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.

Girls Vb Participation Grows by 75,000 in 20 Years

A new report from the National Federation of High Schools (NFHS) covering the 2022-23 school year shows girls volleyball participation is at its highest number ever in NFHS reports at 470,488, a 3.6% increase (16,335) from last year. Girls volleyball participation has grown steadily since 2004, with an increase of 75,364 participants in the past 20 years since 2001.

The new report shows girls volleyball is the top high school girls team sport, a trend which has continued since 2015. The complete 2022-23 NFHS High School Athletics Participation Survey including participation data by state will be available soon on the NFHS website.

#OFFICIATIONWEEK – AVCA Girls & Women’s Volleyball Officials Appreciation Week: September 30 – October 8, 2023

September 30 – October 8, 2023, is the 3rd Annual AVCA Volleyball Officials Appreciation Week. Please show officials appreciation during one or multiple matches during this nine day period. This week is to make sure officials know they are part of the sport. As coaches, you are the leaders, parents and fans will follow your example.

Post images to social media and tag #OFFICIATIONWEEK and @AVCAVolleyball. It is highly recommended to work with the opposing/visiting team (or vice versa) and have BOTH teams make a presentation during pre-game. To make this a positive experience, please do not publish the names of officials on programs, flyers or banners. More information specific to #OFFICIATIONWEEK will be coming soon.

MaxPreps/AVCA High School Player of the Week

Each week, MaxPreps and the AVCA recognize deserving high school student-athletes who have demonstrated outstanding play on the court throughout the week of competition.

Want your athletes considered for Player of the Week? Update their stats in your free MaxPreps account by Sunday evening of each week!

2023 AVCA All-America and Phenom Watchlists Announced

• The AVCA is proud to announce its 2023 Phenom Watch List, which includes over 2,800 athletes from all 50 states. All uncommitted athletes on the Phenom Watch List will be invited to participate in the AVCA Phenom College Preparatory Program this December 14-17, 2023 in Tampa.
• 1154 top seniors were named to the AVCA High School All-America Watch List. This November, the AVCA will announce the 2023 AVCA High School All-Americans, AVCA High School All-Region Team and the third annual AVCA Best and Brightest Awards.

APPLY TODAY – 2023 AVCA Coaches 4 Coaches

Coaches 4 Coaches provides scholarships, through contributions from AVCA members, to young coaches and recent college graduates who are interested in pursuing a career in volleyball coaching & attending their first AVCA Convention. Scholarships cover registration and hotel for the 2023 AVCA Annual Convention. Applications are due October 2.

REGISTER TODAY – 2023 AVCA Convention in Tampa, Florida!

AVCA Convention early registration for our event in TAMPA, December 13-17, is open now until September 15. Register early for the BEST RATE!!

Alabama High School Volleyball Coaches Association

Georgia Volleyball Coaches Association

Greater Houston Volleyball Coaches Association

Illinois Volleyball Coaches Association

IVCA takes part in the Crimson Classic!

The Illinois Volleyball Coaches Association took part in the 2023 Mizuno Crimson Classic tournament August 25-26, at the Great Lakes Volleyball Center in Aurora, IL.

Oak Park-River Forest setter Kinsey Smith was named to the all-tournament team at the Mizuno Crimson Classic. Marist defeated Oak Park-River Forest 25-19, 25-22, in the Gold Bracket Championship.

CLICK HERE to view the Final Standings.

Kansas Volleyball Association

KSHSAA Coaching School

The Kansas High School Athletic Association (KSHSAA) hosted its 89th Annual Coaching School July 31 – August 1, at Hotel Topeka at City Center. Volleyball sessions, including a Volleyball Rules Meeting were attended by coaches from throughout the state.

Congratulations to Rock Hills Volleyball Coach Tiffany Collins who won the KCA Cornhole Boards at the coaching school!

CLICK HERE for KSHSAA volleyball weekly announcements, and good luck as competition began August 25.

Kentucky Volleyball Coaches Association

KY Alum Earns Jr. Nat’l Referee Certif.

Congratulations to Shane White, Transylvania University (KY) Class of 98′, who recently obtained his Junior National Referee certification from USA Volleyball at the 2023 Girls Junior National Championship in Chicago! The Junior National rating is the second-highest certification offered by USAV. He also officiates volleyball at the collegiate and high school levels, with National Line Judge and State Referee certifications from the Professional Association of Volleyball Officials (PAVO).

Nebraska Coaches Association – Volleyball

NSAA Supervisor of Officials Nate Neuhaus Speaks on Sportsmanship

NSAA Supervisor of Officials Nate Neuhaus recently spoke to students and parents about sportsmanship and respecting officials at West Point-Beemer High School and Oakland-Craig High School. Lots of good reminders for athletes, coaches, and fans as teams head into the 23-24 season!

Sign Up to Become an Official!

