Bringing you weekly polls, players of the week, as well as other news pertaining to volleyball
photo from pittpanthers.com
AVCA announces Olivia Babcock of the University of Pittsburgh is the recipient of the 2024 AVCA Division I Player of the Year Award, presented by Nike.
The sophomore was nearly unstoppable throughout the 2024 season, leading the ACC in points per set, kills per set, and aces per set and ranking among the NCAA leaders in those categories. She helped the Panthers go 33-2 and make another NCAA semifinal appearance.
The award was presented today at the AVCA Convention in Louisville, KY, as part of the 2024 AVCA Pro Volleyball Federation All-American/Players of the Year Banquet, presented by Nike.
Beach Volleyball To Begin 13th Season on NCAA Level
Since the inaugural season of NCAA beach volleyball in 2012, which included 15 participating programs. With the addition of four new schools—Sam Houston State, South Florida, Southern Virginia, and Vanguard— to the NCAA ranks this season, there are now over 100 school that participate in Beach Volleyball. There are a number of key events featuring ranked teams, including the Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Beach Classic and the Beach Burg Invitational, over the weekend that will allow teams to get an early look at where they stand.
The sport continues to enjoy a surge in popularity, thanks to an ever-increasing number of participants, coverage, and visibility. Attendance and viewership figures for the NCAA National Collegiate Beach Volleyball Championship rose again in 2024, and the 2025 event—recently relocated from Huntington Beach back to Gulf Shores due to the California wildfires.
Pre-Season Beach Volleyball Poll
ranking-team-1st place in []-total points-record-previous week
1 USC [11] 544, 0-0, N/A
2 TCU [16], 540, 0-0,NA
3 UCLA [1], 529, 0-0, NA
4 Cal Poly [1],488, 0-0,NA
5 Stanford,469 0-0, NA
6 Florida State, 410, 0-0, NA
7 LMU, 399, 0-0, NA
8 LSU, 363, 0-0, NA
9 California, 356, 0-0, NA
10 Long Beach State, 314, 0-0, NA
11 Arizona State, 298 0-0, NA
12 Hawai'i, 250, 0-0, NA
13 Georgia State, 176, 0-0, NA
14 Washington, 157, 0-0, NA
15 Texas, 133, 0-0, NA
16 FAU, 131, 0-0, NA
17 FIU, 94, 0-0, NA
18-T North Florida, 83, 0-0, NA
18-T GCU, 83, 0-0, NA
20 Stetson, 71, 0-0, NA
AVCA announces its 43rd annual All-America teams for Division I women’s volleyball
The 2024 All Americans are 42 players 14 players on first, second and third team honors, 25 schools are represnted. —from 25 schools. Pittsburgh leads the way with three first-team selections and four members on the first three teams, followed by Nebraska with two first-teamers and four total members. Creighton and Stanford each placed three players on the first three teams. There are an additional 55 players on honorable mention.
Lexi Rodriguez of Nebraska and Emma Grome of Kentucky become four-time All-Americans, Rodriguez and Stanford’s Kami Miner both are making their third appearance on the first team. Third-team selection Naya Shime of SMU is the Mustangs’ first player to make one of the first three All-America teams.
