Lexington, KY (November 2, 2021) – 2021 marks the sixth year for the AVCA Diversity Awards (seventh year with the AVCA Minority Coaches Awards in 2015). The Diversity Development teams remains focused on the coach development and diversity initiatives of the AVCA. In 2020, issues of race relations in America, the incidences of social injustice and the grips of a global health crisis placed a needed emphasis on being intentional and mobilizing efforts that lead to substantive change for society and the volleyball community. The Team responded with the goal of turning a “moment” into a “Movement”. The AVCA Diversity Award program continues to evolve as the program surpasses 100 awardees with the announcement of the 2021 winners. The volleyball community and industry partners have come alongside and demonstrated their commitment financially to the advancement of our sport while continuing the conversations and mobilizing efforts that lead to substantive change for society and the volleyball community.

“On behalf of the Team, we are excited about engaging the 2021 Award recipients in Columbus. Bringing this newest group of recipients together with the Class of ’20 at the AVCA Convention is phenomenal,” said Nickie Sanlin, McKendree University head men’s and women’s coach and chair of the AVCA Diversity Development Team. “The generosity of the AVCA community with the Team’s ’40 Days of Giving’ campaign that wrapped up a few weeks ago along with the burgeoning partnerships and alliances with Sports Imports, Beach Nation, the NJCAA, the Big Ten Conference, the Pac-12 Conference, and several Regions of USA Volleyball are invaluable as the Team continues to engage coaches as leaders in our sport.”

For the 2021 AVCA Diversity Award program, recipients will participate in a series of educational, developmental, and relationship building experiences in conjunction with the 2021 AVCA Convention, December 15-18 (2020 AVCA Diversity Award winners have been invited to in-person programming at the 2021 AVCA Convention in Columbus, Ohio). Recipients will then be integrated into the AVCA Diversity Award winner alumni program that consists of continuing education, relationship building, and mentoring upon completion of the initial programming.

For 2021, the AVCA Convention will return to an in-person format with a virtual convention option available for those unable to be in Columbus. Educational sessions and activities will be numerous along with the Volleyball Marketplace and the AVCA Silent Auction with proceeds supporting the AVCA Diversity Awards program.

2021 AVCA Diversity Award Recipients:

Luiza Andrade, Assistant Women’s Volleyball Coach
Texas Woman’s University

Cecilia Blanchard, Women’s Volleyball Graduate Assistant
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU)

Jasmine Brown, Assistant Women’s Volleyball Coach
Denison University
[Sponsored by NCAC]

Jasmine Chambers, Women’s Volleyball Graduate Assistant
Midwestern State University

Kija Chambers, Epic Trainer/Volleyball Coach
Henry Ford Health System

Madelyn Cole, Women’s Volleyball Graduate Assistant
Providence College Candace Davenport Club Director/Owner Loyalty Volleyball Club
[Sponsored by USAV Delta Region]

Dekyra Dennis, Assistant Women’s Volleyball Coach
Hutchinson Community College
[Sponsored by NJCAA]

Kalisha Goree, Assistant Women’s Volleyball Coach
University of Akron

Chanelle Hargreaves, Assistant Club Volleyball Coach
Gainesville Juniors

Tyrell Jamison, Club Coach
Louisville Fury VBC
[Sponsored by USAV Pioneer Region]

Wil Jefferson, Assistant Women’s Volleyball Coach
Prarie View A&M University

Joseph Kelley, Graduate Assistant Coach
Fort Valley State University
[Sponsored by EIVA]

Carlisa May, Women’s Volleyball Graduate Assistant
University of Houston

Lauren Murray, Freshman Head Coach
Pike High School (IN)

Bryan Paliza, Site Director, Recruiting Coordinator & Head Coach
Sky High Volleyball Club

Sara Parson, Women’s Volleyball Graduate Assistant
University of Kentucky

MyKeia Thomas, Club Director/Owner
St. Clair County VBC
[Sponsored by USAV Gateway Region]

Celeste Walton, 16-1 Head Coach
Cobb Atlanta Volleyball
[Sponsored by USAV Southern Region]

Andria Warner, Varsity Girls Head Coach/Head Coach 14U
Walt Whitman HS (MD)/MVSA VBC
[Sponsored by USAV Chesapeake Region]

Kynette Williams, Director
Phoenix Rising Volleyball Club TN/GA Phoenix Rising VBC
[Sponsored by USAV Southern Region]