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Great story on Ashley Ed (she's Ashley Ed to Stephenville people because there are two other Ashleys --Justis and Powers -- on the Honey Bees). We watched her come a long, long way and really make a substantial contribution - especially in the playoffs- to the Honey Bees' state title run; it's nice to see her get some recognition. Your description of Ashley as a caring, humble, hard working person was right on the mark although would have been impossible for you, or any wordsmith, to capture how really nice she is. - DD (posted 12/7)

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Re: Memorable moments at state tournament from your Around The State Column. I know I am biased, but I think that Courtney McCrocklin's 13 straight jumpserves, with 8 of them being aces in the 3A state final was pretty memorable. - DM (posted 12/6)

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Sounding off on VB dad and frusterated mom! Where do these people live? I am a HIGH SCHOOL coach in San Antonio. I compete in one of the toughest districts in the STATE of texas (lonestarvolleyball.com has agreed to this statement). Every Tuesday and Friday night I am staring at opposing teams that are coached by amazing volleyball coaches who take their programs to the very highest level of state play! Here is something for these frusterated parents to think about. My stipend for coaching an ENTIRE high school volleyball season is roughly $3500.00. In case that doesn't print well, let me spell it for you...Three thousand five hundred dollars. Yet, club parents pay a salary for me (yes, I take my knowledge to the club level, too) that is roughly 8000-10,000 dollars a season. Well, you do the math. If you are frustrated with your HS coaches - fight for them. Often schools CAN'T GET people to work for what roughly works out to $2.50 an hour. PLUS...we drive our own buses, order our own equipment, and get very little help from PARENTS...in addition to coaching a "second" sport. These frusterated parents actually are the ONLY people who can solve this problem. Fight for salaries and watch talented young people come back into the coaching profession. They aren't choosing to coach anymore...they LOSE money. It's a shame that we have done this to high school athletics. I can coach all of the club volleyball I can handle and your daughters can play all the club volleyball they can handle, but NOTHING will replace the character education and rivalry that high school sports provides. Go to your school board, pay your people, it works out the frustration. - SA Volleyball Coach (posted 12/1)

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This goes out to frustrated mom and VB dad. First of all not all high school coaches are dumb when it comes to volleyball. First things first, if you want a coach for your daughters high school to take more time with them then you probably need to be talking with a school board representative, don’t bash them on the internet. Secondly, I admit there are some high school coaches out there that don’t know a freaking thing about volleyball that it is true, and yes they do reep the benefits of what club ball teaches there girls, but not all high school coaches are like that some actually do know a little and spend a lot of time during the season and during off season preparing for the year. Now if you want a coach that is solely devoted to volleyball and that is what they live and die by then you may send you daughter to a college instead of high school, because in most schools the volleyball coach doesn’t even like volleyball there main love may be another sport like basketball or track or heck even softball. Some schools don’t have the luxury to have a coach that coaches only there favorite sport. I am not saying that club is bad or that I disapprove, because I believe club ball is good for the girls, I am the head coach at a school and I also coach a club team in the off-season, club is a good thing if only more girls could afford to play it. I just don’t want you lashing out at all coaches because a few of us really do love the game and spend countless hours trying to better ourselves for the future. If you don’t like the coach at your daughters high school talk with someone and see if they can get that person out of the job or maybe light a fire under his/her rear. - vbcoach (posted 12/1)

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Thank you VB Dad for saying what I've wanted to say for a couple of years. My daughter's high school team competes in a tough district but we only have two other club players and, as you would call it, a "sponsor" coach. We actually debated whether to take the high school season off just to give her a break since we knew she would get almost zero training and the team was going to take a beating on the court. She played and despite the losses she enjoyed hanging out with her teammates. But from a volleyball standpoint it was a total waste of time. By mid September she was ready to get back to club where the level of play is so much better and so were we. Unfortunately, we know many other girls in the same situation. My guess is that unless the quality of coaching and the overall competitive level improves, high school volleyball will go the way of high school soccer and tennis where the top players often don't even compete for their high school team or if they do, they do so only when they can work it around their club schedules. - Frustrated mom (posted 12/01)

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To add to the discussion concerning club VB, I'd like to give an opinion that will anger some people but it is simply a true statement. Club VB starts so early because we have so many poor high school coaches. If more high school coaches worked more hours during their high school seasons you would not find so many girls wanting private lessons in September and October.

