The 2016 Emory volleyball program has been recognized by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) for its performance in the classroom by being named a recipient of that organization's Team Academic Award.

The award, which was initiated in the 1992-93 academic year, honors teams that displayed excellence in the classroom during the school year by maintaining at least a 3.30 cumulative team grade-point average on a 4.0 scale. The Eagles closed out the year with a team GPA of 3.40.

Under the direction of head coach Jenny McDowell, Emory chalked up an overall record of 33-6 and advanced to the NCAA D-III Tournament for the 21^st straight season, where it advanced to the quarterfinals.  The Eagles captured the University Athletic Association title and ended the season ranked No. 2 nationally.

A key role in helping Emory earn the AVCA honor was seeing a league-high 11 representatives on the UAA All-Academic Team including Sarah Maher who received a Fall NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship.

A total of 485 programs hailing from the three divisions of the NCAA, the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics and the National Junior College Athletic Association were represented on the All-Academic Team.  There were 150 D-III teams who made their way on the list.