Public Announcements

The Illinois Volleyball Coaches Association (IVCA) is pleased to announce the 2026 IVCA Boys Volleyball Hall of Fame, Coach of the Year, Official of the Year and Media of the Year awards. Click on the award listed below to learn more about each award recipient.

·       Hall of Fame Inductee – Paul Ickes (Brother Rice High School)

·       Hall of Fame Inductee – Marci Maier (Glenbard East High School)

·       Hall of Fame Inductee – Lionel Ebeling (Loyola Academy)

·       Coach of the Year – Grace Culver (Shepard High School)

·       Media of the Year – Carter Obrochta (CBCS Photography)

·       Official of the Year – Steven McClenning (IHSA Volleyball Official)

A native of Chicago’s Brighton Park neighborhood, Paul first played volleyball for St. Agnes Grade School in boys’ and co-ed leagues at Burroughs Playground, McKinley Park, and Kelly Park. Paul graduated from St. Laurence High School in 1982 (10 years before high school boys’ volleyball was sanctioned) and holds degrees from Iona College (B.A.), the University of Notre Dame (M.A.), and the University of San Francisco (M.A.).Read more.

Marci Maier served as the Glenbard East High School girls and boys head coach for 23 years and a total of 43 total seasons.  At Glenbard East, she advocated for and started our boys volleyball program in 1999. She took over our girls program in 2002 and continued to coach both programs for 20+ years. She is one of only three girls head volleyball coaches at the school since it opened in 1959. Read more.

Lionel Ebeling serves as the head boys volleyball coach at Loyola Academy, a role he has held since 2005, and took over the girls volleyball program in 2023. His coaching career began as a University of Illinois club player, where he also coached the women’s club team starting in 1997. At the same time, he coached club volleyball in the Great Lakes Region, building a lifelong commitment to developing student-athletes. Read more.

Grace Culver is a dedicated high school and club volleyball coach with five years of coaching experience. Grace began her career as a girls varsity assistant before going on to coach freshman girls and JV boys. She currently serves as the Head Boys Volleyball Coach at Shepard High School, a position she has held for the past three years. Read more.

Carter Obrochta is an action sports photographer and the founder of CBCS Photography. Based in Orland Hills, Illinois, Carter specializes in capturing high-stakes action across a wide range of sports, including volleyball, football, basketball, and soccer. Driven by a commitment to documenting the dedication of student-athletes, Carter’s work focuses on freezing the most intense, emotional, and defining moments of the game. Read more.

Steven McClenning is an experienced IHSA official with more than 44 years of officiating experience across multiple sports. He serves as a Boys and Girls Varsity Volleyball referee, working primarily in the SPC and SWSC conferences and officiating numerous in-season tournaments throughout the year.  Read more.

Become a member and stay updated on all awards, recognition, and other membership benefits! Join the Illinois Volleyball Coaches Association (IVCA) and enjoy the benefits of dual membership in the IVCA and AVCA, the world’s largest volleyball coaches association.

• Online Membership – Join online or by phone at 859-544-AVCA (2822)
• Print Membership Form (PDF)

https://ivcacoaches.org

2026 IVCA Coaches Clinic: August 8

Don’t forget to take advantage of early registration rates for the 2026 IVCA Coaches Clinic on August 8, at Bolingbrook High School. Get your team ready for next season with new drills, on-court demos and coaching strategy from winning collegiate and high school boys and girls (men’s and women’s) volleyball coaches. The clinic also features sessions on strength and conditioning, team culture and mental performance. Learn more!