TOWSON, Md. - As the Landmark Conference counts down to the start of the 2026-27 academic year, the Conference will revisit some of the best stories from its member institutions through the Landmark Rewind series.
Running August 3-14, Landmark Rewind will spotlight one Landmark institution each weekday by featuring two stories originally produced by that school's athletics department. From student-athlete features and championship moments to community impact and campus initiatives, the series gives fans another opportunity to discover the people and programs that make the Landmark Conference special before fall competition begins.
Juniata women's volleyball standout Molly Mishinkash was selected to the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Ambassador Tour in its inaugural campaign during the summer of 2026. Mishinkash was part of a select group of student-athlete ambassadors across Divisions I, II, and III who were named AVCA All-Region or AVCA All-America selections during the 2025 season and will serve as ambassadors for the sport and engage with volleyball communities in Tanzania and Kenya.
The initiative reflected the AVCA's commitment to growing the game and to creating meaningful opportunities for athletes and coaches to contribute beyond competition.
"This is about using volleyball as a vehicle for connection, leadership, and impact," said AVCA CEO Dr. Jaime Gordon. "The AVCA Ambassador Tour brought together some of the top student-athletes in the country to serve as ambassadors of the sport to share knowledge, build relationships, and compete at a high level while helping grow volleyball."
Representing all three NCAA divisions, the ambassador group showcased the breadth and depth of collegiate volleyball. Throughout the tour, participants competed against local and regional teams while also leading youth volleyball clinics, participating in coaching education sessions, engaging in community service initiatives, and taking part in leadership and cultural exchange opportunities.
The 2026 tour marked the launch of what the AVCA intends to be an ongoing ambassador program, expanding opportunities for coaches and athletes to support the growth of volleyball around the world. By combining competition, service, and coaching, the initiative created lasting development opportunities within host communities while providing transformative experiences for participants.
The tour was developed in collaboration with Tim Kelly of Bring It Promotions, who provided planning and logistical support.