Learn latest information affecting men’s and boys volleyball.
THE BIC – February 5, 2026
AVCA National College Men’s Player of the Year Watch List
The AVCA shared its first-ever Watch List for the AVCA National Collegiate Men’s Player of the Year award. There are 15 players from 11 different schools on this inaugural list, including seven seniors, five juniors, two sophomores, and one freshman.
The University of St. Francis in Illinois will begin play in Spring, 2027, competing at the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) level and in the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC).
Huntington University is pleased to announce the addition of men’s volleyball to HU’s varsity athletics lineup following faculty approval on January 21. The program will begin competing at the NAIA level in the 2026-2027 academic year.
Defending champions The Master’s (Calif.) will start the 2026 season as No. 1 after the Mustangs closed the 2025 season at a perfect 27-0. TMU was voted the No. 1 team for all eight ratings during the 2025 season. NAIA Preseason Top 5:
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. Both lists are set to be published in March and continue to be updated throughout the spring.
NCAA National Collegiate Tournament Region Format Announced
The top four seeds for the tournament will be protected from the chances of an early-round matchup and placed into separate regions, according to a recent NCAA memo sent to conference commissioners.
The NCAA Tournament in the offseason expanded from a nine to 12-team field resulting in the transition from all matches being played at a single venue to a multiple-site regional format. Each region will consist of three teams – one seeded team that will receive a bye to regional finals and two teams that will play in the regional semifinals.
Only the top four teams will receive seeds for the tournament. The eight remaining unseeded teams could be placed in any of the regions.
MiddleHitter.com and editor Kevin Pratte recently published its ranking of the top recruiting classes for the 2026 season which does include collegiate transfers. Hawaii took the #1 spot with Long Beach, UCLA, USC, and BYU following after.
US Men’s National Team Returns to Chicago in 2026 for Volleyball Nations League
Volleyball fans in the U.S. will once again experience world-class international competition as the Volleyball Nations League returns to the NOW Arena in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, July 15-19, 2026.
On December 1, the University of the Pacific announced it is officially reinstating its men’s volleyball program, nearly 13 years after the sport was cut in 2014 amid campus-wide budget reductions. The Tigers will return to the court in 2027 and compete in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF), one of the premier conferences in men’s volleyball.
On January 23rd and 24th, Juniata College hosted the inaugural Kevin Pratte Foundation Tournament, where competitive NCAA Division III men’s volleyball teams clashed in a spirited early-season showdown. The event featured teams from Hobart College, SUNY New Paltz, and Widener University, showcasing rising talent and fierce competition.
In the heart of Chicago’s volleyball scene stands a founder and leader whose vision has redefined how young athletes compete, grow, and dream: Adam Beck, Owner and director of The Point Series along with his wife Julie has built more than a tournament; they have forged a competitive ecosystem that elevates every player, from the 12-year-olds just discovering the joy of the game to the high school stars chasing dreams of national recognition.
U.S. Beach National Team athletes Taylor Crabb and Andy Benesh have officially joined forces, marking one of the most anticipated new partnerships on the AVP and international beach circuits.
The NYPD and FDNY volleyball teams will clast on Saturday, March 7, at Maspeth High School in Elmhurst, NY in the annual “Battle of the Badges” match, an event honoring first responders who lost their lives in the line of duty while strengthening bonds between police officers, firefighters, and the community
Did we miss one? Contact bradley.wilson@avca.org and let us know. Programs are also visible on the AVCA’s map:
Job Changes
Starting competition in spring 2027, the Pacific men’s volleyball program will be led by Devin Young. He’ll be the first Tigers head coach since the sport was discontinued following the 2013-14 fiscal year.
Arizona Christian men’s volleyball will move forward under the leadership of a familiar face. Caden Toben has been promoted to head coach and will lead the Firestorm into the 2026 season.
Kansas Wesleyan University is pleased to announce Brandon Stephenson has been named as the men’s volleyball coach at Kansas Wesleyan.
Wingate University Director of Athletics Joe Reich has announced the hiring of Matthew Hazle as the Men’s Beach Volleyball Head Coach. Hazle joins the Bulldogs in year two of the Wingate Men’s Beach Volleyball program.