I talked with one of the best setters in the state in early October about why she was attending a positional clinic on a Wednesday night. Her reply was basically that her high school practice was so short and non-challenging she needed more reps. It would be interesting to see how many 'good' high school programs with 'good' coaches have players who feel like that.

You can't just point a finger and blame club volleyball. High schools have to shoulder some of the responsibility. We have way to many high school coaches who are more sponsor than anything else. There are tons of club parents who know this is true. They watch their daughters go back to high school ball in August and know that she will not learn anything new the entire fall and maybe even regress in her skills. These same parents also know their high school coaches are not great with game management, subs, etc. I've talked with many over the years that just hope to survive high school and can't wait to get back to club. - VB Dad (posted 11/29)

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Just a thought on the final rankings: Arlington Lamar has a 26 - 10 record. They lose to Arlington twice in district, they lose to Red Oak twice @ tournaments and they lose to Martin 3 times this year. What teams above them did they beat? Red Oak goes 1 - 1 w/ Allen, beats Westwood, loses in 5 games 16 -14 in the fifth to Arlington @ Arlington(w/o Laurie Burrow), loses in 5 games 15 - 13 to Highland Park (w/o Laurie Burrow) and they get ranked 4 spots below Arlington Lamar. I know rankings are hard and very subjective but I can't agree w/ that part of the end of year rankings. - ROH (posted 11/29)

Editor's note: See below

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Your rankings for Arlington Lamar (#14) and Arlington (#17) leave me a little confused. Why, because out of the teams that both Arlington and Arlington Lamar played during the season, what teams did Arlington Lamar beat that Arlington did not beat? And what was the outcome of the two Arlington v. Lamar district games? Well, it goes like this; Arlington beat all the teams that Lamar beat (and beat some of the teams that Lamar lost to, but Lamar did not beat any of the teams that Arlington lost to), and Arlington beat Lamar in both district games (home and at Lamar), so why is Lamar (26-10) ranked #14 and Arlington (36-9) #17.

BTW, Lamar didn't even go to the Pearland tournament to play with the big girls, as Arlington did. And, looking at the tournaments that they both played in - Arlington always finished equal to, or better then Lamar in the end. So, my question to Lonestar Volleyball; "are the ratings based this past season's performance, or based on what Lamar's performance MIGHT be in 2004?" - J.E. (posted 11/28)

Editor's note: Our rankings are based on most recent performances and not necessarily what happened earlier in the year. During the time that Red Oak and Arlington were beating the teams listed above, they were ranked high in the standings. Playoff losses to then un-ranked teams at the end of the season hurt several teams inclduing Red Oak and Arlington while others enhanced their position with their performances against highly ranked teams in the playoffs.

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Follow-Up To Rob from BC United: Bravo, you hit the nail on the head my good man. If both sides would work together for the benefit of the kids (clear throat), both sides would win, quality club programs, and kids walking in with great court experience in the fall, wow what a concept. What I tell my 13’s is this; you are here to make a difference next fall. Playing for your school is a memory that no one can take away, and at the end of the day how many girls have the desire to go on to the next level, a few for sure, but not the majority. Happy Thanksgiving to all. Let’s play some volleyball! - Eddie P (posted 11/26)

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Wow, I couldn't believe some of these letters. Why in the world does Karen B want to give a hard time to Stephenville, Highland Park, and 4A volleyball in general? Why does Stephenville parent want to mess on Harlingen South? Some of the folks in the stands need to realize that they didn't do a darn thing. Let's not denigrate any kid or team's performance in making it all the way to the Final 4 in any state classification. Most children don't get the chance to choose where they live, or the high school and club coaches they have so I like to root for the 'country' schools vs the big city anyday. But, that doesn't mean the big city girls shouldn't get a big pat on the back too. The comments about Highland Park blowing it and whining about line calls are way out of line. These are kids, not pros.

