USA Volleyball is proud to announce the appointment of Erik Sullivan as the new head coach of the U.S. Women’s National Team. Sullivan, a seasoned coach with a wealth of experience at the women’s collegiate level, succeeds Karch Kiraly, who led the team to three Olympic medals and a World Championship title.

Katie Schumacher-Cawley became the first female coach to lead her team to the Division I Women’s Volleyball Championship. In front of a noisy, championship-record crowd of 21,860 at the KFC Yum! Center, the 35-2 Nittany Lions earned the school’s eighth national title with a 3-1 win over Louisville. Recap here.

Schumacher-Cawley joins a long list of female coaches who have led their teams to collegiate volleyball titles in 2024. Of the 11 women’s champs that were crowned this fall, seven of them were coached by females.

Shenandoah University is excited to announce the addition of men’s volleyball as its 23rd intercollegiate sport. The team will begin competing in the 2025-26 academic year, following the appointment of the program’s first head coach.

Athletics News:

• The NCAA has released a new Q&A document for student-athletes concerning what is permissible in the House settlement as it relates to NIL.
• College Hoops Today: NCAA considering allowing five years of eligibility for players in all sports
• Sports Illustrated: Proposed NCAA Settlement Threatens Non-Revenue Sports: Roster Caps Jeopardize Thousands of D1 Roster Spots
• Ohio lawmakers approve NIL changes that allow universities to pay student athletes
• Yahoo Sports: Who is House in House v. NCAA settlement? Meet the man behind the lawsuit that will change college sports forever
• Wall Street Journal: A new FTC rule requires businesses to display all fees for tickets or for lodging at the time of search
• Looming Declines in High-School Grads Will Mark ‘Inflection Point’ for Higher Ed

The inaugural season of LOVB Pro kicks off with first serve TODAY, January 8 in Atlanta. Each week, all six teams will play, with matches rotating format between cities. Tickets and schedule here!

League One Volleyball (LOVB) upcoming tournaments:

LOVB Classic, February 14-16 Held in conjunction with the Triple Crown NIT in Kansas City, the LOVB Classic is a unique celebration of volleyball with junior and professional athletes competing side-by-side.

Finals of LOVB inaugural 2025 professional volleyball season will take place at the KFC YUM! Center in Louisville, Kentucky on April 10, 11 and 13.

With the highly anticipated second season about to begin, Pro Volleyball Federation (PVF) has announced the schedule of nationally broadcast matches airing on CBS and FOX Sports outlets. The action begins tomorrow, January 9, when the San Diego Mojo takes on the Orlando Valkyries in the season-opener, airing on FS2.

Pro Volleyball Federation (PVF) has announced its inaugural All-Star Match, set to take place on February 22 at Fishers Event Center. The event will showcase the league’s top talent. In a historic first for professional volleyball, CBS Television Network will air the match.

FIVB Announces Women’s World Championship 2025 Host Cities The FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship 2025 will mark the first edition of the tournament held in Thailand, with four cities in the country set to welcome matches from  August 22 to September 7.

READ MORE NEWS ON AVCA.ORG ➡️

• Reminder that as of July 2024, the AVCA has revised membership categories and dues rates for individual and organizational/institutional members. Check out the membership options for you and your staff!
• Reminder that if your membership is not renewed before the expiration date, your account will enter EXPIRED status. This includes limited access to the AVCA website and services for up to one year. Note – Expired status members may NOT nominate for AVCA awards. If you still haven’t renewed after a year in expired status, you will not receive any AVCA member benefits until you rejoin.

Need to renew or rejoin? Questions about your membership status? Login to your AVCA membership account, or contact members@avca.org 

Where to Watch This Week’s Top Matches: Stay in the know on television and streaming info for top college volleyball matches between ranked teams.

The AVCA is now accepting nominations for the 2025 AVCA Boys Watch Lists. Senior athletes will be added to AVCA Boys High School All-America Watch List. Non-senior high school athletes will be featured on the AVCA High Risers List. Please nominate all of your deserving athletes to ensure they are recognized and we bring more attention to the sport!

The AVCA was sorrowed to learn of the passing of Dr. Thomas “Buster” Mabrey, who had worked tirelessly as New Mexico High School Coaches Association and the state’s prep volleyball community. Read more.

Align ’25 Early Bird Registration Ends January 20th! Align is the premier educational summit designed specifically for junior volleyball club leaders! May 13-14, 2025 in Chicago, attendees will experience a deeper understanding of how to effectively lead and grow a junior volleyball club in today’s competitive landscape. Don’t miss this invaluable event—register with the Early Bird Special today and get ready to Align your vision, strategy, and leadership with the future of junior volleyball! REGISTER HERE

JVA Announces new Executive Director, Lisa Wielebnicki, to lead the next chapter of JVA The Junior Volleyball Association, a premier club volleyball association with nearly 1,700 members dedicated to promoting the growth of youth and junior volleyball, is pleased to announce a new Executive Director, Lisa Wielebnicki, to lead the next chapter of our association. Read full release.

