AVCA First Serve Showcase: Group Ticket Bundles Available
Organizations are now eligible to request group codes for ticket orders for the AVCA First Serve Showcase on Aug. 27. The event at Louisville’s KFC Yum! Center features four of the nation’s top women’s volleyball teams, with Kentucky playing Nebraska at 7 p.m. (ET) followed by Louisville vs. Wisconsin.
Interested parties can get a group code, which they can share with members of their team, club, or organization to be used when purchasing tickets for AVCA First Serve. Organizations whose members buy over 20 tickets using the code will receive a donation of 15 percent of the cost from the AVCA after the event.
Coaches Dani Busboom Kelly of Louisville and Craig Skinner of Kentucky will be available to the media Thursday, July 11 at 3 pm (ET) to preview the AVCA First Serve Volleyball Showcase. The press conference at the Kentucky Yum! Center looks ahead to the Aug. 27 event at the arena in Louisville.
Volleyball Stories
Men’s volleyball has been added at Manhattan College starting in the 2025-2026 academic year. The program is the beneficiary of a grant from First Point Volleyball Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to helping increase men’s volleyball opportunities across the country. Manhattan is the sixth Division I MVB program to be added since 2022.
Former University of Hawai’i volleyball star and 2023 AVCA Player of the Year Jakob Thelle is giving back. Thelle recently held an online auction for some of his UH gear with all funds going to Special Olympics Hawai’i.
USA Volleyball is pleased to announce that Micha Hancock [three-time First Team AVCA All-American at Penn State] has been named the official alternate to the U.S. Women’s Volleyball Team that will compete at the Olympic Games Paris 2024. The 13 women’s athletes going to Paris include:
34 AVCA All-America honors
27 First-Team honors
4 AVCA Players of the Year
NBC Sports writes of the U.S. Men’s Olympic Volleyball Team: Nine of the 12 players on the roster are returning Olympians — a record for any U.S. men’s or women’s Olympic team. The roster also has an average age of 32 years old, which breaks the record for oldest U.S. Olympic men’s or women’s volleyball team. Head coach John Speraw will also be at his third Olympic games, tying a record for a U.S. men’s volleyball head coach.
2024 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 nature of this obstacle can be physical, mental, or a combination of both. The selected winners will be provided round trip travel to the AVCA Convention this December
in Louisville, Kentucky to be recognized and celebrated at the event. Nominations will be kept private and not shared until winners are selected and permission has been granted to share. AVCA Staff will select the winners. Nominations are due to be submitted by Friday, August 9. Winners will be announced this fall. If you have any questions, please contact Brad Wilson.
“SURVEY SUNDAY” One Question Member Survey
Starting this Sunday, July 14 and running thru Sunday, Sept. 29, the AVCA will will send out a one question survey each Sunday evening at 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The one-question format is designed to take less than one minute of your time so we would appreciate your participation.
The survey is an opportunity for AVCA staff to learn more about our member community, improve member services, and engage our members.
Each week, all survey respondents will go into a random drawing for one $50.00 VISA gift card. On Monday, September 30th, all respondents from the 12-week survey window will go into a Grand Prize drawing for a 2024 AVCA Complimentary Full Convention Registration Certificate. Thank you for engaging in the one question survey initiative! If you have any questions or comments, email research@avca.org or call AVCA Member Services at 866-544-2822.
Register now for the 2024 AVCA Coach of the Year Virtual Super Clinic featuring top coaches from around the country. Experience six-days of digital coaching education and on-demand access after the clinic. Plus, attendees will receive access to Volleyball Coaches Insider +Plus content.
Nominate your top high school athletes for a chance to be recognized when the Watch Lists are released in August. Uncommitted athletes on watch lists will also be invited to attend the AVCA Phenom College Prep Program December 19-21, 2024, in Louisville, KY.
Four of the nation’s top collegiate volleyball teams – Kentucky, Louisville, Nebraska, and Wisconsin – will open the 2024 women’s season at the AVCA First Serve Showcase on Aug. 27 in Louisville, KY at the KFC Yum! Center, the same venue where the NCAA DI Women’s Volleyball National Championship will be held in December. Click here to learn more.
Choosing and Evaluating Defensive Systems
Developing your new boys program: Creating culture, practice plans and goals
The online AVCA Career Center allows job posters to advertise a job opening, search resumes, manage candidates, and market open positions. Job seekers have the opportunity to post a resume, search for open positions, create job alert notifications, and access free career management resources. Recent posts include:
Assistant Volleyball Coach – Lycoming College
Middle School Volleyball Coach (One Year) – Milton Academy (MA)
Lower Columbia College has hired a new head volleyball coach, Troy Shorey.
The Pro Volleyball Federation’s Atlanta Vibe have appointed Kayla Banwarth as their new head coach.
The University of Pikeville has selected its new volleyball coach, Mary Haynes.
Calumet College of St. Joseph announced that Emilier De Jesushas been named the head coach for both the Men’s and Women’s Volleyball programs.
Ryan Havice named Head Beach Volleyball Coach for the University of New Orleans.
Ball State University head men’s volleyball coach Donan Cruz has signed a contract extension through 2028.
The JVA Sponsor Program Gives $200,000 Back to JVA Girls, Boys and Beach Clubs! We’ve increased the sponsorship amount for most of the Sponsor Levels!
Girls Indoor Programs can receive up to $5,000 and Boys Indoor Programs can receive up to $2,700. If your club has a girls program AND a boys program you can APPLY FOR BOTH!
