On Monday, a near seven-hour court proceeding marked the final hearing in the NCAA’s House settlement agreement. Judge Wilken indicated that she would approve the settlement if changes are made: provide a phase-in period for implementing new roster limits or “grandfather in” current athletes on rosters; and adjust language related to binding future athletes to the 10-year settlement.
LOVB is coming to Louisville to crown its first-ever League Champions! Catch the LOVB Finals at the KFC Yum! Center from April 10-13. Six teams. Three rounds. One champion. Purchase your tickets today!
The 2025 Pro Volleyball Federation Championship will be held on May 9 and 11 at Lee’s Family Forum, just outside Las Vegas, Nevada. The top four teams in the league standings will compete for the title of the nation’s top professional volleyball team!
In Memoriam
Former BYU director of women’s intercollegiate athletics, legendary women’s volleyball coach and first-ballot AVCA Hall of FamerElaine Michaelis passed away April 2 at the age of 86. Michaelis guided BYU’s women’s volleyball program for 40 seasons before retiring from coaching in May 2002. She also served as director of women’s intercollegiate athletics at BYU from 1995-2004, overseeing one of the country’s most successful intercollegiate women’s athletics programs. The volleyball court in the Smith Fieldhouse at BYU was named in her honor in 2005. Read more from BYU.
Championships
Congratulations to DuPage on winning the 2025 NJCAA Men’s Volleyball Invitational! The Chaps beat Nassau 3-1 to take home the title from this year’s event in Canandaigua, N.Y.
The 2025 National Collegiate Beach Volleyball Championship brings the heat with a high-stakes, single-elimination showdown featuring sixteen elite teams. Don’t miss your chance to witness the action May 2-4 in Gulf Shores, AL – get your tickets today!
Around the Court
Newberry College announced that the school will sponsor men’s varsity intercollegiate volleyball. Current women’s volleyball coach Kiko Santos will become the Director of Volleyball and oversee both sports. The Wolves are expected to play their first varsity game in early January of 2026.
The NCAA is celebrating Division III Week through April 13. Division III Week recognizes the impact of athletics and of student-athletes on their communities, and schools are encouraged to organize outreach activities in one of three categories: academic accomplishment; athletic experience; or leadership/community service/campus involvement.
USA Volleyball is excited to announce the dates, locations and coaching staff for its 2025 indoor age-group national teams, which will compete in top international events, including the NORCECA Continental Championship, Pan American Cup, and FIVB World Championship.
Finn Taylor prepares to step down from his role as Chief Executive Officer of Volleyball World on April 25. Taylor has played a key role in the development of Volleyball World since its launch in 2021, including the industry-leading platform VBTV.
University of Nebraska regents vote Friday on a proposal to rename the home of Husker Volleyball to the John Cook Arena at the Bob Devaney Sports Center and build a bronze statue of Cook outside the sports center.
On April 2, Nebraska lawmakers recognized Cook in the legislative chamber for his accomplishments and to congratulate the legendary coach on his retirement.
Online nominations accepted April 21 through April 28 at 2pm ET.
STRONGLY ENCOURAGED to only nominate athletes from 1’s or 2’s pairs. The committee will only consider 2’s or lower if your 1’s players are selected as All-Americans.
A specific pair of athletes must play at least 15 matches at the same flight, and win at least 75% of their matches at the specific flight. Nomination Deadlines:
NCAA Division III & II – Monday, April 14
NAIA & NJCAA/Two-Year College – Monday, April 21
NCAA Division I – Monday, April 28
Save the Date: AVCA Team Academic Award nominations open May 29, 2025!Get ready – FAQs here.
AVCA Events
2025 AVCA First ServeSingle session tickets will be offered on April 18 if any inventory remains. The season-opening women’s volleyball showcase will take place at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska, on Aug. 22–24, and at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, on Aug. 25. Check out the event web site for more information and to see the eight matchups that will take place over the four days of 2025 First Serve.
AVCA Small College Beach Volleyball ChampionshipsThe largest collegiate beach volleyball event in the country with 33 teams competing in 455 total matches during the championship weekend. The event brings together the top beach teams in the country from NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, and the NAIA. A champion is crowned in each division along with recognition of All-America/All-Tournament teams. The championships also include a Pairs Challenge event for participating teams. Join us April 17-19, 2025 in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Admission is free!
186 participantsin 38 states plus D.C. made it a record-setting AVCA Spring Volleyball Officiation Week! Thanks to those that took part, from high schools to college to pro leagues—men’s & women’s and beach & indoor.
AVCA Coach of the Year Super Clinic: July 25-30
Register today for the 2025 Coach of the Year Virtual Super Clinic, powered by Coaches Insider. This coaching education experience is designed to add value and help prepare you for the upcoming season. It will feature current and past coaches of the year and volleyball practitioners from our community.Learn more.
Prospective student athletes, parents, and club/high school coaches: don’t miss the AVCA-USAV Regions Men’s College Coaches Recruiting Panel, LIVE on Zoom! Head college volleyball coaches from all divisions will answer Q&A about recruiting and scholarship opportunities in their division.
2025 AVCA Match Point Mentoring Program Designed 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 due May 9.
Submit a proposal to be considered as a speaker for on-court, beach court or classroom presentations at the AVCA Convention in Kansas City, Missouri, December 17-21, 2025. Applications due May 7.
Partner Highlights
Register for Align Volleyball Summit – spots are going fast! Align ’25 is the premier educational summit designed specifically for junior volleyball club leaders! USA Volleyball, AAU Volleyball and JVA are coming together May 13-14 at the InterContinental Downtown Chicago! Align your vision, strategy, and leadership with the future of junior volleyball!
Take your beach program to the next level with the Beach Club Management Guide
In partnership with the Art of Coaching Volleyball, the Beach Club Management Guide Volume 1 is a comprehensive resource for club owners, directors and coaches currently operating or planning to run a junior beach volleyball program. JVA members SAVE 75%! Learn more.
This week’s show is part two of the series with AVCA CEO Dr. Jaime Gordon. Topics include: NIL and revenue sharing and its possible impact on sports, and AVCA First Serve. Stay tuned for more updates from Gordon once we find out the result of the NCAA settlement hearing. Next up: the MasterCoaches interview John Foreman, Strategic Manager for Talent and Indoor Performance with Volleyball England.Watch live on Wednesdays at 2pm ET!
Coaching Careers
NCAA Division I
Brian Rosen, 2024 AVCA National Assistant Coach of the Year, has been named head coach of the Creighton volleyball program, replacing Kirsten Bernthal Booth, who after 22 remarkable seasons is resigning to pursue opportunities outside of coaching but will remain involved in fundraising efforts for the CU volleyball program.
Following two of the most successful seasons in Sun Devil Volleyball history, Arizona State head coach JJ Van Niel signed a contract extension, keeping him as the head of the program through 2029.
NCAA Division III
Jess Petricevic named women’s volleyball coach at Maine Maritime Academy.
The Howard Payne University athletic department announced the hiring of Micah Taylor to head Howard Payne’s new beach volleyball program.
Pitt-Greensburg Athletics is pleased to announce the appointment of Holly Saville as the Head Coach of the Volleyball team.
Guilford College Athletics is pleased to announce the addition of Chris Miron as head coach of the Quakers Volleyball program.
NAIA
Lucie Mahelova appointed as new Head Coach of Wayland Baptist Volleyball program.