USA Volleyball has appointed Steve Bishop as its new Chief Operating Officer. Bishop will oversee the organization’s day-to-day operations, driving growth, efficiency and the continued advancement of USA Volleyball’s mission to grow the sport nationwide. USA Volleyball also recently announced the hiring of Jaime Weston as Chief Commercial Officer.

Latest educational content includes:

• Defensive Drill vs. Live Attacker & BOSU Ball – Kaylee Prigge – Univ. of Wyoming

• Blocking Progression Training with Jordana Price – Tulane Univ.

• Dot Passing Drill with Melissa Wolter – Univ. of West Florida

D1.ticker interviewed several coaches from the 2024 AVCA Convention, including: Texas Associate Volleyball Head Coach Erik Sullivan [just named the new Women’s National Team Head Coach], Arizona Volleyball Head Coach Charita Stubbs, LSU Head Volleyball Coach Tonya Johnson, Oregon Head Volleyball Matt Ulmer, Creighton Head Volleyball Coach Kirsten Bernthal Booth, and Wisconsin Head Volleyball Coach Kelly Sheffield.

The latest episode of the USA Volleyball Show features Erik Sullivan in his first interview since his announcement as the new U.S. Women’s National Team head coach. Erik shares with us his coaching philosophy, what he’s learned from other head coaches he has worked with, and what expectations he has for himself and the program.

USA Volleyball

USA Volleyball announces two key additions to the U.S. Men’s National Team coaching staff: Luka Slabe and Javier Weber will join Karch Kiraly in his quest for Olympic success at the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.

High School

Legendary Montgomery Academy (AL) volleyball coach Julie Gordon retires after 46 years. Gordon holds an incredible record of 1,645 wins and just 438 losses during her tenure with the Eagles, earning eight state championships along the way.

NCAA Division I

Ray Bechard, the winningest coach in Kansas volleyball history and a five-time Big 12 Conference Coach of the Year, announced his retirement after 27 seasons at the helm.

Benavia Jenkins has been named Charlotte Volleyball’s head coach.

University of Evansville has announced the hiring of Zachary Weinberg as Head Volleyball Coach for the Purple Aces.

Matthew Cribbin has been named the next head coach of the Holy Cross volleyball program.

Former Michigan State volleyball standout Kristen Kelsay has been named head volleyball coach.

Scott Mattera has been named head coach of the Louisiana Tech volleyball team.

California Baptist University has announced the hiring of Trevor Johnson as Head Coach of women’s volleyball.

Elon has announced the hiring of Matt Troy as the next head volleyball coach.

Matt Botsford has been named UCF volleyball’s head coach.

Tarleton State has hired Jazmyne Johnson as the next head coach for Texan Volleyball.

Arielle Wilson has been named head volleyball coach at Central Michigan University.

Dave Fleming has been hired as head coach for the UNT volleyball program.

Saint Mary’s College announced the hiring of Tyler Hildebrand as the next head coach to lead the volleyball program.

University of Cincinnati announced the hire of Danijela Tomić as the Bearcats’ head volleyball coach.

UNCW has announced the hiring of Lorelle Hoyer as Head Coach of the volleyball program.

Bowling Green State has announced the promotion of Alex DelPiombo to head coach.

University of Toledo announced the hiring of Brian Wright as the Rockets’ head women’s volleyball coach.

Gonzaga announced that J.T. Wenger has been hired as head coach of the Bulldog volleyball program.

Oral Roberts University has named Nolan Albrecht as Head Coach of the volleyball program.

Southern Illinois announced that Brittany Harry has been named the women’s volleyball head coach.

NCAA Division II

Eastern New Mexico University has announced Karli Bustos as the next head volleyball coach.

Cameron University has announced Melissa Avila as the Aggies new Head Women’s Volleyball Coach.

The University of West Alabama announced the hiring of Ed Allen to be the University’s next Head Volleyball Coach.

Nebraska Kearney head volleyball coach Rick Squiers (26th season) signed a contract extension to lead the Lopers through 2028.

NCAA Division III

Medgar Evers College has hired Vaughn Ford as the institution’s head men’s volleyball coach.

Simpson College is proud to announce the hiring of Dani Kohut Lynch as the next head coach of men’s and women’s volleyball.

SUNY Polytechnic Institute is pleased to announce the hiring of Daniel Short as the new head coach of the women’s volleyball program.

Immaculata University announced the hiring of Mary Kirchner as the Head Coach of women’s volleyball.

Blake Badtke has been announced as the head coach for the Marian University men’s and women’s volleyball programs.

NAIA

Grand View University is thrilled to announce the appointment of Kandace Cook as the next Head Coach of women’s volleyball.

Briar Cliff University Athletics is proud to announce Lauren Boatman as Head Coach of Charger Volleyball.

The Master’s University announces McKenna Hafner as the head coach of the women’s indoor team. Annett Davis will remain head coach of the beach volleyball team.