Title IX Victory – SFA Beach returns; pro leagues updates
At The Net – August 6, 2025
Professional Volleyball
Pro Volleyball Federation (PVF) and Major League Volleyball (MLV) have announced plans for a single, united league poised to elevate professional women’s volleyball in the United States. MLV will feature the following team lineup for 2026 – Atlanta, Columbus, Dallas, Grand Rapids, Indianapolis, Omaha, Orlando and San Diego. In 2027, the league is slated to add teams in Washington DC and Northern California. Read more.
Kirsten Bernthal Booth joins LOVB Nebraska as President of Business Operations
New ownership group for Nebraska team
Collegiate Volleyball
Stephen F. Austin’s women’s beach volleyball team will return for the 2025–26 season after a federal judge granted an injunction in a major Title IX case. The team – cut just months after its most successful season in school history -fought back through a lawsuit led by six athletes. The school plans to appeal.
AVCA Polls
Daniel and Mick kick off their 5th season covering NCAA Women’s Volleyball by revealing the AVCA Taraflex Preseason Top 25, voted by the coaches. Watch here, and tune in every Tuesday for new episodes of Six Rotations!
Volleyball Media
Three-time AVCA Coach of the Year Mary Wise is joining ESPN as a women’s college volleyball analyst following her legendary career at the University of Florida. Wise will bring her insight to ESPN’s studio coverage beginning with the season-opening AVCA First Serve on Sunday, Aug. 24 – Florida vs. Pittsburgh (1 pm) and Stanford vs. Nebraska (3:30 pm).
Jordan Larson and Lexi Rodriguez Selected as ‘Take Back Sports’ ESPN Ambassadors, a new youth sports initiative. Each ambassador discusses critical issues in youth sports, including the importance of community rec leagues, quality coaching, multisport play, and having fun.
AVCA Events
Limited additional tickets are available for AVCA First Serve at the Sanford Sports Complex in Sioux Falls! The matches, which will take place Aug. 25, include a doubleheader of Kansas vs. Penn State and Minnesota vs. Texas A&M.
Save the date: AVCA Convention is December 17–21, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri. Join us for volleyball, education, networking, and fun. Registration & hotel room blocks will open next week on August 13!
Nominate for the 2025 AVCA Phenom Watch List and AVCA All-America Watch List! The Phenom Watch List is open to (girls) underclassmen in the Fall of 2025, (players with a 2027, 2028, or 2029 high school grad year). The AVCA All-America Watch List is open to Seniors in the Fall of 2025 (players with a 2026 high school grad year).
2025 USMC/AVCA Battles Won Award The AVCA and US Marine Corps are looking to recognize a volleyball coach and athlete who overcame a significant obstacle during the past year. The selected winners will be provided round trip travel to the AVCA Convention this December in Kansas City, MO to be recognized at the event. Nominations are due Friday, August 15.
Upcoming AVCA Webinars – Register Today! All webinars are free to AVCA members who register in advance. Can’t make it to the live session? No worries! Webinars are recorded, so you can access them at your convenience.
Mastering the Rhythm: Setter Decision Making in Your Offense & Connecting with Your Athletes
The First 25 Minutes of Practice
Building A Practice Matrix: “Take” Time to Have Time
Emergency Action Preparedness – Life Saving Skills for Volleyball Coaches
Partner Highlights
Tournament Registration IS OPEN! We’ve made a few updates this season! Did you know:
JVA/AAU Chi-Town Boys’ Challenge is our premier boys’ event once again! Over 700 teams from California to Florida are coming back to Chicago to battle it out this November!
JVA/AAU Snowball Slam is featuring the top clubs up and down the East Coast! This second-year event is likely to sell out soon, so register now! Limited spaces available!
JVA Rock ‘N Rumble has changes! Register before it’s too late! Weekend I: 12U-14U Girls & Boys playing in one gym. Weekend II: 15U-18U Girls over a competitive three-day weekend.
JVA/AAU Brew City Battle is now being held over two weekends! Are you looking for JVA MKE Jamboree? Don’t worry! It’s not missing – it’s just renamed! Weekend I: 12U-14U Girls, 12U-13U Boys, and 14U-18U Classic Boys. Weekend II: 14U-18U Open & Premier Boys competing for free entry to AAU Nationals
JVA West Coast Cup is now on AES! Over the three-day Memorial weekend, this event hosts teams from California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, and Canada! Will you make it out west this year? We hear the weather is nice.
JVA & AAU have teamed up to host the Girls’ 18U National Championship in Louisville, KY this April to coincide with the JVA World Challenge! We. Can’t. Wait.
Changing Up Your Favorite Drills with Renee Saunders – Skutt Catholic High School (NE)
Pressure Serving Drills with Becky Edwards – Lancaster High School (NY)
The Team! The Team! The Team!
By: Jamy Bechler Originally Published in The Leadership Playbook
Transition Movement/Base to Defense with Genny Volpe – Rice Univ.
Leadership is Authentic, Relentless, Selfless Service to a Cause with Colonel Craig Flowers – Sideline Leadership
Hustle Pepper Drill with Christi Posey – Univ. of Missouri-Kansas City
Coaching Careers
NCAA Division III
William Peace has announced the hiring of Tim Byram as the inaugural head coach of its men’s volleyball program, which will begin competition in the 2026-27 academic year.
Lake Forest College announced the hiring of Daniel Coates as the Forester men’s volleyball program’s first head coach.
Jordan Amling is set to start the budding Lycoming College men’s volleyball program.
NAIA
Hastings College announced that Gareth Luke will be head coach of the newly added men’s volleyball program.
NJCAA
Georgia Highlands College announces the appointment of Buddy Gallemore as the first-ever head coach of the women’s volleyball program.