LOVB Clubs volleyball programs were represented among the American Volleyball Coaches Association Club Awards and Winners Circle honorees for the 2025-26 season, announced Oct. 2, 2026.
A5 Volleyball produced two Club Awards honorees. Karen Arndt was named 13s Coach of the Year, while Stephen Sansing was named 16s Coach of the Year.
FC Elite also had a Club Awards honoree, with Steve Scheuerell selected as 14s Coach of the Year.
Three coaches receive AVCA Club Awards
The American Volleyball Coaches Association honors one coach from each girls age division from 12s through 18s. The organization also recognizes a Club Director of the Year, a Boys Club Director of the Year and a Boys Coach of the Year.
Arndt also appears in the Winners Circle listings as A5 Volleyball’s 13s girls coach. A5 Volleyball is additionally represented by Calvin Kehoe as director and Gabe Aramian as the 16s girls coach.
Winners Circle includes three clubs
The AVCA Winners Circle club list was established in 2023. To qualify, a team must win at least 70% of its matches, compete at USAV, AAU or JVA Nationals, and have a team coach or club director who is an AVCA member.
Alabama Performance is represented by Julie Dailey as director and 18s girls coach, along with Victoria Peacock as the 15s girls coach. Stars Carolinas is represented by Corey Helle as director and the 17s and 18s boys coach.
The Winners Circle listings include both girls and boys volleyball programs. The recognition also places A5 Volleyball in both the Club Awards and Winners Circle announcements, while FC Elite, Alabama Performance and Stars Carolinas are represented in the honors.
Honorees to be celebrated in December
The American Volleyball Coaches Association will celebrate the honorees at the AVCA Convention in December. The event will recognize the coaches and directors selected for the Club Awards and Winners Circle.
The announcement gives LOVB Clubs representation across individual coaching awards, club director listings and girls and boys age-group programs. The recognized clubs are A5 Volleyball, FC Elite, Alabama Performance and Stars Carolinas.
FSB Take
LOVB Clubs volleyball programs earned recognition across the 2026 American Volleyball Coaches Association Club Awards and Winners Circle. A5 Volleyball led the Club Awards results with honors for Karen Arndt and Stephen Sansing, while the Winners Circle listings included directors and coaches from A5 Volleyball, Alabama Performance and Stars Carolinas.
Source: Original report