Want to stay close to the sports you love? Support students in your community? Make a meaningful difference? Then sign up to become an official! We need more volleyball officials, and you could make the perfect fit! #BecomeAnOfficial

New York Volleyball Coaches Association

100th Anniversary NYSPHSAA

On July 25th, the Association celebrated the culmination of 100 years serving its member schools across New York State. The event featured special guests and interviews to reflect on the last several decades of the Association. The NYSPHSAA history book is currently being updated and will be printed for distribution this fall.

North Carolina Volleyball Coaches Association

California Coaches Association – Volleyball

Gabrielle Cole’s life-changing decision to shift careers to coach

After 17-years immersed in corporate sales, Gabrielle Cole said, “I made a life-changing decision to shift my career path” to become Justin-Siena High School’s new volleyball head coach. “My North Star, is to empower young girls and help them evolve into unapologetically confident young women.” Cole is now using her corporate experience creating a mental skills training program to help her players unlock peak performance on and off the court.

Cole said her head coaches at Deer Valley High School in Antioch and at UC Berkeley inspired her to coach the way she does. She says her team has already kicked off with Summer Open Gym, Volleyball IQ sessions, and Skill Set Challenges. READ MORE about her path to coaching.

Indiana High School Volleyball Coaches Association

Are beach volleyball and indoor the same?

The Indiana High School Athletic Association has ruled indoor and beach volleyball should be considered the same sport under its bylaws. This contradicts both the NFHS and AVCA guidance and recent rulings on the matter in Ohio and Missouri, and prohibits high school athletes from participating in beach events during their high school season, lest they lose a year of eligibility. The beach volleyball season runs from May to November.

Massachusetts Volleyball Coaches Association

2023 MAVCA Coaches Clinic: The 30-Year Tradition Continues

The 2023 Massachusetts Volleyball Coaches Association (MAVCA) Coaches Clinic was held August 13, at The Track at New Balance (Boston, MA) with 175 registered coaches. The MAVCA Coaches Clinic has been a standing Massachusetts tradition for more than 30 years reinforcing their message, “Good coaches never stop learning and the MAVCA Coaching Clinic is your chance to learn from the top coaches in the country.” Each coach who attended received a one-year MAVCA membership.

University of Arkansas Head Coach Jason Watson who the 2022-23 season with a 285-231 (.552) record and guided his teams to eight NCAA Tournament selections was a featured presenter. Ray Lewis, Head Men’s Volleyball Coach at Merrimack College, presented “Offensive Systems in the Men’s Game: Incorporating the Middle Attack to Diversify Your Offense.” Other sessions included Rick Dunetz of the Sideout Foundation, and Break Out Sessions with Top Massachusetts High School Coaches.

Michigan Interscholastic Volleyball Coaches Association

MIVCA Rankings 2023: Weeks 1 & 2

Week 2 (08-30): No. 1 Teams

• Div. 1 – Northville
• Div. 2 – North Brand
• Div. 3 – Pewamo Westphalia
• Div. 4 – Leland

MIVCA coaches are reminded to send potential All Region/All State Players to Angie Del Morone by September 1.

MHSAA Volleyball Rules Meeting

The Michigan High School Athletic Association rules meeting for volleyball is now available online through September 14. All coaches are required to take the MHSAA rules meeting.

CLICK HERE for 2023 MHSAA Volleyball Dates to Remember

CLICK HERE for the MHSAA Rules Meeting

Minnesota Volleyball Coaches Association

Top volleyball coach back after heart scare

No warning signs came ahead of the news that John Yunker, at age 46, could be near death. Yunker went to a hospital late last December, struggling to breathe. Days later, he was in a coma and having open-heart surgery. Nine months later, we’re glad he’s back with his team, in the early days of coaching another season of Champlin Park High volleyball.

Missouri High School Volleyball Coaches Association

Rashonda Willis is the Mexico High School New Volleyball Head Coach

Mexico Lady Bulldog Volleyball announced RaShonda Willis as the new head coach. Coach Willis was a collegiate volleyball player at Blackburn College for four years. Along with playing volleyball at Blackburn College, she also played four years of basketball and one year of softball. Willis has coached volleyball for six years, most recently serving as the Lady Bulldog Assistant Coach.

New Mexico High School Coaches Association

APS Volleyball Matches Streamed this Year

Game Vision will be streaming 3,800 Albuquerque Public Schools (APS) athletic events online this year. The streams will cover almost every sport including volleyball. Subscriptions are available for parents to purchase by the season or year.

APS athletics is also moving to cashless ticket sales to improve safety. NMAA does cashless sales at their state championships along with other school districts.

Volleyball Season Preview by District

The Santa Fe New Mexican released their volleyball pre-season breakdown by District Saturday. Some things they’re counting on, like St. Michael’s and Las Vegas Robertson battling it out for District 2-3A and Class 3A supremacy. While some things may have to wait for the season to play out to see, like if Santa Fe High will contend for the District 5-5A title and if Pojoaque Valley can match its 4A semifinal appearance. Read more….

