AUSTIN, Texas – David Rudic and Marko Jovanovic were announced to the 2024-25 Academic All-America® Men's At-Large First Team as selected by College Sports Communicators (CSC) on Wednesday.
 
The NAIA Academic All-America® program is financially supported by the NAIA national governance structure to assist the College Sports Communicators with handling the awards fulfillment aspects for the 2024-25 NAIA Academic All-America® program. The NAIA honorees combined for a 3.82 GPA.
 
Rudic, a senior from Gornji Milanovac, Serbia, was a steady presence at setter for the Spartans in 2025, recording 1,238 assists while averaging 11.05 assists per set across 112 sets. He was selected to the NAIA All-America First Team, the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) First Team All-American, and the Heart of America Athletic Conference Setter of the Year, to go along with his 3.73 GPA as a Management major.
 
Jovanovic anchored the attack for the Spartans, tallying 406 kills over 114 sets while hitting .309. The Belgrade, Serbia, native and Cybersecurity major posted a 3.94 GPA while also earning a spot on the NAIA All-America First Team, a selection as the Heart Attacker of the Year, and a spot on the AVCA All-America Second Team.
 
Missouri Baptist University men's volleyball went 27-6 overall, claiming the Heart Regular Season Championship with a 17-2 record before qualifying for the NAIA National Tournament for the first time since 2021.
 
For more information regarding the Academic All-America® program, visit https://academicallamerica.com/.