First Team
Olivia Babcock, University of Pittsburgh
Brooklyn DeLeye, University of Kentucky
Rachel Fairbanks, University of Pittsburgh
Sarah Franklin, University of Wisconsin
Andi Jackson, University of Nebraska
Kennedy Martin, University of Florida
Kami Miner, Stanford University
Jess Mruzik, Penn State University
Melanie Parra, TCU
Lexi Rodriguez, University of Nebraska
Elia Rubin, Stanford University
Elena Scott, University of Louisville
Torrey Stafford, University of Pittsburgh
Kendra Wait, Creighton University
Second Team
Nina Cajic, University of Tennessee
Raven Colvin, Purdue University
Mimi Colyer, University of Oregon
Anna DeBeer, University of Louisville
Sami Francis, Stanford University
Emma Grome, University of Kentucky
Eva Hudson, Purdue University
Bre Kelley, University of Pittsburgh
Logan Lednicky, Texas A&M University
Harper Murray, University of Nebraska
Bergen Reilly, University of Nebraska
Norah Sis, Creighton University
Madisen Skinner, University of Texas
Izzy Starck, Penn State University
Third Team
Lexie Almodovar, University of Dayton
Charlie Fuerbringer, University of Wisconsin
Flormarie Heredia Colon, University of Miami
Audrey Koenig, Florida State University
Khori Louis, Florida State University
Ava Martin, Creighton University
Onye Ofoegbu, University of Oregon
Alexis Shelton, University of Oklahoma
Naya Shime, Southern Methodist University
Raina Terry, University of Illinois
Mia Tuaniga, University of Southern California
Camryn Turner, University of Kansas
Argentina Ung, Arizona State University
Mychael Vernon, University of Missouri
AVCA announces its 2024 Division I Coaches of the Year; Dan Fisher of Pittsburgh is the Coach of the Year and Brian Rosen of Creighton is the Assistant Coach of the Year. The awards were presented this afternoon at the AVCA/USMC Honors Banquet in Louisville.
Fisher earns the award after leading his 2024 squad to a 33-1 overall record and a fourth-straight NCAA Championship semifinal appearance. His team moved to the top spot in the AVCA/TARAFLEX Poll the second week of the regular season and held that place the rest of the way.
photo from pittpanthers.com
Rosen’s third season on the Creighton staff has been a very memorable one. He helped the 2024 squad advanced to the regional final, finished with 32 victories, and set a record for consecutive home wins (currently 28). The Bluejays also cracked the top five of the AVCA Poll for the first time in school history.
photo from gocreighton.com
American Volleyball Coaches Association announces the second AVCA First Serve event to be hosted at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska, August 22–24, 2025.
AVCA First Serve will mark the official start of the 2025 women’s volleyball season and feature eight of the nation’s top college volleyball teams with six matches over three days.
The 2024 AVCA First Serve, held in Louisville, Kentucky, was a resounding success. The matches showcased the talents of Kentucky, Nebraska, Louisville, and Wisconsin. All four teams reached the regional finals of this year's NCAA Championship, with the Cardinals and Huskers advancing to the national semifinals. Highlights included Louisville's victory over Wisconsin and Nebraska's win against Kentucky, setting the stage for an exciting season.
Tim Savona, General Manager at Pinnacle Bank Arena, expressed his enthusiasm for hosting the 2025 event: “Pinnacle Bank Arena, along with the entire City of Lincoln, couldn’t be more excited to play host to this truly special occasion. Our team has been seeking an opportunity to host NCAA volleyball for the first time, and we are grateful to partner with our friends at Visit Lincoln and the AVCA to make this one-of-a-kind event a reality.”
2024 AVCA DIVISION I REGION COACHES OF THE YEAR
CENTRAL REGION COACH OF THE YEAR
Dawn Sullivan, University of Missouri
2024 Record (as of Dec. 9): 22-8
Sullivan has opened her career at Missouri with a bang. In her first season, she led the Tigers back to the NCAA Tournament, and she has her 2024 squad in the Sweet Sixteen via a four-set win at No. 10 SMU on Friday. Following a nine-match win streak, the Tigers moved into the AVCA coaches’ poll Nov. 11, and they’ve been ranked ever since.
EAST COAST REGION COACH OF THE YEAR
Dan Fisher, University of Pittsburgh
2024 Record (as of Dec. 9): 31-1
The hits just keep on coming for Fisher and the Panthers. Coming of three-consecutive NCAA semifinal appearances, Pittsburgh has been even more dominant in 2024. The veteran coach’s team has rolled to a 31-1 record against a schedule featuring 12 ranked opponents, and they didn’t drop a set in the first month of the season.
