STANFORD, Calif. - Stanford women's volleyball is one of eight programs set to participate in the first American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Match Point event, being held April 10-11 at Freedom Hall in Louisville, Kentucky.
The AVCA is partnering with Intersport in a partnership to continue to elevate the game of volleyball by creating new events and opportunities that amplify the sport throughout the year.
The creation of the AVCA Match Point event will feature perennial championship contenders, including Stanford, Kentucky, Louisville, Nebraska, Pittsburgh and Wisconsin, with two additional programs to be announced at a later date. Both the AVCA and Intersport will combine their efforts to bolster existing early season events, including the AVCA First Serve and the State Farm Volleyball Showcase, next season and beyond.
AVCA Match Point will bring together many of the sport’s premier programs for a weekend of high-level spring competition, creating another national platform during a traditionally open window in the college sports calendar. It will feature a bracketed format, with each team playing three matches over the two-day event. Each school will compete twice April 10 before returning for a third match April 11.
“Volleyball has tremendous momentum, and our partnership with Intersport will help us build on it by creating more opportunities for athletes, coaches and fans to engage with the sport throughout the year,” said Jaime Gordon, CEO of the AVCA. “AVCA Match Point is an important first step. It brings some of the best programs in the country together for meaningful spring competition and gives fans another reason to connect with our sport. We believe there is still tremendous room for volleyball to grow, and high-quality events like this helps move the sport forward.”
The six announced programs are among the most accomplished in college volleyball. Stanford leads the field with a nation-best nine NCAA championships.
“This partnership with the AVCA reflects our shared belief in volleyball’s continued growth and the value of creating more stages for the sport’s athletes and programs,” said Intersport Senior Vice President Mark Starsiak. “Intersport and the AVCA were the first organizations to prioritize these significant exposure opportunities for women’s volleyball with the AVCA First Serve and the State Farm Volleyball Showcase both launching in 2024. Our shared vision of growing the sport is further demonstrated by launching AVCA Match Point alongside the JVA World Challenge, one of the largest and most anticipated grassroots events on the youth calendar. Bringing elite collegiate programs and the youth volleyball community together creates a unique opportunity to deepen connections among players, coaches and fans of all ages.”
Check out the AVCA Match Point website for further updates regarding the final two participating programs, match schedule, television coverage, NIL programming and ticket details.
About Intersport
Intersport is an award-winning agency that fills the space between marketing campaigns and consumers, helping brands make more meaningful connections. Its industry-leading team offers expertise in content marketing, experiential marketing, hospitality, partnership consulting and platform development. The Chicago-based agency also owns and operates events across the professional and collegiate sports landscape, including basketball, football, golf, pickleball and volleyball. Intersport has been headquartered in Chicago since its inception in 1985 and has an additional office in Detroit. Learn more at www.intersport.global and on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.
About the American Volleyball Coaches Association
Founded in 1981, the American Volleyball Coaches Association works to advance volleyball by placing coaches at the center of leadership, advocacy and professional development. Its membership includes more than 10,000 coaches and industry partners across the collegiate, professional, high school, club, youth and Olympic levels. The AVCA provides educational and professional development opportunities, recognizes elite players and coaches, promotes volleyball competition and supports a professional network committed to growing the sport at every level. Learn more at www.avca.org.