MVB Embarks on Historic Trip to Grow Game

Los Angeles - The UCLA men's volleyball team will visit the Atlanta area this March 21-27, 2022 in support of a nationwide effort to grow the game of boy's and men's volleyball in the United States. Led by UCLA head coach John Speraw, the team will conduct several youth and coaching clinics for local club, middle school, and high school athletes and coaches in the greater Atlanta area. They will end the week with matches against Morehouse College and Fort Valley State University, two of six new HBCU collegiate men's volleyball programs in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC).

In 2019, the SIAC received a $1 million grant from First Point Volleyball Foundation ($600,000) and USA Volleyball ($400,000) to fund the addition of men's volleyball.
 
 First Point Volleyball Foundation was co-founded by UCLA men's volleyball head coach John Speraw in 2016. As a result of First Point and USA Volleyball's gift, the SIAC began its inaugural season in January with six participating programs: Benedict College, Central State University, Edward Watters College, Fort Valley State University, Kentucky State University, and Morehouse College.
 
First Point Volleyball Foundation aims to:
 

• Grow and support men's collegiate volleyball to increase roster and scholarship opportunities
• Increase opportunities for boys to learn the game and develop their skill set in youth, club, middle school and high school programs
• Provide boys from low-income communities the opportunity to play and learn the game

 
Said UCLA Men's Volleyball Head Coach John Speraw, "We are excited about the opportunity to play Fort Valley State and Morehouse College which are two of the six new men's volleyball programs in the SIAC conference.  This trip affords our student athletes the chance to play our first ever matches in the state of Georgia - a state where we expect boys' volleyball to rapidly increase in participation and popularity over the coming years. We are looking forward to helping grow the game in the region. During our week in Atlanta, we will be offering clinics for young players, exhibitions at local schools, open joint practices and coaching clinics. Our players and staff are eager to make this an impactful week and appreciate the experience this will provide all the institutions."
 
Colleen Craig, First Point Board member and CEO of Rally Volleyball, highlighted "Everyone is excited to have UCLA in Atlanta and appreciates the leadership role they are taking to help grow the men's game."
 
A team of students from Ball State University's Center for Emerging Media Design & Development and School of Journalism and Strategic Communication will also join the Bruins in Atlanta. The Ball State team is producing a documentary titled Match Point 2.0, which will chronicle the SIAC's inaugural season and explore how the addition of six new programs at HBCUs is increasing opportunities for minority athletes. In Summer 2020, the same team released a 30-minute documentary and transmedia campaign focused on the fast-growing sport in America: boys' volleyball. Match Point: The Rise of Boys' and Men's Volleyball, follows collegiate, high school, and youth athletes and coaches and features interviews with members of the USAV Men's National team and coach Speraw. The 2020 project was nominated for a regional Emmy award, and won four other national awards.
 
Team Availability
 
Tuesday, March 22 at 7 pm
Youth clinic followed by a Q&A with coaches
Lakepoint Clinic
261 Stars Way, Emerson, GA 30121
 
Wednesday, March 23 at 10:45 am
Player introductions, a demonstration of skills and team play. We will also do small group talks and photo.
Howard Middle School, 7th Grade
551 John Wesley Dobbs Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30312)
 
Wednesday, March 23 at 11:45 am
Player introductions, a demonstration of skills and team play. We will also do small group talks and photo.
Hope-Hill ES Assembly
112 Boulevard NE, Atlanta, GA 30312
 
Wednesday, March 23 at 1 pm
Player introductions, a demonstration of skills and team play. We will also do small group talks and photo.
Howard MS 8th Grade
551 John Wesley Dobbs Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30312
 
Thursday, March 24 at 10 am
Player introductions, a demonstration of skills and team play. We will also do small group talks.
Peach County High School
3665 Peach Parkway, Fort Valley, GA 31030
 
Friday, March 25 at 6 pm
UCLA vs. Morehouse
830 Westview Drive SW, Atlanta, GA 30314
 
Saturday, March 26 at 3 pm
Pregame routine for with Big Brothers and Big Sisters including area coaches. Q&A for all coaches immediately following.
Big Brothers & Big Sisters
1005 State University Drive, Fort Valley, GA 31030
 
Saturday, March 26 at 6 pm
UCLA vs Fort Valley
1005 State University Drive, Fort Valley, GA 31030