The American Volleyball Coaches Association is happy to announce the results of its 2024 Board of Directors election. This was a big year, as there were seven seats on the ballot, and those elected include:
- Jen Flynn Oldenburg of Ohio State University, President-Elect
- Donan Cruz of Ball State University, National Collegiate (DI/II) Men’s Representative
- Leigh Barea of the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, NCAA Division II Women’s Representative
- Kyle Exline of North Central College (IL), NCAA Division III Men’s Representative
- Beth Van Fleet of Georgia State University, Beach Volleyball Representative
- Renee Saunders of Skutt Catholic High School (NE), High School/Interscholastic Representative
- Meredith Rice of Academy Volleyball Cleveland, Club Representative
Except for Van Fleet, who begins her second three-year term on the Board, the other six electees are starting their first terms.
In addition to the elected representatives, Charita Stubbs of the University of Arizona joins the Board as its Diversity Development Representative. This is an appointed position.
Oldenburg took over as the Ohio State women’s volleyball coach in 2020. She led the Buckeyes to a Sweet 16 appearance in the fall of 2021, and her 2022 team advanced to the Elite Eight.
Cruz enjoyed an impressive first season as the head men’s coach at Ball State in 2022, taking the Cardinals to the NCAA Tournament and earning AVCA Coach of the Year honors for the fifth time.
Barea is in her seventh season as Wisconsin-Parkside’s head coach. Last year her team set a record for wins, beat a ranked team for the first time, and hosted an NCAA Tournament match for the first time.
Exline became the first men’s volleyball head coach at North Central in 2014, and he has helped the Cardinals become a national power, including making the finals of the 2022 Division III Championship.
A former pro beach player and Georgia State student-athlete, Van Fleet has led her alma mater to the NCAA Beach Championship five times. Her teams have posted nine-consecutive, 20-win seasons.
Saunders followed up her career as a two-sport athlete at Nebraska by becoming a decorated volleyball coach at Skutt Catholic H.S. Her teams have won a record nine-straight Nebraska Class B state titles.
Rice joined Academy Volleyball Cleveland in 2013. She has had worked with dozens of players who earned NCAA scholarships and helped the club’s teams achieve unprecedented levels of success.
Stubbs’ name is synonymous with Arizona volleyball. She played for the Wildcats from 1992–94, served as an assistant coach for a dozen years, and became the school’s head coach in 2023.
Effective Jan. 1, 2025, these eight coaches become part of the AVCA Board, which includes a blend of elected representatives and appointed members.
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About the American Volleyball Coaches Association
The association’s mission is to advance the sport of volleyball with AVCA coaches at the epicenter of leadership, advocacy, and professional development. The membership includes more than 10,000 collegiate, professional, high school, club, and youth volleyball coaches—primarily in the United States. The AVCA represents women’s volleyball, men’s volleyball, and beach volleyball coaches, and works to increase exposure and recognition for the sport of volleyball.
