After 24 seasons of building the region's longest-running boys-only volleyball club, Louisville Fury is excited to announce a new chapter: a strategic partnership with KIVA (Kentucky Indiana Volleyball Academy) to expand and elevate opportunities for boys volleyball in Louisville and beyond.

Founded in 2001 by Ward Lotze, Louisville Fury was created to give boys an opportunity to play a sport they loved when few others were offering it. Over the years, the club grew into a respected name in the volleyball community — producing hundreds of athletes, many of whom went on to compete at the collegiate and even professional levels. But more importantly, Fury became a home for young men to learn the values of teamwork, leadership, and accountability.

Through his tireless efforts, Lotze helped lead the charge to make boys volleyball a KHSAA-sanctioned sport in Kentucky — a historic milestone achieved in 2024. That advocacy helped open the door for more opportunities across the state, and today, two of the area's largest clubs have added boys divisions.

"The goal has always been bigger than just building a club," said Ward Lotze, Louisville Fury Founder and Director. "It's about building a pathway — so that boys in Louisville have a real chance to grow in this sport and be part of something meaningful."

That vision continues, now with KIVA - a nationally recognized organization with deep roots in the volleyball world. Through this partnership, Fury athletes will gain access to greater resources, enhanced training environments, and expanded competitive opportunities, all while maintaining a focus on flexibility for multi-sport athletes and the same commitment to player development that made Fury unique.

This partnership solidifies KIVA + Fury as the only dedicated boys volleyball program in Louisville — and positions the combined program for even greater growth.

"This is not the end of Fury — it's the next step forward," Lotze added. "Our mission lives on, and I'm proud of what we've built and where we're going."

Let's grow the game. Together.