The AFFILIATIONS newsletter is a forum for exchange and gives all AVCA high school/interscholastic member coaches an opportunity to learn what’s happening in these affiliate states.
February 29, 2024
Theme: “Celebrating Volleyball Officials and Coaches”
Coach Gordon also serves as the AHSVCA Board as Vice President and is an AVCA Victory Club 1500 wins honoree. Coach Jarrett is also the AVCA 2023 Region Coach of the Year and AVCA Victory Club 100 wins honoree.
Branham (Central Coast) High School Girls and Boys Volleyball Coach Heather Cooper is the California Coaches Association (CCA) Girls Volleyball Coach of the Year. Under Cooper, the girls team played in the NorCal playoffs for the second time in a row; and boys volleyball won a CCS championship in 2018 and played in the finals again last year. She has coached 15-16 years, and said her goal is to help her athletes be the “best version of themselves they can be.”
Coach Morgan is a 2023 AVCA Thirty Under HS Award recipient. Coach Brittain was also named as the Gwinnett County co-coach of the year for 5A. Coach Monroe, who was named Coach of the Year in 2020, currently serves as the GVCA President. Coach Sansing also received the AVCA Victory Club award in recognition of his 500th career victory.
Nine individuals involved in high school sports officiating for years were selected as the 2023 recipients of national and section awards by the NFHS Officials Association this month, including two volleyball officials.
National Active Official of the Year: Robert Csigi(New Jersey)
Section 5 Active Official of the Year: Rodney Palen’s (Beloit, KS)
What started as a college gig turned into lifelong benefits for NAIA Volleyball Official Ellen Townsend. Townsend says, “Athletes who want to stay in their sport after school often look at coaching, but they should consider officiating as an option!” Watch full video.
23 high school boys and girls coaches were selected as 2022-23 National Coaches of the Year by the NFHS Coaches Association.
NATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR – GIRLS VOLLEYBALL: Jessica Burke(Lafayette, LA) led the St. Thomas More Catholic High School girls volleyball team to its ninth state championship – and third consecutive – this past November. In 14 years Burke has compiled a 492-109 record (34-5 last year). Her best season was a 44-1 mark in 2015.
Thank you to the nearly 200 coaches who attended the Alabama High School Athletic Directors & Coaches Association (AHSADCA) Lunch & Learn: Volleyball coaches clinic on Wednesday, February 7, 2024, at Montgomery Academy(3240 Vaughn Rd., Montgomery, AL 36106)! The AVCA’s Kennedy Wells was proud to be part of the packed house at the event with the AVCA’s Signature Affiliate Partner, the Alabama High School Volleyball Coaches Association (AHSVCA). Thanks to Univ. of Alabama Head Volleyball Coach Rashinda Reed for presenting!
The Georgia Volleyball Coaches Association (GVCA) is pleased to announce early registration is open for their annual 2024 GVCA Coaches Clinic on April 27, at Allatoona High School (3300 Dallas Acworth Hwy NW, Acworth, GA).
Aquinas High School has found it new coach in Danielle Dolan. Dolan, a 2017 Aquinas graduate, played on the 2016 team and led the Blugolds with 23 assists and 12 digs in a state semifinal loss to eventual champion Howards Grove. “It’s very surreal,” She said. “It seems like I was playing here not that long ago, and now I’m coaching. It was definitely something I wanted to do. Dolan replaces former Blugolds Coach Nellie George.
The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) announced its 2023-24 Officials of the Year in 21 IHSA sports, including the two below girls and boys volleyball officials. Winners will be recognized during the 2024 IHSA Officials Conference, July 12-13, in Normal, IL.
2023-24 IHSA Official of the Year – Girls Volleyball: Sharon Walker (Stanford, IL)
2023-24 IHSA Official of the Year – Boys Volleyball: Aaron Woods (Channahon, IL)
Mike McDermott is the new head coach to the Evanston Kits girls volleyball team, and is hoping to turn the program around. McDermott served 14-years as ETHS head boys volleyball coach and has worked as assistant girls coach. He looks to focus on skills and technique to build players’ confidence, and to spark interest of kids at earlier ages for long-term program growth.
Kansas Volleyball Association
KansansRecognized for Officiating Leadership
Rodney Palen(Beloit, KS) was named the National Federation Officials Association (NFOA) Active Official Award for Section 5. 38 years as an official have seen him be involved in volleyball for 13 years as well as four other sports. Palen has served as league assigner, recruiter of new officials and is currently league commissioner for the Northern Plains League and the North Central Activities Association.
