(Naperville, IL) Junior Volleyball Association (JVA), the leading organization focused solely on junior volleyball, announced a strategic alliance aimed at transforming the club-to-college experience for student-athletes, families, and club programs nationwide. Central to this collaboration is the integration of The Playbook™, a comprehensive educational club-to-college app designed to simplify and modernize the path to college athletics and the club experience.

This relationship reflects a shared commitment between JVA and HBC to provide the volleyball community with greater clarity, structure, and access in navigating an increasingly complex recruiting landscape. By pairing JVA’s expansive national network with HBC’s strategic advisory experience and The Playbook’s innovative technology and educational content, the initiative introduces a new standard for recruiting education and support.

A Smarter Approach from Club-to-College

The Playbook app serves as a centralized, all-in-one platform that empowers athletes and families with the tools, knowledge, and guidance needed to make informed decisions throughout the journey from club-to-college. Built with a user-first mindset, the app delivers:

  • Step-by-Step Recruiting Guidance: Personalized pathways that break down what to do and when—providing structure at every stage of the journey.
  • Comprehensive School Search: Access to a broad database of colleges across all levels, helping athletes identify programs aligned with their academic and athletic goals.
  • Interactive Playbook & Progress Tracking: A dynamic dashboard to organize milestones, monitor progress, and stay on track.
  • Coach Communication Tools: Proven templates and strategies to help athletes engage confidently and professionally with college programs.
  • On-Demand Educational Content: Expert-led insights and video learning modules that simplify recruiting education, legal content, timelines, and best practices.
Meaningful Impact for the Entire Ecosystem

This alliance is built to serve every stakeholder in the club-to-college process:

  • Athletes gain confidence, direction, and ownership of their recruiting journey with clear, actionable guidance.
  • Families benefit from transparency and education, reducing uncertainty and empowering better decisions.
  • Recruiting Coordinators and Club Directors are equipped with a scalable, consistent organizational framework to support athletes across their programs while enhancing outcomes and efficiency.

“At JVA, our priority has always been to elevate the experience for our athletes, families, and club programs by providing trusted, meaningful resources,” said Lisa Wielebnicki. “Through our strategic alliance with Husch Blackwell Consulting and the integration of The Playbook™, we are delivering a more structured, transparent, and educational approach to the club-to-college process. This collaboration brings together expertise, innovation, and scale in a way that will empower our community to navigate an increasingly complex landscape with greater confidence and clarity.”

Raising the Standard

As the recruiting environment continues to evolve, this relationship underscores a forward-thinking approach—one that prioritizes education, accessibility, and athlete empowerment. Together, JVA and HBC are redefining how the club-to-college journey is experienced, ensuring that every athlete has access to a clear and supported path forward.

Club Directors, Coaches and Staff are invited to register for the informational webinar this Thursday June 11th at 9:00AM Central Time to learn how the integration of The Playbook™ can transform the club-to-college experience for your student-athletes, families, and club program. This webinar will dive into the comprehensive club-to-college educational app designed to simplify and modernize the path to college athletics. The webinar will be recorded and shared with all registered attendees.

“The alliance between JVA and Husch Blackwell Consulting represents a meaningful step forward in elevating the club-to-college experience, said Billy Ebel, Senior Athletic Consultant for Husch Blackwell Consulting. Together, we are creating a more informed, structured, and connected pathway for athletes, parents, and club leaders—one that goes far beyond moments of visibility and truly supports long-term development and decision-making. By aligning resources, education, and technology, we have an opportunity to enhance how families navigate this process, giving them clarity, confidence, and a stronger foundation for what comes next.”

About Husch Blackwell Consulting
Husch Blackwell Consulting (HBC) is the strategic advisory arm of Husch Blackwell LLP, operating as a wholly owned subsidiary that delivers non-legal consulting services to complement the firm’s deep legal expertise. It brings together industry insight, data-driven strategy, and technical expertise to help organizations navigate complexity and advance critical initiatives with confidence, while working in close alignment with one of the nation’s leading law firms to provide a more integrated, forward-looking approach to problem-solving.

For more information or to learn more about The Playbook™, please visit https://jva.playbook.courses/ or contact theplaybook@huschblackwellconsulting.com.

About the Junior Volleyball Association
Junior Volleyball Association (JVA) is focused exclusively on junior volleyball and the needs of the club community. Since 2006, JVA has worked to improve the junior volleyball experience by supporting a growing network of nearly 1,800 member clubs while continuing its mission to ‘Better the Ball’ at every level. Built by Club Directors for Club Directors, JVA provides resources, events, education, and advocacy to help the sport grow in the right direction. Known for a more innovative and forward-thinking approach than traditional governing bodies, JVA continues to push the game forward by introducing new ideas, elevating the event experience, and creating opportunities that reflect where the sport is going, not where it’s been. Learn more at www.jvavolleyball.org or follow @jvavolleyball on all social media platforms.