In 2007, a group of clubs came together to create a new championship event. That collaboration led to the formation of what is now JVA, an organization of nearly 1,800 junior volleyball clubs dedicated to improving the junior volleyball experience for clubs, Coaches, athletes, and the broader volleyball community.

It all began with the collaboration of Club Directors.

More than 40% of clubs host tournaments, and one-third of clubs own or lease their own facility. This represents a significant opportunity for our sport to continue growing and creating more opportunities for competition.

As the junior volleyball industry continues to expand, we can learn from successful models and work to replicate those strategies in clubs and regions across the country.

Clubs and teams at all levels recognize the benefits of a power league: matched competition, a consistent tournament schedule, scheduling predictability, and reduced travel and participation costs.

The collaboration among clubs is arguably the most challenging benefit to establish and maintain, but it is essential to the long-term success of any power league. The Mideast Power League, formed in 2010, is one of the most competitive junior volleyball power leagues in the country.

Background information on the Mideast Power League:

Original Partners: KIVA, Munciana, TI & Team Z.
Original Locations: Louisville, Yorktown, Indianapolis, Cincinnati.
Competitive divisions for 12U–18U
Play Dates: 3 weekends – early January, late January, Late February. Each location hosts a different age group each weekend.
Current Locations: Louisville, Yorktown, Indianapolis.
Participation numbers: 149 teams in 2010. 183 teams in 2026.

51 Top-10 National Championship finishes in 2026
6 AAU & USAV National Championships represented in 2026
40 Top-10 National Championship finishes in 2016
22 To-10 National Championship finishes in 2011

From the MEPL’s inception, each host club played an important role in its success, from managing the schedule and website, to handling operations, and advertising and awards.

The strength of competition makes the power league a huge draw, as well as the rotation of playing sites. Everyone understands some stop will come closer to home.

The JVA has been instrumental in helping its member clubs unite and work together, to be one voice for advocacy, and to grow the game at the regional and national level. Another example is the Southeast Alliance Volleyball League.

In 2014 the SAVL (Southeast Alliance Volleyball League) formed with the help of the JVA.  Its current member clubs are Upward Stars, Grand Strand Juniors, Magnum, Xcel, Carolina Islanders, MVP, and Axis Elite.

“Jenny and the JVA were instrumental in helping us form the league” states Grand Strand Juniors Club Director Alex Sing. “They gave us the resources and confidence needed to run successful tournaments.”

“The SAVL originated from a group of clubs who were committed to raising the level of play in our region. Our goal was to compete nationally and not be content with success locally. We researched what other national level clubs were doing and came across the JVA and its Power leagues like the MEPL and GLPL.”

7 of the original 9 members are still involved in the SAVL and use the power league events as their core schedule each season. The league manages both a Club Level and a Power Level schedule with a season ending Championship event. The SAVL Club Level consists of 5 tournaments and the Championships. There is an average of 90 teams participating in the Club Level events. The SAVL Power Level consists of 3 tournaments and the Championships, with an average of 85 teams participating in Power Level events. The SAVL locations are Spartanburg, Greenville, Myrtle Beach, and Columbia SC and Hendersonville and Charlotte, NC.

Like the MEPL, the SAVL’s success relies on the collaboration of clubs. The league selects a manager to run the day to day from among the member clubs. All members have input on larger decisions for the league.

SAVL Accomplishments over 4 years:

5 National Champions
45 + top 10 finishes at AAU Nationals
Draws top teams from across the south to compete

The MEPL, and now the SAVL are examples of the power of clubs uniting together to increase the level of competition and also to enhance the individual clubs’ successes. Although the clubs are competitors on the court, they reap the numerous benefits as a result of collaborating and sharing responsibilities with their competing clubs.

“While we know that we will compete fiercely on the courts, we have also found great strength in working together to better the junior volleyball experience” shares JVA Executive Director Jenny Hahn. “ JVA promotes the unity of JVA member clubs. By growing our membership, we will grow the strength of our voice and be able to have a stronger impact on our sport. We invite all clubs to be JVA – All United.”

The MEPL and SAVL are both insured by the JVA, and because of this, teams of any affiliation can participate and will be insured. For related reading on running a junior volleyball club click here. For related reading on junior volleyball events click here. To learn more about Power Leagues click here.