I do think that this web site does need to get more balanced in their coverage. Volleyball is played all over the state. Volleyball isn't all about the elite teams and players but is also about the teams and players that aren't so good too. It is played all over the state and there are good stories everywhere. The Dallas Morning News finds good stories even with the teams that aren't so good. So should this site. There should be less about this great player and this great team and more about the girls themselves. For example, the article about the girls coming back from devastating injuries was great. What made it even better was that neither girl was on your preseason All State team. There's way too much on this site about the rankings, and the All Stars. The girls playing volleyball aren't all in a horserace to get a scholarship, or to play for number one. Most of them play because they love being on a team, and love the game. Let's not forget that. - Desert Dad (posted 11/26)

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DD shows his ignorance and arrogance in stating that Harlingen South would have finished behind the 3rd place team in 8AAAA. No one can make a pronouncement like that based on one match, and while Harlingen South may not have played up to their normal standards in the semi-finals, that cannot in any way take away from their stellar season. Heartiest congratulations to the Lady Hawks! - Mom (posted 11/25)

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A letter to Arlington Martin Volleyball.

For the last four years, the rivalry between Martin High School and Arlington High School has been one of the most intense and most fun rivalries. With packed gyms at both schools, adrenaline levels running high, the girls and coaches wearing their game faces, and the parents and fans anxiously watching, no other rivalry comes close. One of my favorite memories will be when we finally beat Martin at Martin after 12 years of losing there. Coach Cauley had promised her team that if we won, she would come to school wearing pink from head to toe. She kept her promise and the local paper captured the moment in living color! Next time we played Martin at Arlington, the entire Martin student body showed up wearing pink! Martin won that game and we split the district title that year. I heard someone refer to us as a sibling rivalry, which I thought described our schools perfectly. Off the court and during club season we are all friends, but when we play each other, both sides take off their gloves and become fiercely loyal to their schools.

It has been a fun ride! Thanks for the memories! - Kerre Randel (posted 11/25)

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Congratulations to Stephenville on a great season and a state championship. No one - not even petty parents - can diminsh that accomplishment. But I would like to point out to K.D. that they did not win the USAV North Texas Region championship. Dallas Skyline won the regional championship. Stephenville was competing in the division for local teams, not in the division that included the national club teams. And the runner up finish at Third Coast was in the high school division, which did not include ANY club teams or players who were competing in the Open, 18s, 17s and 16s divisions, which again is a much higher level of competition. I'm not taking anything away from what the girls accomplished, but the Stephenville parents should make sure they get their facts straight before they start criticizing others. - Dallas mom (posted 11/25)

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Thank you for mentioning RaChelle (Etzel) in your story about RTC's exciting win over Windthorst. Jillian Graham was a very deserving MVP, but I don't think the people who vote on the award could have gone wrong with RaChelle either. Her spectacular digs saved many points for RTC at crucial times. Congratulations to both teams on great seasons and a championship match that we will remember forever. - Cubette fan (posted 11/25)

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I am not sure what has Karen B. in such an uproar, but she should not attempt to diminish what the Stephenville team accomplished by winning state this year. I am surprised that an adult (I assume) would make such a mean spirited, petty statement. Stephenville won more games this year than any other team in any classification playing many highly ranked teams in 5A , 4A and 3A. This same bunch of girls also played in (for fun) the USATV North Texas Regional Championship this summer and won it. They finished as Runner up in the 3rd Coast Tournament this summer in Austin, and they won the KSA Disneyworld Classic tournament in Orlando, Florida featuring strong teams from many other states this summer. Highland Park did not "blow" their lead so much as Stephenville made an amazing comeback while the tournament MVP was at the service line. That did not cost Highland Park the title anyway as they played two more games. Please give credit where it is due and don't have such a negative outlook. Take some Prilosec OTC. It should help that ulcer you are working on. - K.D. (posted 11/240)