The NFHS also recognized 12 other active officials as 2023 State Officials of the Year, including Volleyball Official – Karen Thornton(Garden City, KS). These officials have made significant contributions to high school officiating as a KSHSAA registered official.
The KVCA is proud to announce that at least forty boys Kentucky volleyball teams will compete this spring. In the final year before boys volleyball becomes a KHSAA varsity sanctioned sport, a new record of at least 40 club teams will compete up from 25 in 2023. Given the amount of teams, the KVCA estimates over 800 athlete participants. Teams will begin competition on the week of March 11, and conclude at the KVCA State Tournament in mid-May. CLICK HERE to see the full list of teams that will compete this year.
Kim Kwapnioski earned the 2022-2023 National Federation of State High School Associations and Nebraska School Activities Association Volleyball Official of the Year award. Kwapnioski, a Platte County Supervisor, has been a volleyball official for 30 years at the high school level after playing the sport both in high school and in college. “It’s a huge honor to receive that award as official of the year through the NFHS and the NSAA,” Kwapnioski said. “The NSAA provides many activities for young adults and I enjoy being a part of it. I love the game of volleyball; I love the people and the schools that I work with. I’ve been able to meet a ton of people through my years of officiating and it’s just been a lot of fun” Read more.
Have you registered for the 2024 New York Volleyball Coaches Association (NYVCA) Coaches Clinic on May 17-18, at Lake George High School (381 Canada St., Lake George, NY)?
You won’t want to miss this year’s New York Volleyball Coaches Association clinic featuring educational sessions and on-court demos by University of Wisconsin Women’s Volleyball Head Coach Kelly Sheffield; Brazil’s Minas Tenis Volleyball Coach Dega da Gama, and Vassar College Men’s Volleyball Head Coach Richard Gary.
According to the North Carolina Boys Volleyball website, there are currently 97 boys volleyball teams preparing to compete as the 2024 season kicks off March 1. Boys volleyball is a club sport in North Carolina, so this list includes unaffiliated and intramural teams. Read more.
Are you ready to show off your Student Section to see which school(s) have the most FUN and create the optimal environment in support of their student athletes in the entire San Diego Section of CIF? The 2023-2024 Battle of the Fans Program is back celebrating the Excitement, School Pride, Support, and Sportsmanship modeled by Student Sections! CIF San Diego Section Schools can participate by uploading their video to YouTube. Read more.
Indiana High School Volleyball Coaches Association
The IHSAA and the Indiana Sports Corp are joining forces to host another FREE volleyball officials training and certification opportunity on Saturday, April 20, from 9 am – 1:30 pm. Read more.
After 1,041 combined wins, 30 total Western Massachusetts titles and countless high school experiences changed, Sean MacDonald of Frontier, George Mulry of Longmeadow and Kacey Schmitt of Amherst are retiring from their girls volleyball head coaching positions. The announcement includes two MAVCA Hall of Famers – Kacey and George.
Sean MacDonald, Frontier Volleyball (South Deerfield, MA)
George Mulry, Longmeadow Volleyball(Longmeadow, MA)
Kacey Schmitt, Amherst Volleyball(Amherst, MA)
Michigan Interscholastic Volleyball Coaches Association
Congratulations to Volleyball Coach Jim Pender (Mount Morris High School) on being selected as the 2023-24 Michigan High School Coaches Association representatives who have been named National Federation of High School Association State and Section #4 Coaches of the Year in volleyball for Michigan.
Laurie Glass of Leland was honored as one of eight candidates in the country for the NHSACA Coach of the Year Award. The NHSACA Coach of the Year awards are the most prestigious awards given to high school coaches in America. Selection will occur at the NHSACA Annual Convention in June.
The Kathy Holloway Women of Inspiration Award is presented annually to a female(s) that has promoted female athletics by either coaching, serving, supporting, or leading high school female athletic programs.
Four board member seats were voted on at the 2024 MiVCA Clinic. MIVCA is pleased to welcome back Jean LaClair (Bronson), Terra King (Harper Creek), Robin Kozuch (Morley Stanwood), and new member Aaron Wedge (Hudsonville-Boys).
The Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) announced a boys volleyball timeline this month including dates for the 2023-24 Emerging Status Season and 2024-25 Competitive Section Placement. This year’s season begins April 8, and concludes with the MN Boys VB Association State Tournament on June 12-13. Read more.
Missouri High School Volleyball Coaches Association
The Missouri High School Volleyball Coaches Association (MHSVCA) had its 2024 Clinic at the Lodge of the Four Seasons. The event had numerous speakers highlighting Metro State Coach, Jenny Glenn, and Mizzou Coach, Dawn Sullivan.
