BURNABY, BC – The Simon Fraser University volleyball team has been honoured as the President's Academic Team of the Year after it compiled a 3.36 cumulative grade point average during the 2020 fall and 2021 spring semesters.
 
An incredible 11 of 16 student-athletes on the volleyball team maintained GPAs over 3.00, which is considered a B average, during the pandemic.
 
Captain Bianca Te led the way with a 4.21 GPA, an A+. Others with GPA's over 3.00 were: Tyra Anderson (3.38), Kalissa Beltran (3.32), Brooke Dexter (3.93), Kalyn Hartmann (3.65), Miriam Jauhiainen (3.69), Farnaaz Johal (3.11), Hanna Kolof (3.83), Kohl Peters (3.88), Julia Tays (3.36), and Camryn Vosloh (3.24)
 
"This award is a reflection of the hard work and dedication by our athletes in what was a very difficult year of online learning and dealing with a pandemic," said head coach Gina Schmidt. "I think it also speaks to our team culture where everyone is striving to do their best both on the court and in the classroom."
 
Schmidt was quick to credit the support services student-athletes receive. "We are very grateful for the excellent support that academic advisors Lindsey (Butterworth), Brittany (Day) and the rest of our Academic Services staff provide on a daily basis," said Schmidt. "From academic advising and course planning to organizing the free tutoring program, our academic coordinators play a vital role in our athletes' classroom success."
 
As part of the academic support services, SFU developed the Learning Coach program where older athletes mentor new athletes to ensure they are making a smooth transition to university life.
 
"Academics are a cornerstone of what it means to be a student-athlete here at Simon Fraser," said Senior Director of Athletics and Recreation Theresa Hanson. "It is especially important when our students are attending the top comprehensive academic university in Canada."

Volleyball won the prestigious Academic Team of the Year award in a close race with Women's Cross Country (3.34 CGPA), Women's Swimming and Diving (3.29) and Women's Track and Field (3.29).
 
The volleyball team has not played a competitive game since completing the 2019 season due to the global pandemic.