The University of Minnesota Duluth volleyball team earned the 2026 American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Team Academic Award for maintaining a year-long grade-point average of at least 3.3 on a 4.0 scale. The Bulldogs have now earned the honor 11-consecutive years and are one of just 188 women's collegiate teams to have a streak of 10 or more years.  

Overall 1,432 collegiate and high school volleyball teams earned the distinction from the AVCA this year. 

UMD will open the 2026 season Aug. 27-29 at the Up North Preseason Tournament in Marquette, Mich. It will face Michigan Tech, host Northern Michigan, Cal State East Bay and Tiffin University.