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.
2024 AVCA Boys Watch Lists Announced
2024 AVCA Boys All-America Watch List
The AVCA Boys All-America Watch List features 518 high school senior athletes. The list serves as the starting point for the Boys’ High School Senior All-America selection process.
An AVCA High Riser is a non-senior high school male athlete that has showcased themselves already as an up-and-coming top athlete in the sport. This year’s watch list features 438 total athletes.
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.
Vanguard (Calif.), the defending national champions, returned to No. 1 in the latest edition of the 2024 NAIA Men’s Volleyball Coaches’ Top 15 Rating. The Lions were last ranked No. 1 in the preseason rating. Grand View (Iowa) moved into the Top 5 this week as the team rides a six-match win streak. Four teams joined the Top 15 this week: Missouri Valley, Lourdes (Ohio), Westcliff (Calif.) and Indiana Tech. Updated on March 6
2024 USA Today/AVCA Super 25 and Regional Polls
The latest USA Today/AVCA Boys High School Super 25 and Regional Rankings are updated weekly and determined by AVCA member coaches. Regions are determined by the AVCA.
NCAA National Collegiate AVCA Player of the Week Spyros Chakas, University of Hawai’i
Sr, OH, 6’4 – Nea Smyrni, Greece
NCAA Division III AVCA Player of the Week Jacob LaBouliere, Wentworth
Sr, OH, 6’9 – Pipersville, PA
NAIA Players of the Week Attacker of the Week Emery Outin, Ottawa University (AZ)
Sr, OH, 6’5 – Laval, France
Defender of the Week CJ Bride, Georgetown College
Sr, L, 5’10 – Louisville, KY
Setter of the Week Ryan Smith, Vanguard University
Sr, S, 6’9 – Parker, CO
Men and Boys Volleyball Media
FloVolleyball: Stanford’s Alex and Will Rottman Carry on Father’s Legacy
Will and Alex Rottman, brothers on Stanford Men’s Volleyball, aren’t the only volleyball players in their family. Their father, David Rottman, a former professional volleyball player, is now a broadcaster for the sport. Watch their interview with FloVolleyball here.
Off the Block Weekly National Award recipients
National Setter of the Week: Tread Rosenthal, Hawai’i National Opposite of the Week: Cole Kertzynski, Pepperdine National Outside Attacker of the Week: Hilir Henno, UC Irvine National Middle Attacker of the Week: Rolen Lively, McKendree National Libero of the Week: Mason Briggs, Long Beach State
Hawaii OH Spyros Chakas to Miss Rest of the Season
Hawaii’s Spyros Chakas, who is currently fifth in the country in kills per set, will miss the rest of the season due to an injury suffered in Sunday’s win over UC Irvine. Read more.
Fontbonne University to Close after Summer 2025
The Fontbonne University Board of Trustees has voted to declare financial exigency and cease operations after the summer 2025 term. After many years of declining enrollments and a shrinking endowment, the financial position of the university was determined to be unsustainable for the long term. The university will not admit a fall 2024 class.
Fontbonne will plan to continue to offer sports through the 2024-2025 academic year.
Master Coaches recently conducted an interview with Director of Operations for League One – Tom Hogan. Included in the conversation were direct information concerning an overview of League One’s organizational structure, league financing, 3-5 years goals for financial viability, first season franchises, competition and practice sites, League One’s strategy, rosters, and much more.
Did we miss one? Contact bradley.wilson@avca.org and let us know. Programs are also visible on the AVCA’s map:
Boys Volleyball News
Mira Costa Wins Best of the West Tournament
The Mira Costa boys volleyball went into the Best of the West Tournament following a five-set loss Wednesday to Newport Harbor. The teams met again Saturday in the final of the tournament in San Diego, and Mira Costa won 25-19, 25-19. Read the full article from the Daily Breeze.
Pleasant Grove takes historic win over Mountain View in first-ever UHSAA sanctioned match
On Monday the dream was finally realized as Pleasant Grove hosted the first-ever sanctioned boys volleyball match against Mountain View, and the Vikings took the first-ever win with a 3-0 sweep. Read the full article from Deseret News.
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
AVCA Match Point Mentoring Program
We’re thrilled to announce exciting changes to our mentoring program that will enhance your coaching journey even further! Beginning with the upcoming cycle, we’re transitioning from a one-to-one mentoring model to a trio-based structure, designed to maximize collaborative learning and support among coaches. The AVCA Match Point Mentoring Program is designed exclusively for volleyball coaches at all levels of expertise. Our program centers on creating mentoring trios where these coaches serve as both mentors and mentees to create a collaborative learning experience. Applications are due by April 30. Questions should be directed to Becca Just.
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
Six Volleyball Leaders to be Honored at USA Volleyball Hall of Fame
USA Volleyball will celebrate volleyball leaders Jennifer Armson-Dyer, Doug Beal, Fred Buehler, Hugh McCutcheon, Kevin Twohig and Kevin Wendelboe at its 2024 Hall of Fame annual banquet and ceremony on May 22 at the Hilton Polaris in Columbus, Ohio.
Doug Beal will be presented with the James E. Coleman National Team Award. Beal led the 1984 U.S. Men’s Volleyball Team to the organization’s first Olympic gold medal. Beal went on to serve as the CEO of USA Volleyball from 2005-17 during a time of unprecedented success for the U.S. indoor and beach national teams.
Hugh McCutcheon will be presented with the Harry E. Wilson International Service Award. McCutcheon led the U.S. Men’s National Team to the Olympic gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Games and helped the U.S. Women take silver at the 2012 London Games.
USA Volleyball Announces Final 16 Hall of Fame Award Winners
USA Volleyball is announcing the final 16 award winners it will honor at its 2024 Hall of Fame annual banquet and ceremony on May 22 at the Hilton Polaris in Columbus, Ohio.
Cullum Miller (Southern Region), beach and boys director and coach at C2 Volleyball Club in Hendersonville, Tennessee, will receive the Junior Boys Beach Coach of the Year Award.
Tom Pingel (Rocky Mountain Region), master coach at Team Colorado in Colorado Springs, will be presented with the Junior Boys Indoor Coach of the Year Award.
David Wolff (Great Lakes Region), a 6-foot-8 outside hitter with MOD Volleyball Club in Skokie, Illinois, and a player in USA Volleyball’s National Team Development Program, has earned the Junior Male Athlete of the Year Award.
