Because of a changing calendar, NCAA Division I volleyball teams can start practice five days earlier than expected.
From the AVCA and NCAA:
“The NCAA Division I Committee for Legislative Relief approved a blanket waiver to permit member institutions to begin practice sessions in women’s volleyball 22 days before the first scheduled regular-season intercollegiate contest.”
Such a move has been a long time coming, but it’s just for one year with an eye on expanding it and making it permanent.
“The blanket waiver provides one-time short-term relief to allow for additional discussion and review of a future legislative solution,” it added in the news release.
The first playing date is August 30, 2024. Last season, the season began on Friday, August 25. Practices began August 8 last year and will again this season for teams playing their first matches on August 30.
Creighton coach Kirsten Bernthal Booth is in the first year of her term as the AVCA president.
“I think it’s a health and safety issue,” Bernthal Booth said. “We need to have time to ease our player into the season and we have such a short runway you’d be balancing so many things you need to teach but…
