The Delta Region Volleyball Association is one of the 40 Regional Governing Bodies in the United States for Volleyball. We work with USA Volleyball in implementing volleyball programming in our geographic area, which includes the states of Arkansas, northern Mississippi (above Hwy 84) and the part of Tennessee west of the Tennessee River.

The Delta Region operates as a non-profit and non-government supported organization and is organized and governed by an elected volunteer board of directors.

Our mission is to promote, develop and expand volleyball opportunities for individuals within the region. Our goal is to provide support and resources for players, coaches, officials and club leadership to improve skills and enhance the enjoyment of the game within a safe, positive environment.

USA Volleyball was unable to get enough support for “grade in school” to be the sole determinant of age group.  A compromise was reached to move the birth date from September 1 to July 1.  

 

However, we determined that moving the birth date to July 1 would have eliminated 73% of waivers granted for the Delta Region last season.  We will be recommending the region to eliminate the Region waivers as a result.

 The USA Volleyball board of directors voted today to adjust the USAV junior age definitions; effective for the 2020-21 season. This change is in accordance with motions for change passed by both the Regional Volleyball Association Assembly as well as the USA Volleyball Junior Assembly.

 Please see the updated Junior Player Age Definitions Sheet for the 2020-21 Season, attached below.

 In other non-board related items, USA Volleyball, in consultation with both the RVAA and JA, approved the following:

• The junior age definition for each age group was adjusted to a start date of July 1st (the date had previously been September 1st).
• A national waiver was added allowing girls 18’s in their junior year of high school to compete on girls 17’s teams. This was previously communicated as a Regional waiver, but further review of the motion and discussion by the RVAA and JA Chairs lead USA Volleyball to institute this waiver nationally (it will automatically be allowed on rosters in the member management system).
• Regional grade waivers will again be allowed for 14’s boys in the 7th grade to play at the BJNC on a 13’s team and for 13’s boys in the 6th grade to play at the BJNC on a 12’s team. This is the second season of this experimental waiver. Documentation of these waivers must still be submitted to the national office by the Region to be allowed onto rosters for nationally sanctioned events. This waiver will not be automatically applied in the member management system without Region approval.

Next year's Bid Tournament and Qualifiers schedules are up! The dates are locked in, but some age groups have yet to be settled. Either way, it's time to start planning the 2021 calendar!

2021 Girls Junior National Qualifiers

2021 Girls 18s Junior National Qualifiers

2021 Boys Bid Tournaments

Delta Region fans have a new way to purchase clothing and accessories to show off their Delta Region/USAV pride with the launch of the new Delta Region Volleyball Online Store.

Debuting Tuesday, June 30th, Delta Region Volleyball Online Store is a one-stop shop for clothing, shirts, shorts, tanks and even FACE MASKS.

You have a choice of Delta Region/USA Volleyball logos and our famous ‘i like volleyball people' logo on all merchandise.

We also have two kits available: one includes great practice merchandise and another kit has some cool polos and other goodies for Coaches or Referees.

A partnership with Squad Locker, the new online store allows fans, officials, players, and families to purchase with ease, with no minimum order requirements. Orders are completed and shipped quickly and there is also live Customer Service, 7 days a week through the CHAT button for any questions.

The store will feature promotions on items throughout the year, beginning with a GRAND OPENING SPECIAL for all Delta Region members of 15% off any purchase through July 31, 2020---just enter coupon code DELTAVBALL15.

Just CLICK HERE to check out the new store!

USA Volleyball has announced that the 2020 USA National Beach Tour Junior Championship will be held July 21-26 at John Hunt Park in Huntsville, Ala., in partnership with Rally Volleyball.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (June 23, 2020) – USA Volleyball has announced that the 2020 USA National Beach Tour Junior Championship will be held July 21-26 at John Hunt Park in Huntsville, Ala., in partnership with Rally Volleyball.

Athletes who received a bid at a Beach National Qualifier will be top seeds with other registrants all qualifying to play in the open division.

“USAV is excited to be holding the nation’s premiere junior national championship this year for the first time in Alabama” USAV President and CEO Jamie Davis said.

