The BIC is the official AVCA newsletter for men and boys volleyball. If there is a specific topic or news you would like shared in a future issue, please contact Brad Wilson at bradley.wilson@avca.org.
Gold Medal Squared Tip
Initial Ability vs Final Ability By John Kessel
In this weeks video presented by Gold Medal Squared, John Kessel talks about initial vs final ability in motor learning, and how hard it is to predict future abilities. Even those who work full time trying to predict talent get it wrong on a regular basis. Keep as many athletes as you can. You never know who may surprise you!
2 New NCAA DI Programs!:
Northern Kentucky University Adds Men’s Volleyball
Northern Kentucky Athletics will be expanding its sports offerings with six new programs as men’s volleyball, men’s and women’s swimming, men’s and women’s triathlon and women’s stunt will all be added to the roster. Men’s Volleyball will be set to compete in 2025-26.
University of Maryland Eastern Shore Also Adds Men’s Volleyball
Dr. Heidi M. Anderson, University of Maryland Eastern Shore’s sixteenth President, and Tara A. Owens, Vice President of Athletics and Recreation, announced today the addition of men’s volleyball to the stable of NCAA Division I teams sponsored by UMES for intercollegiate athletic competition. The official announcement was made at a press conference held on campus today.
It was announced that a $250,000 grant from First Point Volleyball Foundation was obtained to aide in the establishment of the UMES men’s volleyball program. The $250,000 will be granted over a period of three years to assist with start-up costs and to provide funding to UMES Athletics as they provide scholarship support, facility improvements and other services to men’s and women’s volleyball athletes.
New NAIA Program:
Rochester University Adds Men’s Volleyball
Rochester University Athletics is excited to announce that it will be starting a men’s volleyball program, with the team beginning official competition in the 2024-25 season. The Warriors will compete alongside 10 other WHAC teams, including affiliate members Bethel, Goshen, Mount Vernon Nazarene, and St. Mary-Woods.The program will be led by current women’s volleyball head coach Juliana Nash (Gutknecht)
MAAC Welcomes Merrimack College and Sacred Heart University as Newest Full Members
The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) announced the addition of Merrimack College and Sacred Heart University as its newest member institutions effective July 1, 2024. There is no word yet on how this will affect their affiliation in men’s volleyball. Both programs compete in the NEC along with Daemen, D’Youville, Fairleigh Dickinson, LIU, and St. Francis (PA).
Postseason Big West Men’s Volleyball Returns to Hawai’i in 2024
The Big West and the Hawai’i Tourism Authority announced an extension of their wide-ranging marketing partnership which will bring The Big West Men’s Volleyball Championship to the island in each of the next two years. The Hawaiian Islands presents the 2024 Outrigger Big West Men’s Volleyball Championship begins April 18-20, 2024.
Did we miss one? Contact bradley.wilson@avca.org and let us know. Programs are also visible on the AVCA’s map:
Beach Volleyball News
Westcliff University Wins Back-to-Back AVCA Fall Collegiate Beach National Championship
Westcliff won its 2nd AVCA Men’s Beach Championship this past weekend in Huntsville, Alabama at he AVCA Fall Collegiate Beach Championships. The men’s field included a 5 team field of Westcliff, Tusculum, Webber International, Stevenson, and Lincoln Memorial. After pool play, Westcliff entered the championship match with Lincoln Memorial. Westcliff captured the title over LMU 3-2.
Miles Evans and Chase Budinger won their first tournament as a team, winning six straight matches at the Haikou Challenge to claim a gold medal. Nearly as significant as the medal itself is the teams they beat to earn it: Tri Bourne and Chaim Schalk in the semifinals (21-15, 21-19), and Theo Brunner and Trevor Crabb in the finals (21-14, 23-21).
To join the Men’s Collegiate Beach Volleyball Alliance an active member coach of the AVCA must complete the registration information. The nominating coach serves as the official representative for all men’s collegiate beach activities at the college.
If you are interested in starting men’s collegiate beach volleyball at your college and need support please email Becca Just. We are happy to help!
Boys Volleyball News
Middleton Wins WIAA Boys Volleyball State Championship
The Middleton boys volleyball team won its first state championship in program history on Saturday. The top seeded Cardinals defeated Arrowhead 3-2 to claim the title.
It was a back-and-forth affair as Middleton won the first set 25-18, before dropping the second set 21-25. The Cardinals would respond by winning the third set 25-22. They dropped the fourth set 24-26, before soaring to a 15-6 final set win.
Middleton capped off its season by winning 15 straight matches, finishing with a record of 33-3.
The AVCA Boys Talent Showcase is a recruiting event designed to provide high school boys the opportunity to showcase their skills in front of the collegiate coaches that attend the AVCA Convention in Tampa, Florida. The cost $99 per athlete. Athletes that choose to register will participate in the talent showcase on Saturday, December 16, complete athletics metric testing, and receive insight into the collegiate recruiting process and tips to improve their visibility. Learn more and register here!See the college programs planning to attend.
The AVCA Convention is a one-stop shop for taking your program to the next level. In one 4-day trip you can learn new training concepts for your current athletes and recruit for your future! Check out some of the education specifically for men’s and boys coaches:
