May 17, 2011

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Purdue volleyball team was recognized on Tuesday by the NCAA for its Academic Progress Rate (APR) for the sixth straight year. The Boilermaker squad was one of 34 Division I volleyball programs honored nationally and the only Purdue sport to be honored for its APR.

Based on the most recent multi-year APRs, 909 Division I teams earned NCAA Public Recognition Awards by the NCAA. These awards are given each year to teams scoring in the top 10 percent in each sport with their APRs. Teams receiving public recognition awards this year posted APR scores ranging from 977 to a perfect 1,000.

The APR provides a real-time view of a team's academic success by tracking the progress of each student-athlete on scholarship during the school year. By measuring eligibility, retention each semester or quarter, the APR provides a clear picture of each academic culture in each sport. A total of 239 institutions, out of 335 Division I colleges and universities, placed at least one team on the top APR list. Another 11 schools that offer athletics in more than one division, out of 52 overall within the NCAA, placed Division I teams on the list as well.

Multiyear APRs for all Division I sports teams, including the teams receiving public recognition, will be announced at a later date.

A complete list of teams recognized, broken down by sport and by school can be found at ncaa.org. The Purdue volleyball team has been among the top 10 percent in APR dating to the 2004-05 season and is one of 260 teams that have received Public Recognition Awards each of the six years of the program.

Purdue volleyball experienced success in the classroom and on the court in 2010. The Boilermakers ended a breakout 2010 season ranked 11th in the final AVCA Coaches poll after a season of firsts. The team advanced to its first NCAA Elite Eight in the 64-team era and posted its first win over a top five opponent 9vs. No. 4 Penn State, Oct. 8), followed by its first ever over a No. 1 ranked foe (Dec. 10 against Florida). The Boilermakers finished the year 24-11, including a 12-8 fourth-place finish in Big Ten play, after defeating four ranked opponents, including three listed among the Top 10. Senior setter Jaclyn Hart received third team All-America honors from the AVCA.

Senior Kristen Arthurs, a speech/language and hearing sciences major, was named to the CoSIDA Academic All-District V first team and the Academic All-Big Ten team for the third straight year. Five other players also received Academic All-Big Ten accolades. Sophomore defensive specialist Carly Cramer, redshirt freshman setter Rachel Davis, sophomore defensive specialist Courtney Gosewisch, redshirt freshman outside hitter Katie Griffin and sophomore outside hitter Ariel Turner made up the group. Student-athletes must be in at least their second academic year and carry a minimum grade-point average of 3.0 to be eligible for the honors.

The Purdue squad opens the 2011 season on August 26 when it faces off with Baylor to kick off Mortar Board Premier on Belin Court.