LEXINGTON, Ky. — The Portland State volleyball team opens practices for its 2026 season in 11 days. The Vikings will head into their new season off the momentum of one final award for their last one as they received AVCA Team Academic honors Thursday.
 
The Vikings received the honor for a fifth straight year, finishing with a team GPA of 3.54 for the 2025-26 school year. The 3.54 GPA – well clear of the 3.30 minimum required for the award – marks the team's second straight year over a 3.5. The Vikings set a program record with a 3.67 GPA last season.
 
The team recorded at least a 3.5 GPA over all three terms during the year, topping out at 3.56 during spring term.
 
Additionally, the Vikings set a program record with four Academic All-District honorees between Reese Biesemeyer, Ava Blascziek, Tyra Schaub and Paige Stepaniuk. Those four also joined Alivia Eikenberg, Cali-Jo Shigemasa, Sydney Stenson, Jessica Truong, Amber Walker and Willow Watson in earning Academic All-Big Sky honors, tying a program record with 10 honorees in a single year.