MIDWEST REGION COACH OF THE YEAR
Tim Horsmon, University of Dayton
2024 Record (as of Dec. 9): 31-2
Horsmon’s team added to the luster of an already great season over the weekend, as it took down Baylor on the road to earn the school’s first-ever regional appearance in the Division I Championship. He has led the Flyers to 31 wins heading into the 2024 Sweet Sixteen, and he picked up his 400th career victory at UD earlier this season.
NORTH REGION COACH OF THE YEAR
Mike Gawlik, Central Michigan University
2024 Record (as of Dec. 9): 24-7
The recently completed storybook season was Gawlik’s best at Central Michigan. His squad put together the school’s most successful campaign since 1983 by going 24-7 and finishing in second place in the Mid-American Conference with a 15-3 mark in league play. In addition, a record-tying five Chippewa players earned All-MAC honors.
NORTHWEST REGION COACH OF THE YEAR
Dan Georgalas, South Dakota State University
2024 Record (as of Dec. 9): 27-3
Georgalas guided SDSU to one of the nation’s most impressive turnarounds. His team went 9-20 a year ago and rebounded to finish the 2024 campaign with 27 victories, for an incredible 18-win swing. They opened the memorable season by winning their first 22 matches, which made them the last unbeaten team in Division I.
PACIFIC REGION COACH OF THE YEAR
JJ Van Niel, Arizona State University
2024 Record (as of Dec. 9): 30-3
Van Niel makes it two years in a row of earning AVCA Region Coach of the Year honors after leading Arizona State to the 2024 Big 12 title. The team’s 30 victories marked the second-most in program history and the Sun Devils tied a school record with 20 sweeps. They also were ranked No. 8 in the final regular-season AVCA Top 25 Poll.
SOUTH REGION COACH OF THE YEAR
Craig Skinner, University of Kentucky
2024 Record (as of Dec. 9): 22-7
Another year, another Southeastern Conference title for Skinner and the Wildcats. The veteran coach’s 20th squad at Kentucky picked up the school’s eighth-consecutive league crown, no small feat considering they faced a rugged schedule that included nine ranked teams. The Wildcats enter the NCAA regional on a 16-match win streak.
SOUTHEAST REGION COACH OF THE YEAR
Matt Botsford, Florida Gulf Coast University
2024 Record (as of Dec. 9): 27-5
Florida Gulf Coast enjoyed a great season, as Botsford’s 2024 squad tied for the most victories, 24, by an FGCU team in his 11-year tenure. The Eagles captured the A-Sun regular-season and tournament titles, earning an NCAA Championship bid for the fourth-straight season. Botsford also picked up his 250th career coaching win this season.
SOUTHWEST REGION COACH OF THE YEAR
Sam Erger, Southern Methodist University
2024 Record (as of Dec. 9): 25-8
It was a magical season of firsts for Erger and the Mustangs. Her 2024 team made the school’s first appearance in the top 10 in the AVCA Poll, received a program-best No. 2-seed in the NCAA Championship, and hosted an NCAA first- and second-round matches for the first time. SMU also had wins over No. 2 Nebraska and No. 1 Pittsburgh.
WEST REGION COACH OF THE YEAR
Kirsten Bernthal Booth, Creighton University
2024 Record (as of Dec. 9): 31-2
Booth’s Bluejays are enjoying a record-setting 2024 campaign. They moved into the top five of the AVCA Poll for the first time ever, set a record for consecutive home wins (currently 28), and have tied the highest win total (31) during Booth’s 22 years at Creighton. The coach picked up her 500th career win in last week’s NCAA first-round match.
AVCA All Region Teams
CENTRAL REGION
Caroline Bien University of Kansas OH Sr.
Aliyah Carter Kansas State University OH Gr.
Marina Crownover University of Missouri SRS -So.
London Davis University of Kansas RS Sr.
Jordan Iliff University of Missouri RS Sr.