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I can't let DD's letter go without a response. I was at the state tournament and the Stephenville setter is a very good setter and gave a gutsy performance in the semifinals, but to say that "nearly everyone who has seen her play calls her the best they’ve ever seen"? You just blew your entire argument with that one statement. Did the people saying that watch any of the 5A matches or Wimberley or have they ever watched any of the other top setters in the state at the club tournaments - the setters who are being recruited by major college programs? I'm not surprised Stephenville won with no club players. The people I was sitting said they had been coming to the state tournament for years and they all remarked about how weak the level of play in 4A was compared to where it had been the past few years. The fact that a team could blow a 24-17 lead in RALLY SCORING in the STATE FINALS was embarrassing. I don't think I've ever seen such an undisciplined performance by a group that really didn't seem to care considering what was on the line. Even as they were blowing the lead they were joking around and looking completely uncaring. Then I read on your web site that they are whining about a couple of line calls - when they got swept in three? Those calls happened in the first game! What about the other two games? The only reason Highland Park was in San Marcos was because of a questionable call late in game five against Red Oak but you didn't see Red Oak whining about it the next day. I've got news for the coach and players. Questionable line calls are part of the game. They happened all weekend. They happend to Clark against Arlington Martin at crucial points, but Clark didn't worry about it. They just battled past it and overcame it. That's what champions do. - Karen B. (posted 11/24)

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You did an incredible job with the coverage on the state tournament. I know the facilities at Texas State are great and it sure creates a better atmosphere that Berger Center in Austin did for the UIL Volleyball Championships, but you were unbelievable in keeping everything updated. Before I could even get on line after the games you had your write ups and Gerald Castillo's great photographs on the site. I will continue to watch your site next year even after we finish club season this spring because it keeps everybody up to date with what's going on. Keep up the good work. - JM (posted 11/23)

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You guys do some very good research and writing. I’ve been admiring your work daily since the playoffs began. Then today (11/22), I get home from San Marcos and see that you’ve already posted stories/stats from the tournament. You guys obviously don’t get much rest.

I am a proud and gung-ho Wimberley Dad. So I do appreciate all the fine coverage you given our girls. You are right to crown them #1; they can hang with anyone in the state. Special thanks to Lee Grisham, Doug Milner and their crew; they’re a blessing to our children.

Again a GREAT job and thanks for ALL YOU DO FOR ALL our volleyball players! Some day maybe volleyball won't be a second sport in Texas! – Dave (posted 11/23)

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Now that the state tournament is history, perhaps your site will alter its editorial slant that year round club ball is essential and no quality volleyball is played north of Austin.

Stephenville has exactly zero club players and all of them are multi-sport competitors and, contrary to your prediction of 11-19-03 that "time runs out for Deidre Doggett, Mary Irvine, Adrian Dunson and crew as Friendswood moves on toward a state title" the Honey Bees had little trouble in the semis or finals. In fact, the Bees toughest playoff opponent, by far, was district 8-4A rival Aledo in the Region I final. The other 4A state qualifier (Harlingen South) would have finished behind the 3rd place team (North Crowley) in district 8-4A.

I also find it amusing that your All-Texas team had but a single player (Brittany Randel of Arlington) from the top half of the state. The most glaring omission from your elite team is setter Adrian Dunson. Nearly everyone who has seen her play calls her the best they’ve ever seen. Leaving Jessica Dorrell of Aledo off your squad is also criminal.

With three key players coming back and two more potentially big time hitters stepping into the spotlight, Stephenville has only to find a decent setter to make another run at the title. Maybe this time the Bees trip to San Marcus won’t be made in obscurity. - DD (posted 11/23)

Congrats to the Westwood Warriors for a great season. They exceeded everyones pre-season picks, finished undefeated in a very tough district and made it to the final 8 in 5A playoffs. The girls really played well and had great chemistry and cohesion. We wish Allen well in the Final 4 and congratulate their fine team. All of the Westwood family is proud of our girls, as they brought pride and honor to their school. Coack "K" did outstanding job with the team in her second year and should have success for many years to come. - KT (posted 11/23)

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(Re: 11/18 letter on rankings) I think youve done a good job ranking and i agree with the editor's note. Congratulations to those teams that 'came from nowhere' to make a trip to san marcos and kudos to you for recognizing their accomplishement. In my eyes, it doesnt matter that Red Oak has over the course of the season defeated several lonestar ranked teams. One could argue that red oak had an excellent chance of making it to state in another region but that type of thinking belittles the accomplishments of those who have made it to the final four. The UIL has set up a tournament and how you finish in it should affect your rank. The seedings are not exactly fair but that is just part of it.

Futhermore, if Red Oak were a club team that was having a very good year and subsequently went to a tournament like the lone star qualifier and placed 67 their rank should fall below those who managed to advance to the 'sweet sixteen' or 'elite eight' in that event in that division The seedings in those tournaments are not exactly fair either but that is just a part of it.

