OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – Led by head coach Jennifer Ei, the Johnson County Community College volleyball team was honored by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) as a recipient of the AVCA Team Academic Award sponsored by INTENT. 

The award honors volleyball teams that maintain a yearlong grade point average of 3.30 on a 4.0 scale. Johnson County closed out 2024-25 with a program GPA of 3.51. They were one of just 16 teams form the National Junior College Athletics Association (NJCAA) Division II level to receive this recognition. 

The Cavaliers had nine of 14 student-athletes – nearly 65 percent of its entire roster – maintained a GPA of 3.30 or higher last year, and 13 of 14 posted a GPA 3.0 or better (93 percent). 

Sophomores Coral Netten, Mallory Pruitt and Tori Valentine and freshman Avery Ringgenberg carried a perfect 4.00 GPAs while sophomore Kenney Smalley was named College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District® At-Large Team College Division.

On the court, the Cavaliers posted a record of 30-7 finishing the regular season ranked 10t in the final NJCAA Division II Poll. They went on to capture the Region 6/District Championships and forge their way into a shot a winning another national championship, facing conference rival Cowley in the title match. JCCC would finish as the National runner-up. Valentin and freshman Carlie Martin were named to the NJCAA D-II National All-Tournament Team, and sophomore outside hitter Bella Hedke was selected NJCAA D-II All-American. 

INTENT, which is in its second year of sponsoring the prestigious award, is a game-changing, digital platform links student-athletes (along with military special ops veterans) to a powerful network of candidate-seeking employers. The tech, information and internet company guide student-athletes and service members toward professional and personal success in life after sports and service. 

Johnson County will begin its 2025 season at the season opening volleyball tournament in Rockford, Illinois, August 22-24. They return home to host Des Moines Area Community College and Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College on Friday, August 29.

AVCA Team Academic Award – NJCAA DII
Central Community College
Cowley College
East Central College
Glendale Community College
Illinois Central College
Indian River State College
Johnson County Community College
Kansas City Kansas Community College
Milwaukee Area Technical College
Monroe University
Neosho County Community College
North Platte Community College
Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College
Pensacola State College
Scottsdale Community College
Southeastern Community College