AVCA Match Point Brings Elite College Volleyball to JVA World Challenge Weekend in Louisville
LOUISVILLE, KY. – October 9, 2026 – One of the biggest weekends in junior volleyball is getting even bigger.
The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) and Intersport announced the launch of AVCA Match Point, a new elite women’s collegiate volleyball event taking place April 10-11, 2027, at Freedom Hall in Louisville, Kentucky. The event will take place alongside the JVA World Challenge and JVA 18U National Championship, bringing some of the top collegiate programs in the country together in the same city as thousands of junior volleyball athletes, coaches, and families.
The inaugural AVCA Match Point field currently includes Nebraska, Louisville, Kentucky, Pittsburgh, Stanford and Wisconsin, with two additional programs still to be announced. All six announced teams were ranked among the top 15 in the Sept. 28 AVCA-Taraflex Division I Women’s Volleyball Poll, including five programs ranked inside the top six.
For JVA athletes, the addition creates another unique opportunity to experience high-level volleyball during an already packed championship weekend.
“Having this level of collegiate volleyball happening alongside the JVA World Challenge and 18U National Championships creates an incredible environment for our athletes and families,” said JVA Executive Director Lisa Wielebnicki. “Our players will be competing in one of the largest junior volleyball events in the country while also having the opportunity to see some of the best collegiate programs in the sport. It brings multiple levels of the volleyball community together in one place.”
A Full Weekend of Volleyball in Louisville
The JVA World Challenge and JVA 18U National Championship will take place April 9-11, bringing over 1,200 junior volleyball teams from across the country to Louisville.
AVCA Match Point will begin Saturday, April 10, with each collegiate team competing twice before returning Sunday for a third match. The eight-team event will use a bracketed format, creating three matches of spring competition for every participating program.
The combination of elite junior and collegiate volleyball gives athletes competing at the JVA World Challenge and JVA 18U National Championship the chance to see the next level of the game firsthand without leaving the championship weekend.
This event also creates opportunities for coaches, families, and volleyball fans to experience even more of the sport throughout their time in Louisville.
Connecting the Next Generation of Volleyball
The addition of AVCA Match Point reflects the continued growth of volleyball nationwide and the increasing opportunities being created across every level of the sport.
For JVA, having the event take place during World Challenge and the JVA 18U National Championship weekend creates a natural connection between athletes currently developing in junior volleyball and collegiate programs competing at the one of the highest levels of the game.
Additional information regarding the final two participating teams, match schedule, television coverage, NIL programming and ticket availability will be announced by the AVCA.
About Junior Volleyball Association
Junior Volleyball Association (JVA) is the only national association that’s 100% focused on junior volleyball and the needs of the club community. Our mission is simple: improve the junior volleyball experience and Better the Ball. Founded in 2006 by Club Directors and for Club Directors, JVA supports over 1,900 member clubs with resources, events, education, and advocacy that help the sport grow in the right direction. With a focus on innovation and inclusivity, JVA empowers clubs to lead with purpose on and off the court, while also providing an unmatched event experience at JVA hosted tournaments. Follow @jvavolleyball on Instagram.