When you set up a competition teams have a chance to do well or fail, reward the teams that do well whether it be school or club ball, regardless of whose district, pool, bracket or region is stacked unfairly. I'd like to see more value placed on the finish of teams at next years Lone Star Qualifier, a true test for the state's best. - dw (posted 11/20)

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I just recently read your article and I found it very interesting. I have a few issues that I would like to point out that I did not see covered and hopefully we can get some responses. First off I am a Club Director for a second year club in Brazoria County, and already I have felt the effects in the talent pool of a competitive club season. If you look at the coaching rosters from most of the successful clubs in the Houston area, you will find that they are also the same coaches on a high school level that are voicing concern and making an issue. It's not so much the concern over the girls as it is a concern over another club taking their players from their club.

While according to UIL rules a high school coach can't coach any girls from their district, that does not keep them from influencing those same talented girls into playing for the club under a different coach. And with other competitive or top notch clubs holding tryouts during the high school season, it makes their talent pool to draw from smaller if they don't do the same. It also puts a strain on the schedules of the coaches as they too are now burning the candle at both ends. I lost two girls this year to the same club that their high school coach also coaches at. Again the influence factor that supposedly does not exist. Secondly, you should try polling the schools that don't have a legitimate high school volleyball coach. By legitimate, I mean a coach whose number one loved sport and priority is volleyball. In a lot of smaller schools in Texas, you will find that the volleyball coach is a crossover form softball or soccer and that outs that team to an unfair advantage already. So in order to be competitive, those same girls as well as the coach look to a club system to help make their program more competitive. In that scenario it is a win win situation.

In the end, there are a lot of wrong doings happening on both sides of the fence and a lot can be done to alleviate the problems. The sad thing is that we as instructors should not need a commissioner or board to step in to tell us what we are doing wrong or how to fix it. We should be able realize where the problems are, put aside the personal success and agendas and understand that it is about making better athletes and preparing them for the next level IF that is where they want to go. The club directors need to sit down with the high school coaches and design a schedule that is comfortable for everyone and is fair for everyone. At the same time I also think that in order to better regulate actions and club recruiting tactics UIL should go one step further and not allow high school coaches to interact with players from their district on a club level. If that means banning players from those clubs, then so be it. If you think about it who really looses in that scenario, just the person collecting the money, oh but wait, it's not supposed to be about the money. - Rob Amason, Club Director, BC United VBC (posted 11/19)

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So you base you end of the season rankings not on the whole season. I think you should include what Red Oak has done for the whole season. They were 5-3 against your top 20. An they beat the 5A semi finalist Allen without Laurie. There ranking should be based on there whole season not just the games without Laurie. Once again you guys miss the boat. - KT Red Oak`s #1 fan (posted 11/18)

Editor's note: Just as the UIL crowns its champion based on the best team on a certain night and not what happened earlier in the season, we base our rankings on who we think is currently playing the best when we compile the rankings. Red Oak has always been one of our favorite teams and we look forward to seeing them in action again next year fearlessly taking on the state's top teams. Meanwhile, we'll try to catch the next boat.

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Congratulations to the Brazos Cougarettes who defeated Leon Jewett this past Saturday in the Regional Tournament. This was the biggest win of the season for the girls of the Brazos Cougarette Volleyball Team. They were ranked 2nd in state behind Leon Jewett for Class 2A. Good Luck at State. This is your year to take it all!!! Good luck Felicia Sliva #22. - Lynda (posted 11/17)

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CONGRATS TO THE FRIENDSWOOD MUSTANGS. THEY ARENT TALKED ABOUT ALOT AND THEY ARE KINDA RANKED A LIL LOW FOR BEING ONE OF THE BEST TEAMS IN 4A. BUT THIS IS THE YEAR THEY ARE GONNA TAKE IT ALL. I MEAN THIS IS THE YEAR THAT THE 6 FOOT POWERHOUSES BRING DOWN SAN MARCOS. KELLY STANTON, Lauren Munselle and Molli Abel. Plus the other talent on the team like Lisa Parmer, Jamie Gill, Krystal Bean and the list goes on. Plus Kelly has been at the Big Tourny for 3 years now 2000, 2002 and now 2003. GOOD LUCK BIG WOOD AND BRING HOME THE TITLE. - MT (posted 11/16)

