NAPERVILLE, ILLINOIS (May 18, 2026)– JVA is pleased to announce the male and female student athletes named the 2026 JVA AthLeaders powered by VKTRY Performance Insoles.  The 25 distinguished honorees display academic excellence, leadership, responsibility, and acts of selflessness, in addition to exceptional volleyball performance.

“The JVA AthLeader Award recognizes a special group of athletes who understand that success is not defined by wins alone. These 25 student-athletes have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to leadership, academics, service, and personal growth while continuing to pursue excellence on the court. They are the students asking thoughtful questions, leading by example, supporting their teammates, and finding ways to make a positive impact in their schools and communities. We are proud to celebrate these athletes for the character, discipline, and integrity they bring to everything they do.” said JVA Executive Director, Lisa Wielebnicki.

The JVA AthLeaders powered by VKTRY Performance Insoles were nominated by a JVA Club Director during the nomination period in April. Recipients will be presented with a distinguished award for their achievement.

“VKTRY is proud to support the next generation of leaders through the 2026 JVA AthLeader Award. These student athletes are not only dedicated to their sport, they give back to their local communities and high schools, and we’re committed to helping them stay at the top of their game,” said Travis Descoteaux, Director, Partnerships & Endorsements.

Made from full-length, 100% aerospace-grade carbon fiber, VKTRY Insoles (“VKs”) are engineered to help return energy with each step — designed to support athletic performance by helping with explosiveness, vertical jumps, and quicker movements.

Athletes often report feeling more springy on takeoff, more stable when cutting or landing, and more supported through high-impact training sessions. VKs are built to help absorb impact and promote smoother landings, which may support more confident and comfortable movement over the course of a long season.

Thousands of professional and collegiate athletes trust VKTRY Insoles to help them feel more explosive, stay supported, and perform at their best.

All JVA AthLeaders  will receive preferred pricing through a seamless process for athletes to access their own VKs.

View more information on the JVA AthLeader Award.

About VKTRY Performance Insoles
VKTRY Insoles are the only carbon fiber performance insoles scientifically proven to help volleyball players jump higher, move quicker, and reduce lower leg injuries. Trusted by thousands of collegiate and professional volleyball athletes, VKTRY Insoles provide unmatched energy return, stability, and shock absorption to help players perform at their best. Whether attacking, blocking, or making explosive defensive plays, VKTRY gives athletes the competitive edge they need on the court. For more information and to purchase VKTRY products, visit VKTRY.com

About 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.

Elisabeth Adolfsson
Elisabeth Adolfsson2027 Outside Hitter
Mill City Volleyball Club
Sudbury, MA
GPA: 3.94
Aubrey Bauer
Aubrey Bauer2028 Outside Hitter
Pittsburgh Elite Volleyball
Pittsburgh, PA
GPA: 4.10
Desmond Brooks
Desmond Brooks2028 Setter
Lakas Volleyball Club
Union City, CA
GPA: 4.00
Committed: Clemson Univ.
Abriana Bruns
Abriana Bruns2026 Libero/DS
Sky High Volleyball
Johnsburg, IL
GPA: 3.98
Committed: Monmouth College
Marco Budzak
Marco Budzak2026 Outside Hitter
630 Volleyball
Lisle, IL
GPA: 4.40
Phillip Burton-Boone
Phillip Burton-Boone2026 Outside Hitter
Mintonette Sports
Delaware, OH
GPA: 4.32
Riley Caruso
Riley Caruso2027 Setter
Carolina Union Volleyball
Concord, NC
GPA: 4.30
Committed: US Military Academy at West Point
MollyAnn Caulfield
MollyAnn Caulfield2027 Middle Blocker
NorStar Volleyball Club
Los Altos, CA
GPA: 4.71
Ashley Dienes
Ashley Dienes2026 Middle Blocker
East Carolina Jrs. VBC
Wilson, NC
GPA: 4.50
Committed: Presbyterian College
Aaheli Dubey
Aaheli Dubey2027 Libero/DS
Austin Junior Volleyball
Lakeway, TX
GPA: 4.40
Ava Garofolo
Ava Garofolo2028 Middle Blocker
Triangle Volleyball Club
Morrisville, NC
GPA: 4.50
Hanna Hsu
Hanna Hsu2028 Outside Hitter
Stormbreaker Volleyball Club
Temple City, CA
GPA: 4.00
Lucinda (Lucy) Kulka
Lucinda (Lucy) Kulka2027 Opposite
CMASS Juniors
Wellesley, MA
GPA: 3.90
Om Kumar
Om Kumar2027 Opposite
Triangle Volleyball Club
Morrisville, NC
GPA: 3.81
Zoe Lee
Zoe Lee2028 Setter
Stormbreaker Volleyball Club
San Gabriel, CA
GPA: 4.00
Mina Lee-Hwong
Mina Lee-Hwong2027 Outside Hitter
Santa Cruz Beach Club
Palo Alto, CA
GPA: 4.70
Alexis Leo
Alexis Leo2027 Libero/DS
Mountain View Club
San Francisco, CA
GPA: 4.53
Ella Liu
Ella Liu2027 Setter
Sky High Volleyball
Lincolnshire, IL
GPA: 3.86
Sam Mertens
Sam Mertens2027 Libero/DS
Mamba Volleyball Club
Sussex, WI
GPA: 4.20
Paige Miszkewycz
Paige Miszkewycz2028 Setter
SynergyForce Volleyball Club
Newcastle, CA
GPA: 4.70
Connor Morrissey
Connor Morrissey2028 Libero/DS
MAVS Boys Volleyball
Overland Park, KS
GPA: 4.71
Sienna Oliver
Sienna Oliver2029 Outside Hitter
SynergyForce Volleyball Club
Roseville, CA
GPA: 4.00
Luke Park
Luke Park2026 Opposite
Northeast Volleyball Club
Shelton, CT
GPA: 4.00
Maddie Peltzer
Maddie Peltzer2027 Outside Hitter
Fury
Glenside, PA
GPA: 4.00
Taniya Jai Radden
Taniya Jai Radden2026 Middle Blocker
MVA Rise Academy
Grand Rapids, MI
GPA: 3.97
Committed: Albion College