LydiaMartyn University of Oklahoma MB Gr.
Toyosi Onabanjo University of Kansas MB Sr.
Jurnee Robinson Louisiana State University OH So.
Maya Sands University of Missouri L Jr.
Alexis Shelton University of Oklahoma OH Jr.
Morgan Stout Wichita State University MB RS-Sr.
Camryn Turner University of Kansas S Sr.
Mychael Vernon University of Missouri OH Gr.
Jada Wills Drake University L Gr.
Player of the Year: Mychael Vernon, University of Missouri, OH, Gr.
Coach of the Year: Dawn Sullivan, University of Missouri
EAST COAST REGION
Olivia Babcock University of Pittsburgh RS So.
Rachel Fairbanks University of Pittsburgh S Sr.
Camryn Hannah Penn State University OH Gr.
Ryla Jones University of Pittsburgh MB Fr.
Bre Kelley University of Pittsburgh MBRS -Jr.
EmmyKlika University of Pittsburgh L Sr.
Rya McKinnon Howard University OH Jr.
JessMruzik Penn State University OH Gr.
Amanda Rice North Carolina State University RS Sr.
Mabrey Shaffmaster University of North Carolina OH Sr.
Torrey Stafford University of Pittsburgh OH So.
Izzy Starck Penn State University S Fr.
TaylorTrammell Penn State University MB Sr.
Valeria Vazquez Gomez University of Pittsburgh OH Sr.
Player of the Year: Olivia Babcock, University of Pittsburgh, RS, So.
Freshman of the Year: Izzy Starck, Penn State University, S
Coach of the Year: Dan Fisher, University of Pittsburgh
MIDWEST REGION
Lexie Almodovar University of Dayton OHRS Sr.
Chloe Chicoine Purdue University OH So.
Raven Colvin Purdue University MB Sr.
Ramsey Gary Indiana University L So.
Camryn Haworth Indiana University S Sr.
Lauryn Hovey Bowling Green State University RS Jr.
Eva Hudson Purdue University OH Jr.
Emily Londot Ohio State University OH Gr.
Alyssa Miller University of Dayton S Sr.
Jill Pressly DePaul University OH Gr.
Panna Ratkai Purdue University Fort Wayne OHRS So.
Liana Sarkissian University of Dayton MB Jr.
Raina Terry University of Illinois OH Gr.
Lauren Yacobucci Wright State University S So.
Player of the Year: Eva Hudson, Purdue University, OH, Jr.
Freshman of the Year: Carson Tyler, Ball State University, OH
Coach of the Year: Tim Horsmon, University of Dayton
NORTH REGION
Yadhira Anchante Marquette University S Gr.
Carter Booth University of Wisconsin MB Jr.
Hattie Bray Marquette University MB Sr.
Logan Case Western Michigan University S Sr.
Kamryn Chaney Princeton University OH So.
Carly Diehl Yale University S Sr.
Sarah Franklin University of Wisconsin OH Sr.
Charlie Fuerbringer University of Wisconsin S Fr.
Julia Haggerty Boston College MB Sr.
Aubrey Hamilton Marquette University OHRS Sr.
Tsvetelina Ilieva Binghamton University OH Sr.
Erin Jones St. John's University RS/S Jr.
Andelyn Simkins Western Michigan University L Sr.
Anna Smrek University of Wisconsin MB Sr.
Player of the Year: Sarah Franklin, University of Wisconsin, OH, Sr.
Freshman of the Year: Charlie Fuerbringer, University of Wisconsin, S
Coach of the Year: Mike Gawlik, Central Michigan University
NORTHWEST REGION
Phoebe Awoleye University of Minnesota MB Gr.
Paige Bartsch Boise State University RS Sr.
Emoni Bush University of Washington OH Jr.
Cristin Cline University of Oregon SRS Fr.
Mimi Colyer University of Oregon OH Jr.
