Lexington, KY - The Allen University women's volleyball program continues to raise the bar—and this time, the victory came off the court.
The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA), in partnership with INTENT, has officially recognized Allen University Volleyball with the 2024–25 AVCA Team Academic Award, honoring programs that maintain a year-long team GPA of 3.3 or higher. Allen not only met the standard but made program history with seven individual honorees, highlighting the team's growing culture of academic excellence.
The student-athletes earning this prestigious distinction are:
• Maliyah Spencer, Senior
• Zyara Harrision, Senior
• Aiyala Williams, Sophomore
• Amaya Bernardo, Junior
• Helena Inman, Junior
• Tahmiah Lawson, Junior
• Shelly Terry *(non-returner)
The award, which spans all levels of collegiate and high school competition, is designed to spotlight the programs that demonstrate a deep commitment to academic success. This year, a record 1,450 teams nationwide were recognized by the AVCA—Allen's inclusion among them reflects the strides the program is making both in competition and in the classroom.
A Standard Beyond the Court
For Head Coach Danielle Robinson, academic performance is not just a goal—it's part of the identity of Allen Volleyball.
"Academics are very important in our program," said Coach Robinson. "I'm very proud of these student-athletes for not only what they do on the court but in the classroom as well. I look forward to seeing continued success from our student-athletes this upcoming year as we continue to put academics first at Allen University."
The historic number of recipients marks a new chapter for the program under Coach Robinson's leadership, and reflects the dedication of both players and staff to building well-rounded excellence.
Bright Future Ahead
As the Yellow Jackets prepare for the upcoming 2025 season, they do so with a powerful combination of athletic skill, academic focus, and program-wide accountability. With momentum continuing to build on all fronts, Allen University Volleyball isn't just aiming to compete—they're setting a new standard.
For continued coverage of Allen University Athletics, visit www.auyellowjackets.com.
