Rice University Women’s Volleyball Head Coach Genny Volpepresents “From Warm-Up to Game Day: Skill Builders for High School Volleyball” focused on maximizing practice efficiency and skill development. The video features the “Corner Ball Drill”, a warm-up exercise emphasizing shuffle movement and quick reactions, where players aim for maximum ball contacts in 30 seconds. This drill includes multiple progressions to sharpen ball control, footwork, and reaction time. Coach Volpe also shares insights into serve-receive fundamentals, discussing key concepts such as hip positioning, angling the ball toward the target, and effective ball tracking. Additionally, the “Run-Throughs Under the Net Drill” is introduced to enhance defensive skills.
Now in her 22nd season at Rice, Volpe is the program’s all-time winningest coach and was inducted into the Rice Athletics Hall of Fame in 2023. She has led the Owls to eight NCAA Tournament appearances and five conference championships, establishing Rice as a powerhouse in the Southwest. Volpe also serves on the AVCA Division I Head Coaches Committee.
The 5th Annual AVCA Fall Volleyball Officials Appreciation Week is September 26 – October 4, 2025. This nine day period is set aside for girls and women’s volleyball teams to make sure our officials know how grateful the volleyball community is for the integral role they play. As coaches, you are the leaders, student-athletes, parents, and fans will follow your example of ensuring we treat our officials in a manner befitting their role in helping volleyball become one of the most popular sports.
📲 Get Involved: Use #OFFICIATIONWEEK2025 and tag @AVCAVolleyball on social media to share your celebration.
High School Volleyball Goes Outdoors in Growing National Trend
Across the country, high school volleyball is breaking tradition and heading outdoors, drawing big crowds and creating unforgettable moments. Inspired by the University of Nebraska’s record-setting outdoor match, these events mark a growing national trend aimed at boosting visibility and excitement around high school volleyball.
States joining the movement:
Alabama is preparing for its first sanctioned outdoor match this October.
Georgia’sCobb County’s inaugural outdoor match drew over 1,500 spectators, turning a football field into a vibrant volleyball venue.
Indiana celebrated its first outdoor match with Fort Wayne Carroll and Homestead.
Michigan hosted the Outdoor Summer Slam in Allen Park.
Nebraska continues to lead with large-scale outdoor volleyball events.
New York (Boys) saw Frontier High host the first sanctioned boys’ outdoor match.
New York (Girls) featured Burnt Hills’ dramatic win in NY’s first outdoor girls’ match.
Ohio saw Hilliard Darby and Bradley compete in an OHSAA outdoor match.
Tennessee hosted its first-ever outdoor high school volleyball matches at Knoxville Catholic, featuring teams from both Tennessee (Knoxville Catholic, Maryville, Webb) and Kentucky (Sacred Heart Academy from Louisville).
Texas hosted a historic outdoor exhibition match between Liberty Christian School and Grapevine High School known as Showdown at Sundown.
Wisconsin’sBattle of the Marsh brought together three teams in Mayville.
As more schools embrace this format, outdoor volleyball is proving to be a powerful way to energize communities and elevate the sport.
A new report from the National Federation of High Schools (NFHS) shows girls volleyball is the top high school girls team sport, a trend which has continued since 2015. The 2024-25 report also showed girls volleyball participation is at its highest number ever in NFHS reports at 492,799, a 2.9% increase from last year. Girls volleyball participation has grown steadily since 2004, with an increase of 106,777 participants since 2004-05.
NFHS’s report also revealed boys volleyball participation grew to 95,972, nearly 14,000 more than last year. In the past three years, the number of boys playing volleyball has jumped from 66,487 to 95,972 – and the sport now is No. 11 on the list of top boys sports. In addition, 25 state associations are now conducting state volleyball championships for boys.
AVCA Phenom College Prep Program – For the fourteenth year, the AVCA will host the invitation only Phenom College Preparatory Program on December 18-20, in Kansas City. Since the start of the program, 80% of participating athletes end up on college rosters! Registration opens September 24!
Watch this clip from the 2025 AVCA Coach of the Year Super Clinic session – “The Importance of Having A Mentor” with Susan Brewer, Bellville High School Volleyball Head Coach (TX).
2025 AVCA Super Clinic sessions presented by Coaches Insider are now available on-demand!