Lydia Grote University of Minnesota RSRS Sr.
Julia Hanson University of Minnesota OH Jr.
Mackenzie Morris University of Oregon L Sr.
Onye Ofoegbu University of Oregon MBRS Sr.
Michelle Ohwobete University of Oregon OH Sr.
Katy Ryan Washington State University RS Sr.
Melani Shaffmaster University of Minnesota SRS Sr.
Sydni Schetnan South Dakota State University MBRS Jr.
Sylvie Zgonc South Dakota State University OH So.
Player of the Year: Mimi Colyer, University of Oregon, OH, Jr.
Freshman of the Year: Julia Hunt, University of Washington, MB
Coach of the Year: Dan Georgalas, South Dakota State University
PACIFIC REGION
Caylen Alexander University of Hawaii OH Jr.
Ally Batenhorst University of Southern California OH Gr.
Geli Cyr Arizona State University OH Sr.
Anna Dodson UCLA MB Gr.
Sami Francis Stanford University MB Sr.
Jordyn Harvey Stanford University RS So.
Claire Jeter Arizona State University MB Gr.
Cheridyn Leverette UCLA OH Jr.
Kami Miner Stanford University S Sr.
Elena Oglivie Stanford University L Sr.
Elia Rubin Stanford University OH Jr.
Mary Shroll Arizona State University L Gr.
Mia Tuaniga University of Southern California S Sr.
Argentina Ung Arizona State University S Gr.
Player of the Year: Kami Miner, Stanford University, S, Sr.
Freshman of the Year: Avery Scoggins, University of Arizona, S
Coach of the Year: JJ Van Niel, Arizona State University
SOUTH REGION
Callie Bauer Western Kentucky University SRS Jr.
Nina Cajic University of Tennessee OH Gr.
Kaylee Cox Western Kentucky University OH Sr.
Cara Cresse University of Louisville MBRS Jr.
Anna DeBeer University of Louisville OH Gr.
Brooklyn DeLeye University of Kentucky OH So.
Keondreya Granberry University of Tennessee MB Jr.
Emma Grome University of Kentucky S Sr.
Caroline Kerr University of Tennessee SRS So.
Charitie Luper University of Louisville OH Sr.
Elena Scott University of Louisville L Sr.
Mokihana Tufono University of Mississippi S Jr.
Molly Tuozzo University of Kentucky L So.
Nia Washington University of Mississippi OH Jr.
Player of the Year: Brooklyn DeLeye, University of Kentucky, OH, So.
Freshman of the Year: Nayelis Cabello, University of Louisville, S
Coach of the Year: Craig Skinner, University of Kentucky
SOUTHEAST REGION
Maria Clara Andrade University of South Florida OH Jr.
Jaela Auguste University of Florida MB Fr.
Bianca Bertolino Georgia Tech OH Sr.
Sophie Fischer University of Georgia MB Gr.
Flormarie Heredia Colon University of Miami OH Jr.
Shelby Kent Florida Gulf Coast University OH Sr.
Audrey Koenig Florida State University OH Sr.
Grace Lopez University of Miami OH So.
Khori Louis Florida State University MB Sr.
Kennedy Martin University of Florida RS So.
1stElliMcKissockUniversity of FloridaLSr.
Tamara Otene Georgia Tech OH Sr.
Jalyn Stout Coastal Carolina University S Gr.
Riley Whitesides University of South Carolina OH Gr.
Player of the Year: Kennedy Martin, University of Florida, RS, So.
Freshman of the Year: Jaela Auguste, University of Florida, MB
Coach of the Year: Matt Botsford, Florida Gulf Coast University
SOUTHWEST REGION
IfennaCos-Okpalla Texas A&M University MB Jr.
Celia Cullen Southern Methodist University S Gr.
Brianna Ford University of Texas Arlington RS Gr.
Kate Georgiades University of Houston L Gr.
Jalyn Gibson TCU OH Jr.
