Aug. 17, 2011
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By Sarah Tarasewicz
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - Members of the UCF volleyball team spent the summer not only preparing physically for the 2011 season, but they also used the summer to sharpen their minds and advance farther toward their degrees, doing both in an impressive fashion. As a team, the Knights finished the summer with a 3.624 cumulative GPA and had four student-athletes earn a 4.0 GPA for the term.
"It's clear that our commitment to academic excellence doesn't take a summer vacation," head coach Todd Dagenais said. "This makes several semesters in a row of a 3.5 or better. If that commitment spills onto the court the way the coaches feel it can, we will be a formidable team outside the classroom too."
Senior Rachel Vukson (Oakville, Ont.), junior Tory McCutcheon (Milton, Ont.), sophomore Nichole Riedel (Denver, Colo.) and freshman Ashley Gialenios (Johns Creek, Ga.) each earned a perfect 4.0 GPA while taking at least five credits over the break, while four additional players posted a 3.5 GPA or better.
UCF has received numerous awards recently for its dedication to excellence in the classroom, including the AVCA Team Academic Award this summer and the UCF Top Team GPA Award last spring at the annual Black & Gold Gala.
As for its hard work in the gym over the summer break, the squad looks to showcase its talents tonight during the Black and Gold Scrimmage at 4 p.m. The event will take place at The Venue at UCF, with free admission and free parking in garage F.
The Knights open the 2011 season Aug. 26-27 when they host the Courtyard by Marriott/UCF Classic at The Venue at UCF. During the event, UCF will take on South Alabama, Michigan State and North Florida.
Season tickets are available now for only $30, which includes 18 regular-season matches at The Venue at UCF and admission to three home tournaments. Also available for purchase this season is the UCF Gold Pass. For $75, the Gold Pass grants the avid Knights fan admission to all home volleyball, men's soccer, women's soccer, softball and track & field events.