The Arizona Region of USA Volleyball proudly extends our heartfelt congratulations to Matt Werle, head coach of Grand Canyon University’s men’s volleyball team, on being named the AVCA National Collegiate Men’s Coach of the Year!

In his ninth season at GCU, Coach Werle has achieved remarkable milestones, including leading the Lopes to a program-record 26 wins in 2024 and securing the school’s first-ever No. 1 national ranking. His exceptional leadership also guided the team to its second consecutive NCAA Men’s Volleyball Championship appearance.

This honor makes Coach Werle the first individual to receive both the AVCA Men’s Volleyball Coach of the Year award (2024) and the AVCA Men’s Volleyball Player of the Year award (2007)—a testament to his lifelong dedication to the sport.

In Spring 2023, Coach Werle shared his insights on the growth of boys’ and men’s volleyball in an exclusive Q&A with our #AZVolleyballMom for the Covering the Court Newsletter. We’re thrilled to reshare this inspiring piece, highlighting his vision and passion for the game.

Join us in celebrating this extraordinary achievement! Check out the Q&A here.