Assistant Ricardo Sanchez promoted to Demonettes Head Coach

After 5-years as assistant coach, Ricardo Sanchez took over for Josie Adams as the Santa Fe High new head volleyball coach. Coach Sanchez says the Demonettes’ 5-3 finish last season offers a glimpse of what might come this season, and feels confident as they head into this season. Sanchez maintains a close relationship with Adams and is looking to build on her legacy, including two District 5-5A titles and an appearance in the 2021 5A championship.

Coach Sanchez added the permanent addition of rising senior outside hitter Angelina Geissinger, who played end of last season after gaining her eligibility, will help Santa Fe High return to its perch of competing for the District 5-5A title and making a deep run at Class 5A State.

The New Mexico girls volleyball season is just two under weeks underway following a busy summer for the team hosting volleyball camps and open gym as they prepare for this season.

Ohio High School Volleyball Coaches Association

2023 OHSVCA Poll Voter Timeline

The last day to register to be a poll voter with your district trustee is August 31. OHSVCA membership is required.

Voters should expect a welcome email September 2-3, and voting for week 1 is September 8-10 (Friday 6pm – Sunday 8pm).

CLICK HERE for more information.

169 Awarded College Scholarships

The Ohio High School Athletic Association and its six District Athletic Boards awarded college scholarships to 169 recent high school graduates. The program, now in its 29th year, returned in 2022 after a two-year hiatus due to financial constraints.

The OHSAA Executive Director Doug Ute said, “These student-athletes represent the very best of high school athletics, and it is an honor for us to help these young leaders work toward their educational and career goals.

CLICK HERE to read the August 25, 2023, “This Week in Volleyball: Issue 2” by the OHSAA.

Wisconsin Volleyball Coaches Association

2023 WVCA Fall Coaches Clinic and Hall of Fame

The 2023 Wisconsin Volleyball Coaches Association (WVCA) Fall Clinic was held August 4-5, at the Community First Champion Center in Appleton (WI). Topics included fundraising, creating opponent scouts with your players, conditioning, building team culture through drills, passing, and “the try-outs trials.”

Presenters were collegiate coaches Amanda Berkley (Loyola-Chicago), Susie Johnson (UW-Milwaukee), Jon Ellmann (UW-Oshkosh), and Dipen Patel (UW-River Falls); high school coaches Jeff Frey (Luxemburg-Casco), Luke Herriges (Xavier), and Kat Hanson (McDonell Central); Melissa Gehring (WIAA); and Jay Messer (WVCA).

The WVCA Hall of Fame Class of 2023 shared stories at the August 5, banquet about the positive impacts made and the countless hours you have given to the sport and growing the game were a small snapshot into your careers. Inductees included Dante De La Pasqua (Whitefish Bay, Grafton, & Port Washington), Tricia Dresel (Cadott & Menomonie, past WVCA Treasurer), Dann Jacobson (Nicolet & Whitefish Bay), Dan Lynch (Burlington), and Susie Ketchum (Racine Case & Idaho State).

VALD Performance is a proud AVCA partner and leader in human measurement technologies. This partnership will bring about vital grassroots support to volleyball in the United States by combining the best in human measurement technology and the best in Volleyball coaching. Click here to view a short video and learn more.

Texas High School Coaches Association – Volleyball

AVCA Renews Partnership with the Texas High School Coaches Association

The Texas High School Coaches Association has announced a renewed partnership with the American Volleyball Coaches Association, the world’s largest, most diverse volleyball coaches association. The collaboration between the THSCA and AVCA is great for volleyball coaches and players in Texas, and the three-year contract between the two associations means that coaches will continue to benefit from the relationship.

“THSCA is thrilled to continue our affiliation with the American Volleyball Coaches Association. The AVCA has brought another level of education, service, and recognition to the volleyball coaches and players in Texas,” said Joe Martin, Executive Director of THSCA. “The mission of THSCA is to ‘Help Coaches Help Kids,’ and our partnership with the AVCA enhances our ability to serve volleyball coaches in Texas. We believe we have the best high school volleyball coaches and athletes in the nation, and our relationship with AVCA helps our coaches become involved at the state and national level and receive national recognition.”

Coaching the Mental Side of the High School Athlete

September 19, 2023, 3pm EST

Join us for an insightful and informative webinar focused on unlocking the potential of high school athletes by addressing the often overlooked, yet crucial, aspect of their mental well-being. This webinar will delve into the strategies, techniques, and approaches that coaches, parents, and athletes themselves can use to enhance mental resilience, self confidence, and concentration on and off the court.

Presenter: Kelly Naugle, Associate Professor IUPUI

Long Term Athlete Development

September 26, 2023, 3pm EST

Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD) is a sports development model that focuses on the physical, cognitive, and emotional development of athletes over a prolonged period of time. The goal of LTAD is to promote lifelong physical activity and athletic performance while reducing the risk of injury and burnout.

Presenter: Mario Raden, Coastal VA Volleyball/Tidewater Volleyball Association Strength & Conditioning Coach

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