NCAA DI WVB practice waiver; AVCA First Serve broadcast schedule
At The Net – July 2, 2025
NCAA Blanket Waiver: Division I WVB Practice Starts July 31
Preseason practice for all Division I women’s volleyball teams can begin on July 31, 2025, based on an NCAA waiver approved June 30th. As part of the NCAA Division I Committee for Legislative Relief’s blanket waiver, the start date for member institutions will be earlier than normal. It allows all teams to begin preseason volleyball practice on the same date—July 31—and is only applicable for the 2025-26 academic year. The measure, which is supported by the AVCA, does not extend the playing season beyond the existing 132 days. Since the new start date is not permanent, additional action on this topic would come through the NCAA Division I Sports Oversight Committee and be reviewed through the NCAA Council-governance process.
AVCA Events
The schedule has been finalized for AVCA First Serve,which will bring together 10 of the nation’s top Division I women’s volleyball teams to open the 2025 season. The first three days include doubleheaders on Aug. 22–24 at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska, and two matches will take place Aug. 25 at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. In addition to the sellout crowds at the two venues, all matches will be broadcast on national networks. Television coverage will include live, in-arena analysis between the matches. Limited tickets for all four days are still available for purchase through Ticketmaster.
(All times Eastern)
Friday, Aug. 22 7 pm— Pittsburgh vs. Nebraska (FOX)
9 pm — Florida vs. Stanford (FOX)
Saturday, Aug. 23 3 pm — Kansas vs. Vanderbilt (FS1)
5 pm — Creighton vs. Penn State (FS1)
Sunday, Aug. 24 1 pm — Florida vs. Pittsburgh (ESPN)
3:30 pm — Stanford vs. Nebraska (ESPN)
Monday, Aug. 25 6:30 pm — Kansas vs. Penn State (Big Ten Network)
8:30 pm — Minnesota vs. Texas A&M (Big Ten Network)
Collegiate Volleyball
Northeastern State University (DII) is planning the largest expansion of its athletics department in school history, adding seven varsity teams over the next two years – including volleyball, which will debut in 2026–27. The sport was previously sponsored at NSU in the late 1970s.
Regent University Athletics is adding women’s beach volleyball to its program in spring 2026—making it the 12th varsity sport offered as the university advances its provisional membership status in NCAA DIII. The current women’s volleyball head coach, Katelyn Totherow, will be the first head coach in the beach volleyball program.
Babcock won the Honda Award, and was named an AAU Sullivan Award Semifinalist and the 2024 AVCA National Player of the Year. The 2025 ESPYS will air July 16 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and ESPN+. Submit your vote here!
After leading the Nittany Lions to the 2024 NCAA title while undergoing treatment for breast cancer, Penn State’s women’s volleyball coach will receive the Jimmy V Award for Perseverence. Katie Schumacher-Cawley became the first female coach to win an NCAA women’s volleyball championship. ESPN will broadcast the 2025 ESPYS at 8 p.m. ET on July 16.
NCAA Settlement, NIL News Highlights
Six female student-athletes have filed a federal Title IX class action lawsuit, accusing Stephen F. Austin of violating sex discrimination laws after the school earlier this year eliminated women’s golf, bowling and beach volleyball. The athletes argue that the programs’ cuts have “‘exacerbated’ the school’s longstanding pattern of Title IX noncompliance.” More from Sportico.
AP: Funding of Olympic sports a bargaining chip as NCAA seeks antitrust help
USA Today: NCAA panel proposes allowing Division I college athletes, staffers to bet on pro sports
USA Today: College sports NIL revenue sharing figure being questioned by settlement plaintiffs
High School Volleyball
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).
The 2025 Class of the National High School Hall of Fame includes Anna Maria Lopez, a multi-sport star at St. Mary’s Academy in Portland, OR who later excelled in volleyball and basketball at USC, and Coach Linda Lampkin, who led Hermann (MO) High School to 13 state girls volleyball championships during her 39-year career.
Register now for the 2025 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.
Check out coaches clinics happening around the country hosted by AVCA Signature Affiliate and Affiliate Partners! These local clinics offer high school coaches the opportunity to receive quality volleyball coaching education close to home.
The AVCA will be hosting men’s college volleyball recruiting panels at AAU Boys Nationals in Orlando at the convention center. Join us Saturday, July 5 at 2pm ET in OCCC North 330.
Partner Highlights
The JVA is pleased to announce the 70 student athletes selected to the 2025 JVA Boys All-National Team powered by VKTRY Performance Insoles, which recognizes the top male indoor volleyball players competing for a JVA member club in the 15U-18U divisions this club season. Read full release.
Hitter’s Hand Contact Drill with Kathleen Miller – Oak Lawn Community High School (IL)
Arm Swing: Good Contact on the Ball with Matt Darling – Gannon Univ.
Training Seam Serving & Visualization with Megan Lenhart – Cornerstone Univ.
Come be part of the VNL action and watch LIVE as the Team USA Women take on the world’s best – China, Canada, Dominican Republic, Germany, and Thailand – as they battle it out for a spot in the VNL Finals. Get tickets for matches in Arlington, Texas, July 9-13.
The NCAA is requesting applications from interested individuals to serve as the NCAA Division III Women’s Volleyball National Coordinator of Officials. The coordinator assists the NCAA volleyball committee in the identification, selection and evaluation of officials (referees and line judges) for the NCAA Division III Women’s Volleyball Championship. Learn more and apply.
NCAA Division II
Kutztown University announced the hiring of Jason Barshinger as its head women’s volleyball coach.
Minnesota State reached an agreement on a contract extension with volleyball head coach Corey Phelps.
NAIA
The University of Tennessee Southern has announced the hiring of Macarena Ruiz as the next volleyball head coach.
NJCAA
Barton Community College names Jim Cartisser as the volleyball program’s next head coach.
3C2A
Saddleback College announced that Michael Sofley has been named the new coach for the women’s and beach volleyball programs.