Logan Lednicky Texas A&M University RS Jr.
Elise McGhee Baylor University OH Sr.
Melanie Parra TCU OH Sr.
Paige Reagor University of Texas Arlington MB Gr.
Naya Shime Southern Methodist University RS Gr.
Marianna Singletary University of Texas MBRS So.
Madisen Skinner University of Texas OH Sr.
Kaya Weaver University of Texas El Paso MB Jr.
Samantha Wunsch Texas State University OH Jr.
Player of the Year: Melanie Parra, TCU, OH, Sr.
Freshman of the Year: Ayden Ames, University of Texas, MB
Coach of the Year: Sam Erger, Southern Methodist University
WEST REGION
Merritt Beason University of Nebraska OH Sr.
Maddy Bilinovic Creighton University L Sr.
Syd Cole University of Northern Colorado S Gr.
Kamryn Gibadlo University of Utah OH So.
Elise Goetzinger Creighton University MB Sr.
Andi Jackson University of Nebraska MB So.
Malaya Jones Colorado State University RSRS Sr.
Claire Little Brigham Young University OH So.
Ava Martin Creighton University OH Jr.
Harper Murray University of Nebraska OH So.
Bergen Reilly University of Nebraska S So.
Lexi Rodriguez University of Nebraska L Sr.
Norah Sis Creighton University OH Sr
Kendra Wait Creighton University S Sr.
Player of the Year: Lexi Rodriguez, University of Nebraska, L, Sr.
Freshman of the Year: Alex Bower, Brigham Young University, S
Coach of the Year: Kirsten Bernthal Booth, Creighton University
The AVCA-USMC Battles Won Award recognizes volleyball players and coaches who are overcoming obstacles on and off the court.
As part of this award, which is in its second year, the AVCA gathered nominations and is proud to present the stories of 16 individuals—six coaches and 10 players—in the volleyball community who have faced hardships and come back strong.
Their stories are being shared over six weeks this fall, and Week One includes profiles of coach Leo Sayles and players Stephanie Moreau and Josiah Reif.
The American Volleyball Coaches Association is pleased to announce its 2024 recipients of the Diversity Awards, Coaches 4 Coaches Program, and Demonstrator Scholarships. Through those three programs, 83 individuals will get to experience the AVCA Convention for free.
“It is exciting for us to be bringing the next generation of volleyball coaches to our Convention in Louisville this December,” says AVCA CEO Jaime Gordon. “We are very appreciative to everyone in the volleyball community who has contributed to our scholarship programs and made it possible for a record-number of recipients to attend the 2024 Convention.”
During the event, which is Dec. 18-22, the scholarship winners will participate in a series of educational seminars—many of which focus on professional and personal development for coaches—and take part in additional networking and relationship-building sessions.
The American Volleyball Coaches Association is pleased to announce its 2024 Hall of Fame class: Barry Goldberg, Kathy Gregory, Hugh McCutcheon, and Joe Sagula.
These four legendary volleyball coaches, bring the number oAVCA Hall of Fame to 101. This year’s induction ceremony will take place Thursday, Dec. 19, during the 2024 AVCA Convention in Louisville, Kentucky.
Goldberg spent 34 years building the program at American University. The Eagles’ head coach led his teams to 16 Patriot League titles and 18 NCAA Tournament appearances, including advancing to the Sweet 16 in 2013.
Gregory coached at UC Santa Barbara from 1974-2013 and made the Gauchos a national contender. Her teams were regularly ranked in the AVCA polls and became a fixture in NCAA postseason play, making 27 NCAA championship appearances.
McCutcheon cast a large presence over the volleyball community at the international and U.S. collegiate levels, serving as both the U.S. men’s and women’s national team coach before he took the reins at the University of Minnesota.
Sagula made his mark as head women’s volleyball coach, first at the University of Pennsylvania and then at the University of North Carolina. Across his four-plus decades at the schools, he amassed 865 career wins.