Ignite Support Indiana Volleyball with Introduction of Grow the Game Awards
One Girls High School Team and One Boys High School Team Will Each Receive $4,000 to Invest in Their Programs
By Mark Robinson
FISHERS, Ind. (August 31, 2026) – The Indy Ignite are continuing to build the sport of volleyball in Indiana by announcing the franchise's new Grow the Game Award today. The Ignite will recognize one Indiana girls high school volleyball program and one boys high school volleyball program, rewarding each with $4,000 to invest in their respective programs.
The Grow the Game Award is a community investment initiative that supports high school volleyball coaches who have built strong programs, poured themselves into their athletes and schools, and helped grow the game of volleyball across the state. One Indiana girls program and one boys program selected from those that apply will receive a $4,000 cash donation to invest in their programs, plus they'll receive a curated team experience at an Ignite home match.
Applications for the awards, which must be submitted by head coaches of Indiana High School Athletic Association-sanctioned varsity volleyball programs, open today and close January 21, 2027. Apply here for girls program and here for boys program. A panel of four judges will select the winning programs (one girls, one boys) based on three criteria: coaching excellence and player development; growing the game and community impact; and program need and the impact of receiving the award.
"Building the sport of volleyball in Indiana for players of all ages, genders and abilities is a key component of the Indy Ignite mission," said Randi Raff, director of community engagement for the Ignite. "With the Grow the Game Award, we are putting our money where our mouth is. These awards will put real resources behind the coaches and programs who are committed to growing the game, and they will help them take those programs to the next level."
Raff will serve as one of the judges along with Ignite Head Coach Lauren Bertolacci, Indianapolis Star Sports Reporter Brian Haenchen, and Terry Sweasy, commissioner and president for the USA Volleyball Hoosier Region and an Indiana High School Volleyball Coaches Association Hall of Fame inductee. All four judges will use the same rubric to evaluate applications on the three criteria mentioned above. In addition, high school coaches must submit two letters of reference — one from a school administrator and one from a current or former student-athlete — along with the application.
Winning programs will be announced in February 2027. In addition to the $4,000 prize, the teams will receive coaching resources from the Indy Ignite staff and be recognized at an Ignite home match during the 2027 season.
Click here for the application for girls program and here for the application for boys program for the 2027 Indy Ignite Grow the Game Award.