“We know that junior athletes and their families have been missing volleyball during the shutdown and we have planned extensive and strict safety protocols to protect the players, officials, coaches and fans. The USA NBT Junior Championship is a great place for the top American youth players to test their skills against some of the best players in the country.”

“We are honored to assist USAV in hosting this premier event during this challenging time," said Colleen Craig, CEO of Rally Volleyball.

“John Hunt Park offers a great inland alternative for beach volleyball. The complex boosts a brand-new premier beach facility including air-conditioned bathrooms, indoor and outdoor showers, wi-fi, power, water sprinkling system for the sand, and lights on all the courts, to name a few of the amenities.”

The event schedule is as follows:

12U and 16U Age Divisions:
July 21: Pool play
July 22: Pool play
July 23: Playoffs

14U and 18U Age Divisions:
July 24: Pool play
July 25: Pool play
July 26: Playoffs

The top three teams in each age group receive medals and prize packs. Admission for spectators is free.

Register now at usav.bracketpal.com/signup/124.

Summer HP programs have been moved to the digital world, but that just means everyone's invited! Registration for the four weeks of live webinars and online sessions is now open. This is a great opportunity for any player wishing to learn from the nation's top coaches and players. 

What is the Academy? 

- This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for our National Team coaches and athletes to work with the future of USA Volleyball. - 4 weeks of live webinars and scheduled online sessions lasting 45-60 minutes with world class National Team athletes and coaches – 27 sessions in total! o Speakers include Women's National Team staff, Men's National Team staff, Beach National Team staff, Indoor and Beach National Team athletes, Olympians galore, experts in nutrition, recovery, leadership, and mindfulness - Topics include nutrition, recovery, mindfulness, leadership, skill training, offensive and defensive tactics, Q&As and so much more! - Athletes who register will receive a gear box including High Performance training t-shirt and USAV swag. Read More...

As announced on April 24, 2020, USAV and the USAV Board of Directors created a joint task force to create a Return to Play Action Plan for USA Volleyball in the United States. The group spent several weeks gaining information from the USOPC, CDC, tournament directors, other NGBs and medical professionals to develop a comprehensive strategy with the safety of our members as a top priority. The process was comprehensive, inclusive and thorough.  

Today I am happy to announce the release of USA Volleyball’s Return to Play Guidelines. These guidelines will be effective May 15 and will supersede the previously announced ban on sanctions that was scheduled to expire on May 22.  

View the Complete Return to Play Guidelines

Voting for the open position on the Delta Region Board of Directors closed at 5:00PM on Friday, May 15th.

Jenny Lingenfelter (Ozark Juniors) was re-elected to the position. The position is a 3-year term.  Board Members not up for election this year include Commissioner, Joe Williams; Juraj Okolicany (Memphis Metro); BJ Golden (Little Rock Juniors); Lee Dewey (Fort Smith Juniors); Robyn Everson (501 Volley); and Danis Fuelling (Memphis Juniors).

Voters can view the results by visiting the following URL: https://vote.electionrunner.com/election/YIqmM/results. Thanks to those who took the time to vote in the election.

Please note: the Annual Board of Directors meeting will be held in August--all Junior Club Directors are encouraged to attend. Additional information will be announced at a later date.

DELTA REGION & AVCA TEAM UP

The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) has teamed up with the Delta Region of USA Volleyball in order to provide our members with insights to navigate the recruiting process and tips to better the game. 

About the AVCA
The mission of the AVCA is to advance the sport of volleyball with AVCA coaches at the epicenter of leadership, advocacy and professional development. With a membership of almost 7,000 and counting, the AVCA provides a professional network for those individuals and companies dedicated to enhancing and promoting the sport. The AVCA provides education to volleyball coaches, recognition of elite players and coaches, promotion of volleyball competitions throughout the world, and networking opportunities for volleyball products and services providers.

Each week the AVCA/Delta Region will be sharing "TIPS OF THE WEEK" from education tips to recruiting tips. Click Here to find the latest Tip of the Week.

Want to play college volleyball, but would like to stay close to home? CLICK  HERE  to check out colleges within the Delta Region footprint that have volleyball programs.

You could have the best of both worlds: 1.)  get to leave home~but not too far away; 2.) get to play college volleyball. That's a win for you and your family!