RBC Volleyball Receives Top Academic Award

For Immediate Release: August 15, 2024

Contact: Jesse Vaughan, Chief Communications & Marketing Officer/jvaughan@rbc.edu

The Richard Bland College of William & Mary (RBC) women’s indoor and beach volleyball teams recently received the prestigious American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Team Academic Award. The distinction recognizes high school and college volleyball teams across the country that have at least a 3.3 GPA on a 4.0 scale (or 4.1 on a 5.0 scale) for the entire academic year.

“The Richard Bland College women’s volleyball teams have brought great acclaim to the college,” RBC President Debbie L. Sydow, Ph.D. said. “This powerhouse program led by Head Coach Stephanie Champine consistently demonstrates high performance standards and an unwavering commitment to excellence, both on and off the court.”

The Lady Statesmen won the indoor NJCAA (National Junior College Athletic Association) Division II National Championship in 2022 and were 2024 National Runner-Ups in beach volleyball. The teams have produced multiple All-Americans as well. During the 2023-24 season alone, there were five—Leilani Goggin, Alexis Scipione, Phoebe Heath, Sarah Heath and Peyton Ostenson.

Champine—who coaches alongside her husband, Assistant Head Coach Shaun Dryden—was named the AVCA Two-Year College Northeast Region Coach of the Year in 2022.

“I’m very proud of this team for earning the AVCA Team Academic Award,” Champine said. “It is a reflection of our team’s commitment to excellence.”

For the full listing of the 2024 AVCA Team Academic awardees, click here.