During the off-season, the Idaho women’s volleyball team was recognized by the American Volleyball Coaches Association for their excellence in the classroom. This is the sixth year the team has been recognized.
Idaho was among 132 NCAA Division I teams to receive the Team Academic Award. A team must maintain at least a 3.30 GPA.
Other Big Sky Conference teams earned award, including in-state competitor Idaho State.
The Vandals began fall camp on Aug. 9.
In her 17th season as head coach, Debbie Buchanan said she likes where the team is at during fall camp but still has yet to see how the team will handle certain gameplays.
“We can see people do things in individual drills,” Buchanan said. “Until they get in and have to make that block move, make the transition move, get ready to hit, stay in system—that’s really what we need to see right now and what players can handle that. That 6-on-6 time is important and we do need that, especially for our middles to keep going hard.”
The Vandals have also announced the addition of Grant Schoenlein as volunteer assistant Aug. 11. Schoenlein previously spent time coaching the U16 Club Moscow Volleyball the last two seasons.
Buchanan said the addition of Schoenlein couldn’t come at a great time.
“Grant is a great addition,” Buchanan said. “He just finished school at Washington State and has a very strong volleyball background. He will be able to help us out as in different areas. He wants to continue to learn as he begins his coaching career.”
Idaho were selected to finish sixth with 68 points Monday in preseason polls.
Northern Arizona, the defending Big Sky champions, lead the polls with 119 points including nine first-place votes.
Conference coaches award points and cannot vote for their own team.
Buchanan said the loss of key players resulted to Idaho’s rankings but sees it as motivation booster.
“I think it is a good spot for us. I think it will give our team a lot of motivation,” Buchanan said. “They definitely want to finish higher than that. Hopefully the can see that (the vote) every day and come out to practice and focus on the right things to get to the conference tournament.”
Idaho’s first conference game is Sept. 22 against Montana State in Bozeman.