VERMILLION, S.D. -- Student-athletes at the University of South Dakota continued to thrive in the classroom during the Spring 2010 semester, posting a collective 3.157 Grade Point Average (GPA), the USD athletic department announced on Tuesday.

"These results indicate the dedication and effort of our student-athletes to thrive academically in addition to succeeding in the increased competition of Division I," USD interim director of athletics David Herbster said. "USD has outstanding faculty that work hand-in-hand with staff and our athletic academic advisors in ensuring student-athletes realize their potential in the classroom."

Nine of USD's 15 teams attained GPAs of 3.1 or higher for the spring semester, led by women's tennis at 3.400. Women's swimming and diving followed at 3.386, with women's basketball posting a 3.381 GPA. Women's soccer (3.367), softball (3.360), women's track and field (3.334), women's golf (3.254), volleyball (3.216) and men's golf (3.121).

"I'm very pleased that the student-athletes at The University of South Dakota are enjoying success in the classroom," USD Coordinator of Athletic Academic Advising Dave Lorenz said. "They have accomplished this through personal sacrifice, making good choices and setting high goals."

All USD teams had GPAs of 2.921 or higher for spring semester, and all Coyote teams have cumulative GPAs of 2.9 or higher. Ten teams have cumulative GPAs of 3.0 or higher, and as a whole, USD's student-athletes have a cumulative GPA of 3.177.

For the spring semester, 34 USD student-athletes attained a 4.0 GPA, while 198 had GPAs of 3.0 or higher. Nine student-athletes have 4.0 cumulative GPAs, while 180 have GPAs of 3.0 or higher.