Did you ever wish you could spend an hour asking questions and picking the brain of one of the top coaches in our sport? The 2025 AVCA Convention schedule boasts several small group learning opportunities where you can do just that! All small group sessions are limited to 30 coaches to create dialogue opportunities and the most intimate learning environment possible. Invitations to sign up in advance will be sent out to coaches registered by the November 7 standard registration pricing deadline.
Learning Labs
Learning Labs are small group education sessions led by some of the top coaches in volleyball that allow participants to ask directed questions and dig deeper into a specific topic. Learning Labs are designed to be informal discussions between the topic expert and attendees to share insights, find solutions to problems, and talk shop.
Mentoring Workshop
The Match Point Mentoring Workshop provides the opportunity for veteran coaches and less experienced coaches to meet in small groups and share ideas for personal and professional growth. The workshop is scheduled 1:15 – 2:15 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 19 in KCCC 2207. During the workshop mentees will have the chance to visit with veteran coaches in small groups and gain insight and learn about the sport from multiple perspectives. Participants in the Match Point Mentoring Program will be sent additional details this fall.
Book Club
Discuss, debate, and learn from each other during Book Club sessions at the convention. Check the convention schedule for specific book titles that will be discussed and come prepared to share your perspective and consider different views. Each session will have either the book author or a leader to help facilitate the discussion.
Coaching Camps
Coaching Camps provide an opportunity for small group discussion and learning where no question is off limits!
2025 Small Group Schedule
Thursday, December 18, 2025
- 1:45–2:30 p.m. — On-Court Learning Lab with Michelle Collier
- 1:45–2:30 p.m. — Good Talk About Good Coaching (Eduardo Fiallos)
- 2:45–3:30 p.m. — Coaching Camp with Karch Kiraly
- 2:45–3:30 p.m. — TAP Assessment Debrief
- 3:45–4:30 p.m. — Coaching Camp with Megan Wargo-Kearney
- 3:45–4:30 p.m. — Lessons I’ve Learned (Anders Nelson)
- 3:45–4:30 p.m. — Measuring What Matters – Designing Performance Metrics (Eduardo Fiallos)
Friday, December 19, 2025
- 1:15–2:15 p.m. — Coaching Camp with Michelle Collier
- 1:15–2:15 p.m. — Being Authentic as a Coach (Charita Stubbs)
- 1:15–2:15 p.m. — Mentoring Huddle (TBD)
- 2:30–3:30 p.m. — Coaching Camp with Matt Ulmer
- 2:30–3:30 p.m. — Wearing Two Hats: Parenting and Coaching (Lindsey Behonick)
- 2:30–3:30 p.m. — Empowering African American Male Coaches in Collegiate Volleyball: Challenges, Opportunities, and Strategies (Brandon Reeves)
- 3:45–4:50 p.m. — Coaching Camp with Sam Erger
- 3:45–4:50 p.m. — Trash Talk & Mental Toughness (Rafi Kohan)
Saturday, December 20, 2025
- 9:00–10:00 a.m. — Coaching Camp with Christy Johnson-Lynch
- 9:00–10:00 a.m. — Book Club with Tod Mattox
- 9:00–10:00 a.m. — USA Volleyball Coach Observation Session
- 10:15–11:15 a.m. — Coaching Camp with Erik Sullivan
- 10:15–11:15 a.m. — Learning Lab (Kevin Maureen Campbell)
- 10:15–11:15 a.m. — Book Club | Trash Talk: The Only Book About Destroying Your Rivals That Isn’t Total Garbage (Rafi Kohan)
- 10:15–11:15 a.m. — USA Volleyball Coach Observation Session
