Learn latest information affecting men’s and boys volleyball.
THE BIC – April 2, 2026
ESPN Documentary on UMES Program
The ESPN Original ‘Why Not Us: UMES Volleyball’ is available to stream now on the ESPN+. The piece highlights the first year of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore men’s volleyball team, led by head coach Dr. Anitra Brockman, as the first men’s volleyball program at a traditional Division I HBCU. Watch the trailer!
“Stand Firm. Serve Big. Leave Legacy.” is Coach Nickie Sanlin’s personal reflection on her journey through volleyball—as an athlete, a coach, and a barrier-breaker in men’s collegiate volleyball.
The AVCA is currently accepting nominations for AVCA All-Region and All-America for Men’s NCAA Division III. Nominations are due to be completed by next Monday, April 6. Make sure to reference the 2026 List of DIII Nationally Ranked Teams to complete your nominations.
View the list of athletes receiving to the 2026 AVCA/MaxPreps Player of the Week Award. In order for players to be featured on the list, coaches must update their athletes’ stats each week on MaxPreps.com.
Submit a proposal to be considered as a speaker for on-court, beach court or classroom presentations at the AVCA Annual Convention. The application window will close May 11.
Rob Espero continues his weekly men’s volleyball show with insights of recent results with coaches Jay Hosack, Theo Edwards, Dan Friend, and Brad Rostratter.
NAIA Extends Championship at Cedar Rapids Through 2028
The NAIA has extended its agreement with Cedar Rapids Tourism to host the 2027 and 2028 NAIA Men’s Volleyball National Championships in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The championship events will be contested at the Alliant Energy PowerHouse.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette took in the match between Ohio State and Penn State that was hosted at Pitt’s Fitzgerald Field House. The match was attended by local boys teams in a unique opportunity to see elite college volleyball.
From Sarah Conklin – Title IX’s expansion of opportunities for girls in the 1980s and 1990s created a generation that grew up immersed in volleyball and later introduced the sport to their sons, fueling today’s rapid rise in boys’ volleyball. Women now play major roles in coaching, organizing, and advocating for boys’ programs, helping drive the sport’s nationwide growth
Boys volleyball in Missouri is rapidly expanding in its second year as an MSHSAA‑sanctioned sport, with schools like Hickman, Battle, and Rock Bridge growing participation and seeking statewide competition due to limited local opponents.
Kansas City–area advocates are pushing for Kansas to sanction boys volleyball as a high school sport, urging the KIAAA to recommend it to KSHSAA amid rapidly growing interest and participation.
We’ve reached the point in the season where NPI Bracketology is becoming every more real and ever more perilous for teams on the bubble. With the latest NPI release and current conference leaders, FrogJump can continue to build a full projected NCAA field.
Did we miss one? Contact bradley.wilson@avca.org and let us know. Programs are also visible on the AVCA’s map:
Recent Hires and Job Openings
Recent Hires
Tom Welsh will look to bring his winning traits to the University of St. Francis as he takes over both the Fighting Saints women’s team and the newly-created men’s program.
Huy Nguyen has been named the first head coach of The University of Scranton men’s volleyball program ahead of its first season of competition in 2026-27.
