BRENTWOOD, Tenn. - It was announced this afternoon by the Ohio Valley Conference that Chattanooga was the recipient of the Team Academic Achievement Award for Beach Volleyball. This honor goes to the school in the league with the greatest percentage of players with a 3.25 GPA or higher. It is the first time in program history that the Sandy Mocs have won this award. 

"We are honored to receive the award. It's a testament to the student-athletes as they want to excel at everything they do! We want to thank Lindsey Felix and the academic department for their endless support and guidance that give our student-athletes the tools to be successful!" said Head Coach Darin Van Horn. 

For the 2025-26 school year, UTC held a 3.6012 Team GPA, which is the second best GPA in program history. Announced earlier this summer, Chattanooga had four players named Academic All-District by the College Sports Communicators while also picking up the American Volleyball Coaches Association's Team Academic Award. 

The OVC also announced the individuals who made the Commissioner's Honor Roll and earned the Academic Medal of Honor. Honor Roll members maintained a 3.25 GPA or higher, as 14 Sandy Mocs reached that mark. Academic Medal of Honor winners carried the highest GPA in their sport, with this year's GPA being a perfect 4.0. Chattanooga had five players achieve this, more than any other Beach Volleyball team in the OVC. 

Commissioner's Honor Roll (14 players)
- Jocelyn Bloedel
- Taylor Clark
- McKenna Faychak
- Sierra Garza
- Avery Grulich
- Ansley Gulledge
- Sydney Jackwin
- Julia Lawrence
- Maddie Lecik
- Madeline McCabe
- Ashli McKenny
- Jill Sandel
- Corina Vale
- Addyson Witkamp

Academic Medal of Honor (5 players)
- Taylor Clark
- Sierra Garza
- Avery Grulich
- Maddie Lecik
- Addyson Witkamp

To go along with their academic accomplishments, UTC also had a remarkable season in competition, going 24-5 on its way to a third consecutive OVC Regular Season and Tournament Championship, and a third straight trip to the NCAA Tournament. 

All 10 of Chattanooga's starters were named AVCA Top Flight and the Sandy Mocs had the OVC Player of the Year (Faychak), Pair of the Year (Faychak and Lecik), and Coaching Staff of the Year. 

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