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When I look down the recruit list and see where a lot of these Texas girls will be playing next year I must say that the most fortunate will be Nickie Thomas. Quite honestly she will probably be the only one who will see a Final Four. I hope she isn't a shy girl because Hawai'i fans embrace the Wahine as if they were royalty. Last night a sell out crowd of 10,000 fans packed Stan Sheriff Arena for the last regular season match to say Aloha to the seven seniors and with an average attendance record of 7,200 a match Miss Thomas is in for an experience of her life. She will be the first Texas girl to play for the Wahine and Hawai'i fans are already excited about seeing her play.Good luck Nickie. - Blikeke (posted 11/16)

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I think it’s pretty amazing that the Lady Hawks of Harlingen South got no mention on this site this year, and they made it in the Final Four!!!!!! I just want to know where the Lady Hawks rank now. They should have been ranked a LOOOOOOOOONG time ago. This is a team that deserves a HECK of a lot of credit. They won their district last year and advanced to the Sweet 16 only to lose by 3 points to Castroville Medina Valley. This year, they went undefeated in district, AND won the region IX title. Moreover, this team’s duo of Heidi Scheopner and Amy Silva is not only one of the best duos in Texas, but one of the best in the country. (FYI, Scheopner is also pretty good in basketball too.) I hope you guys will give the Lady Hawks a closer look and see that this is a team worth recognizing. GO HAWKS GO!!!!!!!! - Harlingen South Alumni 2003 (posted 11/16)

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Most of us realize that statewide and national rankings are meaningless. The UIL state tournament champions from 1A to 5A are the ones that deserve "bragging rights" if you want to call them that for the next year not who finished atop a mythical poll. Several area teams have had great years and deserve a lot of recognition. Luck as well as skill has a lot to do with winning it all. Remember it's about the players and not us. They are the ones that have worked through two a days in August through the playoffs and win or lose they ALL deserve our congratulations. I know the Lady Texans well and not a one of them is concerned with the statewide rankings. Their only goal is winning four more games!

I want to thank Scott White and LoneStarVolleyball.com for bringing attention to a under appreciated sport in a football crazy state. Local as well as statewide coverage would be non-existent were in not for this website. I also want to congratulate Coach Lee Grisham and Asst. Coach Doug Milner and the Lady Texan volleyball team for another good year and thank them for being the epitome of good sportsmanship unlike some of us who want to brag. The "T" shirts that state they are not living on a tradition, they are building one says it all. Also congratulations to those teams we played that made the playoffs including: SA Churchill, SA Clark, Boerne, Austin Westlake, Austin Bowie, Hays, Smithson Valley, Austin McCallum, New Braunfels Canyon, New Braunfels, Kerrville, Pflugerville Connally, Bandera, Bellville, Sweeny, Yoakum, St. Michael's and so many more on their outstanding years. Good luck to all this weekend and next week. For now forget about the mythical polls and let's focus on crowning five well deserved champions! - Lady Texan Parent! (posted 11/14)

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Why is Wimberley not rated number One? I think you are chicken to give it to a simple 3A school even though they have shown the talent to beat all of the top 5A schools, including Westlake, Clark, Churchill. What's the deal? Those of us that have watched the Texans know that they are number one above those schools - talent, heart not size makes the numbers. - #1 Wimberley Fan (posted 11/13)

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On Tuesday night (11/11), the Highland Park Lady Scots played what has to be considered the volleyball win-or-go-home match of the year (to date) against the defending State 4A champions, Red Oak. Red Oak had not lost to a 4A team since 2001. The Scots lost the first two games with HP OH Maddie Fuller doubled over between points suffering from an asthma attack and HP superstar senior settor, Emily Ziegler unable to stand during timeouts with a respiratory illness. Red Oak, of course, was without their dominating middle, Laurie Burrow. Showing amazing poise, the Lady Scots won the next two games to force a deciding fifth game. With the crowd from both sides on their feet and the student's sections going wild, the Scots fell behind 7-1 and 8-2, before fighting back to a 13-13 tie. The Scots then won the next two points, the fifth game and the match!!! It was the most exciting sporting event I have ever attended.