Miranda Mizera (Savannah High School) received a complementary 2024 AVCA Convention Certificate. Coaches reaching career milestones were recognized along with the MHSVCA Coach of the Year, HOF, Peggy Johnson, and Assistant Coach Awards.
The New Mexico Officials Association (NMOA) Hall of Fame Committee is seeking nominations/applications on behalf of individuals who have made contributions to interscholastic officiating through their leadership. Officials who have a minimum of ten (10) years of New Mexico service to officiating. A plaque commemorating this award will be presented at the Annual Meeting and Hall of Fame induction held at the NMOA State Clinic each year. Nomination deadline: June 1.
Christopher Wright, the new Belen High School Volleyball Coach, has big plans,“Our goal is to get to state and eventually win it.” This is Wright’s first job at the high school level, but he has coached nine years for the NM Cactus Volleyball Club of Albuquerque and was raised in volleyball family.
The Ohio High School Athletic Association approved a new formula this month to determine divisions offered for postseason tournaments. The change affects OHSAA General Sports Regulation 17 and results in girls volleyball having seven divisions. Division I and Division II will only include 64 schools.
Thirteen leaders in high school activity programs including Jo Auch (SD) have been selected to receive NFHS Citations, which will be presented June 30, at the annual NFHS Summer Meeting in Boston, MA.
2024 State Association Citation – Section 5: Jo Auch(South Dakota), now in her 16th year as assistant executive director for the South Dakota High School Activities Association (SDHSAA). Auch has served as a volleyball official for 25 years, and fostered a partnership to bring RefReps into 20 SD high schools to train students interested in officiating. Prior to her SDHSAA tenure, she dedicated 26 years at Menno High School as athletic director, education and volleyball coach.
The 2024 SDVBCA Coaches Clinic will be on March 22-23, at Aberdeen Central High School (2200 S. Roosevelt St., Aberdeen, SD 57401). Registration is open.
14-year veteran WI Volleyball Official Cindi Baumeister talks about how she made the transition from watching games as a parent to becoming an official. She calls the rewards of officiating personal watching the kids perform as a team and having amazing friendships with fellow refs. Become an official.
The Wisconsin Girls Volleyball State Tournament is expanding to 5 divisions due the sport’s growing popularity. There are roughly 430 high school volleyball teams for girls and 66 for boys, according to WIAA executive director. Read more.
New England Preparatory School Athletic Council – Volleyball
NEPSAC Volleyball Teams Celebrate #NGWSD
Thank you to the NEPSAC schools and girls volleyball teams who celebrating National Girls and Women in Sports Day this month.
Texas High School Coaches Association – Volleyball
The THSCA and Texas A&M University ThorntonMcFerrin Coaching Academy announced the 2024 R.O.C.K. (Rare, Outstanding, Compelled & Knowledgeable) Coaches Mentoring Program mentees on Feb. 8. The program matches a new coach with an experienced coach to gain advice, encouragement, and insights.
Kayla is the Vista Ridge High School Head Volleyball Coach, THSCA Rock Advocate/Brand Ambassador and AVCA Thirty Under 30 High School Award recipient. Watch her on The Success Chronicles.
As a part of the AVCA’s previously announced partnership expansion with Volleyball World, AVCA members can begin taking advantage of their 1-year exclusive access to VBTV’s Video on Demand (VOD) content. Click here for instructions to access your free subscription!
Not a member and want to take advantage of this amazing benefit? Join the AVCAby March 24, 2024, to be included.
AVCA Members are invited to apply to participate in the United States Marine Corps Coaches Workshop Program. If selected, we are confident that you will receive valuable tools and information to enhance your coaching and leadership skills.
High school and non-scholastic coaches are invited to register for a one-hour webinar on Wednesday, March 6, at 6pm EST, about the initial eligilibity, recruiting and coaching experience. The webinar is hosted by the NFHS and NCAA Eligibility Center.
Setters: Weighted Ball Wall Warmup with Adam Brewster (MidAmerica Nazarene University)
Leadership: What Type of Team Do You Want to Be? with Robert Grasso (La Jolla Country Day School – CA)
Developing Athletes at Practice by Adam Sarancik (Coaching Champions of Life)
Prevent AVCA newsletters, awards information, educational offerings and other updates from going to your spam folder: Fill out this form and designate mailer@infusionmail.com as a safe sender to ensure that you’re getting the most out of your membership!
