K-State stands alone as the only current Big 12 Conference program to reach that remarkable milestone.
The achievement underscores the consistency the program has maintained over decades, with student-athletes excelling both academically and athletically.
Individual Academic Honors Highlight Team Success
Several Wildcats were recognized individually for their outstanding work in the classroom.
Six players earned Academic All-Big 12 First Team honors, while five freshmen were selected to the Academic All-Rookie Team after strong performances in their first year as collegiate student-athletes.
Academic excellence was especially evident during the fall semester, when six members of the team achieved a perfect 4.00 GPA.
Among them was setter Emerson Van Lannen, who distinguished herself by maintaining a flawless 4.00 GPA throughout the entire academic year, an accomplishment that reflects exceptional dedication both on and off the volleyball court.
Award Recognizes Excellence Beyond Competition
Established during the 1992-93 academic year, the AVCA Team Academic Award celebrates collegiate and high school volleyball programs that demonstrate a strong commitment to academic achievement.
This year, more than 1,400 volleyball programs from colleges and high schools across the country earned the distinction, illustrating the growing emphasis on academic success within the sport.
Building on Success Heading Into 2026
The Wildcats enter the upcoming season with momentum both in the classroom and on the court.
Kansas State returns seven letterwinners from last year’s squad, which advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The postseason appearance marked the first NCAA Tournament run under Mansfield, signaling continued progress for the program.
With a strong returning core and a culture built on excellence in every aspect of student-athlete development, expectations are high for the Wildcats as they prepare for the 2026 campaign.
Meanwhile, season tickets for the upcoming season are currently available. Fans who held season tickets during the 2025 season have until July 31 to renew their seats, with ticket prices remaining unchanged. Tickets can be purchased through the K-State Athletics ticket office or the school’s official athletics website.
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