The BIC is the official AVCA newsletter for men and boys volleyball. If there is a specific topic or news you would like shared in a future issue, please contact Brad Wilson at bradley.wilson@avca.org.
LeMoyne-Owen College to Add DII Men’s Volleyball Team with Support from First Point Volleyball Foundation
LeMoyne-Owen College proudly announced its plan to introduce a men’s volleyball program, as its athletics department a received $75,000 grant from the First Point Volleyball Foundation.
The program set to commence in 2025 and position it as the seventh member of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.
Barry University will add men’s indoor volleyball as the program’s 21st varsity sport for the 2024-25 academic year. The sport becomes the eighth sport in the last two years, including women’s beach volleyball. Barry becomes the fifth varsity program in the state of Florida, including D-II member Edward Waters in Jacksonville, Fla.
The Master’s (Calif.) claimed the No. 1 spot in the latest edition of the Coaches’ Top 15 Rating. OUAZ (Ariz.) and William Penn (Iowa) moved up into the Top 5 of the rating while Cornerstone (Mich.) and Lawrence Tech (Mich.) made their way into the Top 15 for the first time this season.
Players of the Week
NCAA National Collegiate AVCA Player of the Week Kory Grant, Mount Olive
So, OH/S, 6’3 – Pembroke Pines, FL
NCAA Division III AVCA Player of the Week Pat Wing, SUNY New Paltz
Gr, RS, 6’5 – Massapequa, NY
NAIA Players of the Week Attacker of the Week Will Anderson, Vanguard (CA)
Sr, RS, 6’8 – Tualatin, OR
Defender of the Week Veljko Culibrk, Missouri Baptist (MO)
So, MB/RS, 6’7 – Novi Sad, Serbia
Setter of the Week Zeo Meyer, Ottawa University (AZ)
Sr, S, 6’4 – Wheaton, IL
Men and Boys Volleyball Media
Off the Block Weekly National Award recipients
National Setter of the Week: Nicholas Slight, Grand Canyon National Opposite of the Week: Kory Grant, Mount Olive National Outside Attacker of the Week: Ethan Champlin, UCLA National Middle Attacker of the Week: Simon Torwie, Long Beach State National Libero of the Week: Wilmer Hernandez, Purdue Fort Wayne
Seven Questions with Charlie Sullivan
The Springfield Student chatted with Charlie Sullivan to discuss his coaching philosophy, strategies for recruiting talented players, and the importance of team chemistry. He emphasizes the significance of academics alongside athletics and highlights the team’s goals for the upcoming season. Sullivan also shares insights into his coaching career and personal interests outside of volleyball. Read the article here.
Master Coaches interviewed one of the founders of TAP – Travis Richmond and the company’s Chief Executive Officer – Eric Duncan. TAP stands for “Tip a Player”, which is an online platform to provide financial support to college athletes, www.tipaplayer.com. Tip a Player, or TAP, allows fans of Division I college sports to send money for their favorite players and teams in an era where student-athletes are allowed to be compensated for the use of their Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL). This is a must watch or listen for any Division I coach men or women.
LA Times: Loyola High’s Sean Kelly seeks fantastic finish and section volleyball title
The LA Times recently profiled Loyola High School’s Sean Kelly. Overall, the article highlights Kelly’s importance to his team and his determination to achieve success in the sport.Check it out!
Kevin Pratte Introduces Foundation to Award Scholarships for Boys High School Volleyball Players Looking to Play Club
The Kevin Pratt Foundation was created to award high school boys volleyball players scholarships to help pay for their club volleyball fees. Playing club and high school volleyball really had an effect on developing Kevin as a person, a student, and an athlete.
Nominations for the 2024 JVA Boys’ Watch List powered by Fivestar are Open
This award recognizes indoor boys volleyball athletes from JVA member clubs for outstanding achievement on the volleyball court. Players eligible for nomination are currently competing in age divisions 15U, 16U, 17U or 18U and graduating high school in 2024, 2025, 2026 or 2027. Nominate here.
Beach Volleyball News
AVCA Men’s Volleyball Alliance
To join the Men’s Collegiate Beach Volleyball Alliance an active member coach of the AVCA must complete the registration information. The nominating coach serves as the official representative for all men’s collegiate beach activities at the college.
If you are interested in starting men’s collegiate beach volleyball at your college and need support please email Becca Just. We are happy to help!
AVCA Updates
2024 AVCA Men’s Salary Survey Now Being Collected
2024 Men’s Volleyball Salary Surveys for National Collegiate, NCAA DIII, and NAIA men’s programs are being conducted through the end of the month. We are soliciting feedback from as many member coaches as possible.
Please search your email (junk/spam) for an email dated February 12th or 13th from noreply@qemailserver.com. Your survey link is tied directly to your individual email address – DO NOT FORWARD the survey email or survey link to other coaches, please. If you have any questions, please contact AVCA at research@avca.org.
AVCA Boys All-America and High Risers Watch List Nominations Now Accepted
The AVCA is now accepting nominations for the 2024 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!
AVCA Boys, Men’s & Beach Officiation Appreciation Week Coming March 23 – April 7
The 2nd Annual American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Boys, Men’s & Beach Volleyball Officials Appreciation Week is March 23 – April 7, 2024. This period is set aside to make sure our officials know they are part of the sport. As coaches, you are the leaders; student-athletes, parents, and fans will follow your example to ensure we treat our officials in a manner befitting their role in helping boys, men’s and beach volleyball become one of the United States most popular sports.
Eligible nominees must be 30 years old or younger as of December 31, 2023 [born 1993 or later], active AVCA members, and currently coaching volleyball in the selected category. Nominations close March 1, 2024. Questions? Contact alice.rogers@avca.org.
AVCA Partners with VBTV to Provide Access to Members
As a part of the AVCA’s previously announced partnership expansion with Volleyball World, AVCA members can begin taking advantage of their 1-year exclusive access to VBTV’s Video on Demand (VOD) content! VBTV’s VOD content includes full indoor and beach matches available right after the match ends, highlights, original series, interviews, and more. Click here for instructions to access your free subscription! Not a member and want to take advantage of this amazing benefit? Join the AVCAby March 24, 2024, to be included.
USA Volleyball
NTDP Opens 2024 Indoor Training Series with Boys in Colorado Springs
Close to 150 boys volleyball athletes from around the country will work with top coaches and look to improve their skills at the USA Volleyball National Team Development Program’s (NTDP) Indoor Training Series event on Feb. 29-March 3 at the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Center (OPTC) in Colorado Springs.
The NTDP Training Series give invited junior athletes the chance to practice with and play against some of the best competition in the United States while receiving guidance from top coaches.
Boston, MA is the host for the first Men’s Tier 1 East Division regular season event, hosted at the Game On Sports and Performance Center. Stream the event. Register for the event.
