The AVCA T.E.A.M. Awards—which promote Togetherness, Empowerment, Accessibility, and Mentoring—are a demonstration of the association’s commitment to the volleyball coaching profession and the sport itself.
The AVCA, in collaboration with the recently established AVCA T.E.A.M. Committee, is driven to foster a strong sense of community for coaches, deliver meaningful value, and empower them as leaders at all levels of the sport—while also supporting their growth and long-term success in their coaching careers. The committee is pleased to announce the 18 recipients of this year’s T.E.A.M. Awards.
The coach development program, which originated in 2015, will bring these volleyball leaders to the 2026 AVCA Convention in San Antonio, Texas. At the 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.
“Each year, the AVCA T.E.A.M. Awards selection process is guided by careful review, thoughtful discussion, and a commitment to recognizing coaches whose leadership and potential embody the spirit of Togetherness, Empowerment, Accessibility, and Mentoring,” said Josh Walker, AVCA T.E.A.M. Committee Vice Chair & Selection Subcommittee Chair. “On behalf of the Selection Subcommittee, I want to thank AVCA T.E.A.M. Committee Chair and AVCA Board Member Charita Stubbs for her vision, leadership, and active participation with the subcommittee helping ensure this signature program continues to create meaningful opportunities for coaches across our profession. We are proud to recognize the outstanding 2026 T.E.A.M. Award recipients and look forward to supporting their continued growth and impact within the volleyball community.”
Starting Nov. 1, 2026, the AVCA T.E.A.M. Committee will be accepting applications for the 2027 AVCA T.E.A.M. Awards through October 4, 2027, at 5pm ET. For more information, or to inquire about a donation in support of the AVCA T.E.A.M. Committee, please contact staff liaison Kennedy Wells at 866-544-2822 or DONATE here. Select a fund; choose “AVCA T.E.A.M. Committee/AVCA T.E.A.M. Awards – Togetherness, Empowerment, Accessibility, and Mentoring.”
2026 AVCA T.E.A.M. Award Recipients
Denise Andersen
Hill Country Flow Volleyball Club
Head Coach
Milexa Cardona
Princeton University
Assistant Coach
[Sponsored by The Ivy League]
Greg Faulkner
Cal State University, Northridge
Assistant Coach
Jenna Giambi
California State University, Long Beach State
Assistant Coach
Rachel Kass
Brown Deer High School
Head Boys Volleyball Coach
Gabriela Langi
New Mexico Military Institute
Assistant Coach
Alexandre Leite
Tulane University
Volunteer Assistant Coach
Joe Lim
Juniors Volleyball Club
Illinois Juniors Boys Director
[Sponsored by JVA]
Melody Mandelbaum
Fresno Pacific University
Assistant Coach/Recruiting Coordinator
Nyjha Marcelin
Phoenix College
Assistant Coach
Lorin McNeil
Texas Woman’s University
Assistant Coach
Courtney Owyang
Lackas VBC/Ohlone College
Dir. of Girls Program/Head Women’s Volleyball Coach
[Sponsored by JVA]
Alicia Roberts
Mercer University
Assistant Coach
Diana Rodriguez
Chowan University
Graduate Assistant
Kaitlyn Scroggins
Virginia State University
Head Women’s Volleyball Coach
MaKinzie Taplin
Texas Woman’s University
Graduate Assistant
Maurice Torres
University of California, Riverside
Assistant Coach/Recruiting Contact
Denis Zhukov
MDC Volley
Head Coach
[Sponsored by Columbia Empire Region of USAV]
The AVCA T.E.A.M. Committee seeks to elevate the sport through the AVCA T.E.A.M. Awards Program by embracing the power of recognition and the transformational effect of professional and personal development programming. This is in step with its overall mission of focusing on open, meaningful dialogue and action aimed at eliminating barriers to advancement in the volleyball coaching profession and to participation in the sport of volleyball.
This year’s AVCA Convention, to be held Dec. 16–20 in San Antonio, will feature over 120 educational sessions, a volleyball marketplace, and activities such as a silent auction that raises funds for the AVCA T.E.A.M Awards program.
