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.
Tickets for 2024 NCAA National Championship on Sale!
Tickets for the 2024 Men’s NCAA National Collegiate Championship are now on sale!
The Master’s (Calif.) overtakes the No. 1 spot for the third time in program history in the latest edition of the Coaches’ Top 15 Rating. The Mustangs have opened the season with a 5-0 record, winning matches against top-ranked teams. Jamestown (N.D.) made the largest jump in the poll, improving six spots to No. 7. There were no teams that dropped out of the Top 15 this ratings period.
Players of the Week
NCAA National Collegiate AVCA Player of the Week Spyros Chakas, Hawai’i
Sr, OH, 6’4 – Nea Smyrni, Greece
NCAA Division III AVCA Player of the Week Jacob Labouliere, Wentworth
Sr, OH, 6’8 – 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 Andres Velez, Saint Xavier (IL)
So, L, 5’9 – Toa Baja, Puerto Rico
Setter of the Week William Lawler, Menlo (CA)
So, S, 6’2 – Huntington Beach, CA
Men and Boys Volleyball Media
Off the Block Weekly National Award recipients
National Setter of the Week: Logan Taylor, North Greenville National Opposite of the Week: Nathan Zini, Saint Francis National Outside Attacker of the Week: Spyros Chakas, Hawai’i National Middle Attacker of the Week: Merrick McHenry, UCLA National Libero of the Week: Mason Briggs, Long Beach State
Ethan Champlin Name Semi-Finalist for AAU Sullivan Award
UCLA men’s volleyball player Ethan Champlin has been named as a semi-finalist for the 94th AAU James E. Sullivan Award which is presented annually to the most outstanding athlete at the collegiate or Olympic level in the United States. Public voting to help determine the finalists for the AAU James E. Sullivan Award will be conducted from Feb. 14 to Feb. 21. Read more here.
This week we will be interviewing two very prominent club coaches: Max Miller of Mintonette VBC and Mike Lingenfelter of Munciana VBC. We will be discussing the NIT and other national qualifiers, the portal, NIL and other issues facing clubs in 2024. Tune in Wednesday on Facebook or at volleyballmastercoaches.com. Coaches can also listen to our new podcast serieson iTunes.
College Program Listings and Map
The AVCA is constantly updating its NCAA, NAIA, and Two-Year College program lists as new programs get announced:
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
VolleyballMag.com Previews High School Season
High school boys volleyball, one of the fastest growing sports in America, is either underway or begins play soon around the nation. Kevin Pratte from VolleyballMag.com recently provided at two-part look at the 28 states playing boys volleyball.
The status of emerging activity gives boys volleyball coordinators and coaches an avenue for the state association to consider it to be a sanctioned sport at a later date. This includes organizing at the club level to see what participation would look like.
As part of the process, the OSAA needed at least 50 member schools to field teams. Oregon’s boys volleyball signup date was on Feb. 1, and the Oregon High School Boys Volleyball Association shows that 71 teams from 76 schools have signed up for the spring 2024 season — a figure far beyond the required number the OSAA asks.
Atlanta News First Broadcast Shines Light on Boys Volleyball Growth in Georgia
Volleyball’s popularity is surging in the United States — but despite the boost, boys volleyball still isn’t a varsity sport in Georgia. In this broadcast from Atlanta News First, the host outlines the effort to grow the sport in Georgia and the involvement of the Southern Region to help provide grant money to teams looking to add.
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
USA Volleyball to Celebrate Alan Knipe as All-Time Great Coach at 2024 Hall of Fame Banquet
USA Volleyball will celebrate Alan Knipe and Marlene Piper as All-Time Great Coaches at its 2024 Hall of Fame annual banquet and ceremony on May 22 at the Hilton Polaris in Columbus, Ohio.
Knipe will receive the Donald S. Shondell All-Time Great Coach Award.
Phoenix, Arizona is the host for the first Men’s Tier 1 West Division regular season event, hosted at the Arizona Athletic Grounds in Mesa. Stream the event. Register for the event.
