AVCA advocates for collegiate sports; New AVCA Board President; VNL Schedule
At The Net – June 4, 2025
AVCA Leadership
The American Volleyball Coaches Association elevated Jen Flynn Oldenburg to the position ofPresident of its Board of Directors at the Board’s meeting May 19-20 in Chicago. The Ohio State women’s volleyball coach since 2020, Oldenburg replaces Kirsten Bernthal Booth, who stepped down as the AVCA president when she left Creighton to take a position with League One Volleyball (LOVB) in April. Continue reading.
Collegiate Volleyball News
Franciscan University (DIII) will be adding men’s volleyball starting in the 2026-27 academic year. Jen Hickey has been promoted to Head Men’s and Women’s Volleyball Coach. The Barons will compete in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC).
William Peace University (DIII) is proud to announce the addition of men’s volleyball, with competition set to begin in the 2026–27 academic year. A national search for the program’s first head coach is currently underway.
Lake Forest Athletics (DIII) announced the addition of men’s volleyball,cheerleading, and a dance team in 2026-2027. An announcement regarding what conference the Foresters will join will be made at a later date.
Alvernia University (DIII) announced the return of Men’s Volleyball for the 2027 season. Micaela Sensenig has been hired to lead both Women’s Volleyball and Men’s Volleyball.
Boys Volleyball News
Congratulations to Nebraska and Indiana’s first ever Boys Volleyball State Champions! Both states recently held their inaugural tournaments, with Indiana celebrating the first season as an officially sanctioned sport. For the latest in all things Men’s and Boys volleyball,subscribe to The BIC Newsletter.
AVCA Team Academic Award nominations are now open! The award program honors collegiate and high school varsity volleyball teams with a 3.3 GPA or higher (on a 4.0 scale.) Click here to nominate, and here for FAQs.
Nominations for the 2025 AVCA Phenom Watch List and AVCA All-America Watch List are now open! Both lists will be published on August 25, 2025. The Phenom Watch List is open to 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).
Submissions now accepted for the 2025 AVCA Victory Club! Celebrate your milestone career wins – High School and Collegiate (indoor and beach) AVCA member head coaches are eligible for recognition at the 2025 AVCA Convention.
The 2025 AVCA Coach of the Year Virtual Super Clinic, powered by Coaches Insider, education experience is designed to add value and help prepare you for the upcoming season. SAVE WITH EARLY REGISTRATION now until June 22.
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.
USA Volleyball News
Volleyball World, CBS Sports and Big Ten Network announce Landmark U.S. Broadcast Partnership. Every U.S. National Team match in the 2025 VNL and FIVB World Championships will be broadcast nationwide via CBS Sports and Big Ten Network, alongside additional coverage of top international matchups.
USA Volleyball is proud to announce the 21 athletes who will train with the 2025 Men’s U23 National Team for the NORCECA U23 Pan American Cup, July 27-August 4 in Guatemala City, Guatemala.
Partner Highlights
Grassroots Programs to Develop Well-Rounded Volleyball Athletes Hear from NKYVC Club Director, Jill Hunt, as she discusses their grassroots volleyball programs to introduce young kids to volleyball through fun, age-appropriate activities that build basic skills and confidence. Listen on Spotify.Watch on Youtube.
900 Square Feet’s Lee Feinswog interviewed coaches association leaders AVCA CEO Jaime Gordon, College Swimming & Diving Coaches Association of America’s Samantha Barany, and the National Wrestling Coaches Association’s Mike Moyer to talk about the battle Olympic sports face on the college level.
900 Square Feet also welcomed guest Orlando Valkyries coach Amy Pauly, who shared a personal story about what she went through when her team won the Pro Volleyball Federation title last month. Watch here.
AVCA CEO Jaime Gordon was the featured guest this week on the MasterCoaches Wednesday Weekly Buzz. Gordon spoke about “The Future of Collegiate Sports in a New Era for Division I.” The MasterCoaches asked how the AVCA has been deeply engaged in advocacy work on behalf of Olympic Sports in intercollegiate athletics, then explored the meaning of “Protect and Maintain” and what coaches need to do to support the effort. Watch live on Wednesdays at 2pm ET!
Penn State Volleyball Coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley, a Chicago native, will throw the first pitch at the White Sox versus Royals game on June 8 after battling cancer and winning the national championship in 2024.
Coaching Careers
NCAA Division I
Presbyterian College has announced Maddie Moss as the new head coach of the volleyball program.
NCAA Division II
Bluefield State names Keyonna Morrow as Head Volleyball Coach.
Cary Clark has been named Head Volleyball Coach at Tiffin University.
Shaw University names Jailynn Hunt as new Head Volleyball Coach.
Molloy University announced the promotion of Steve Woessner as the Head Women’s Volleyball Coach for the 2025 season.
The University of Alaska Fairbanks has announced a five-year contract extension for Alaska Nanooks volleyball head coach Brian Scott. Scott, who recently concluded his 10th season at the helm, finished the 2024 season with a 21-7 overall and 13-5 record in GNAC play.
NCAA Division III
Hiram College Athletics announced the hiring of Brittany Dye as its head men’s volleyball coach, an addition to her current roles as head women’s volleyball coach and Director of Volleyball Operations.
Arturo Diaz named Interim Volleyball Head Coach
at Luther College.
NAIA
Siena Heights has announced the hire of Corey Ness as head coach of the Saints’ women’s volleyball program. Ness will take over the program from Kim Berrington, who has retired after a coaching career which spans 40 years, including the last 10 at SHU.
Berrington finishes out her collegiate coaching career with a 687-514 record. She was 193-103 as the Saints’ women’s coach.
Marian University officially announced the hiring of Ryan Bowerman as the next head coach of women’s volleyball.
Ottawa University has announced that Shevin Blades has been named interim head coach of the men’s volleyball program.
NJCAA
John Wood Community College has announced the appointment of Nick Pudlowski as the new head coach for the women’s volleyball team.
NWAC
South Puget Sound Community College is proud to announce the hiring of Emme Price as the new Clipper Volleyball coach.