LEXINGTON, KY (Nov. 3, 2022) — The American Volleyball Coaches Association’s Diversity Development Team is pleased to announce the 2022 recipients of its Diversity Awards. The coach development program, which originated in 2015, will bring 18 up-and-coming volleyball leaders to the 2022 AVCA Convention.

During this year’s event, recipients will participate in a series of educational seminars—many of which focus on professional and personal development for coaches—and take part in additional relationship-building experiences during the Convention.

“It is exciting that our award recipients will have the opportunity to join the volleyball community in Omaha this December to learn from all the great coaches and practitioners in attendance,” said Nickie Sanlin, McKendree University head men’s and women’s volleyball coach and chair of the AVCA Diversity Development Team. “We are grateful for the contributions of many generous supporters—from universities and industry partners to individual coaches—who continue to assist with our efforts to advance the sport of volleyball.”

2022 AVCA Diversity Award Recipients:

Maci Battle, Graduate Assistant Coach
Alabama A&M University
[Sponsored by Southern Region USAV]

Kayla Black, Head Women’s Volleyball Coach
Philander Smith College (AR)
[Sponsored by Anonymous Donor]

Alexis Calloway, Head Women’s Volleyball Coach
St. Mary’s College of Maryland

Julian Diaz, Boys Volleyball Head Coach
Essex County Schools of Technology (NJ)

Andre Foster, Assistant Women’s Volleyball Coach
Xavier University (OH)

Shatel Gaines, School Counselor/Assistant Volleyball Coach/Club Director
The Academies at Jonesboro High School (AR) & 870 Volleyball Club
[Sponsored by Delta Region USAV]

Brian Hogg, Boys Assistant Director/16-1 Boys Smack Head Coach/Assistant Men’s Volleyball Coach
C2 Attack Volleyball Club/Lincoln Memorial University (TN)

Ou Huang, MVP 16 Black Head Coach
Maryland Volleyball Program Club
[Sponsored by Chesapeake Region USAV]

Adrian Lynch, Physical Education Teacher/Club Director
Blessed Savior Catholic School (WI)/Reinas De La Cancha VBC
[Sponsored by Badger Region USAV]

Nicholas Monroe, Assistant Women’s Volleyball Coach
Academy of Art University (CA)

Eugene Murray, Varsity Girls Head Coach
Pike High School (IN)

Vivica Price-Spraggins, Assistant Women’s Volleyball Coach
Xavier University of Louisiana

Mariah Robinson, Girls Volleyball Varsity Head Coach/Boys JV Assistant Coach
Saint Ignatius College Prep (IL)

Keydrick Segur, Volunteer Assistant Coach
Rider University (NJ)

Jeff Thomas, Head Men’s Volleyball Coach/Strength & Conditioning Coach
Edgewood College (WI)
[Sponsored by the MIVA]

Penina Tusa, Graduate Assistant
Texas Woman’s University

Amaya Williams, Graduate Assistant
Providence College
[Sponsored by BIG EAST Conference Women’s Volleyball]

Samantha Worley, Graduate Assistant Coach/Club Director
University of West Alabama & T-Town Elite Volleyball Club
[Sponsored by Southern Region USAV]

The Diversity Award program is a key component of the AVCA Diversity Development Team’s efforts to advance the sport and continue to move forward with initiatives that lead to substantive change for society and the volleyball community. Including this year’s 18 members, the total number of coaches who have received this honor is 131.

The 2022 AVCA Convention, to be held in December 14–17, will feature over 150 educational sessions, a Volleyball Marketplace, and activities such as a silent auction that raises funds for the AVCA Diversity Awards program.