Cheng and Kraft Shake Up AVP 2026

The AVP 2026 season? Absolute chaos. The kind we love.

New Alliances, New Challenges

Kelly Cheng and Megan Kraft teaming up is a game-changer. Cheng, on her third partnership in as many years, is pairing with Kraft after her stint with Terese Cannon. This move? Bold. The duo is already turning heads. And just like that, the women's field is wide open.

Betsi Flint is back, and she's bringing the fire. After a break following her second child, Flint returns alongside Kylie Deberg. Flint's got three AVP Best Server awards, and she's a 2023 Manhattan Beach Open champion. Deberg? She finished 2025 third in blocks per set and fourth in aces per set. This partnership has stability written all over it.

Men's Field Shifts

The men's side isn't sitting still either. Miles Partain and Paul Lotman are reuniting. Last season, Partain ranked third in hitting percentage (.513) and led with 3.33 digs per set. This guy's no joke. Lotman, a 2012 Olympic gold medalist, returns to the AVP circuit hungry.

Andy Benesh splits from Partain and teams up with Taylor Crabb. This isn't just a shuffle, it's a seismic shift. The 2026 AVP League will see no carryovers. Every team must earn its place through three qualifier events at the iconic Manhattan Beach Pier. Five women's spots and six men's spots are up for grabs. The stakes? Couldn't be higher.

A Season of Uncertainty

The 2026 AVP season is all about proving yourself. Established names? No safe harbor. New duos like Cheng/Kraft and Benesh/Crabb? They've got targets on their backs. With Olympic partnerships dissolving, the court is open for breakout stars. And from there… it was over.

You could feel it coming. This season will separate the contenders from the pretenders.

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Source: AVP