The determination to comeback from two games down and then again from a six point deficit in the final game against the defending State champions in the midst of a throng of impassioned Red Oak fans makes this Scots team one of the truly compelling stories of the playoffs. The Highland Park team is young with three seniors, seven juniors and two sophomores. I think they proved they deserve to be considered among the volleyball elite this year and they should be a contender next year as well. Congratulations to both teams for an unbelievable match - you could not have scripted a better high school volleyball playoff game. - Chuck, a massive Highland Park fan (posted 11/13)

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Last night I witnessed one of the most thrilling high school volleyball matches I have seen in quite a while. And while it would be easy to brag on our Warriors coming through with two starters out with the flu, the reason I am writing is to congratulate Shain Sackett and the Lamar Vikings on a great match and season. Lamar played the best I have seen them this year and they fought hard right to the last point. Nothing was easy believe me! Terry and Kelly good luck, your club buddies wish you the best!

As for the Warriors, hats off to Nicole Boyd and Laura Simmons who came off the bench and were outstanding! Nicole was powerful at the net and a did great job setting and Laura's defense and serving were incredible! Also kudos to Lauren Hoying who was herself fighting off the flu bug. She showed her true grit in fighting through and playing really well all the way to the end. The whole team should be congratulated for pulling together in a pressure situation and getting the job done! On to Abilene! GO WARRIORS! - A Proud Warrior Parent! (posted 11/12)

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Harlingen South Hawks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank You!! Give us credit for this year at least, we know the Rio Grande Valley is not a hot bed for powerful volleyball teams. That is okay though, there is no better feeling than being an underdog and whoopin on someone. Yes, we do need to earn our respect, so you have every right not to take us too seriously. Hopefully we'll see you in the finals till then keep up the good work. - 007 (posted 11/12)

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You may already have heard this but I wanted to write that the Lubbock Coronado Mustangs fought back from a 10-1 deficit in the fourth game last night to win the match. The girls played with true grit and determination, and all of their fans want them to know how much we appreciate them. Thank you for the great volleyball coverage. - K38 (posted 11/12)

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I totally agree with DP's letter dated 11/9. My daughter has played club ball for 6 years. This years high school season has been a hard one on her. Having a coach that seems to go out of their way to shake a girls confidence is troublesome. A high school coach should not be bad mouthing a club to his players. Especially when this coach actually coaches for that same club. Talk about biting the hand that feeds you. I wonder why a coach would stay with a club that they feel is so bad about. I can recall many years ago, (with an older daughter) listening to this same coach at a banquet, talk about the need for club. At the time this coach only had one or two girls that played club. They had a successful season, but the coach commented that he couldn't wait for more of his players to play club and how good his team and program would be once that happened. This coach got his wish and now all of the team has played club ball for several years. These players are the caliber they are because of club ball. To have a high school coach try to change in a few weeks, what a player has been working on for several years, is ridiculous. Especially when it works for that player. Maybe some high school coaches feel threatened. Maybe it is an ego thing, but when a club coach, who has much more experience and volleyball ability, trains an athlete in a way that fits that athlete, the athlete should get the benefit of the doubt when it comes to what works for that person. Unfortunately, some high school coaches want everything done their way, even if it is not effective. It comes down to control. As a club parent, my daughter plays for a club and a coach that we have chosen. As a high school player, there is not much choice in who you play for. There is no question that club ball is a business and some of the decisions made are business related, but that is OK. If a parent understands what is best for their child and only encourages them to do what they enjoy, then club ball can be a great experience. My daughter has made many friends from other areas of the metroplex that she would not have had the chance to do without club volleyball. She is definitely looking forward to the club season this year and her future in high school is much in doubt as her enthusiasm is dropping in this area. - JM (posted 11/11)

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My daughter played her first year of club ball last year and it was the best thing we ever did. She came out of her shell and blossomed. She is a tall athletic girl that goes to a small high school whose athletic director encourages multisport ahtletes even to the point of stating that spots on varsity teams are given first to multisport athletes. Problem is she only likes volleyball. After that statement we agreed to club ball. There she excelled and bloosomed from a timid player to a serious hard core competitor who received many scout letters from DIV I schools. She had and will have again great coaches who believe in her work with her and teach her. Although she did excel this year in high school she finished this season with much less confidence in herself than at the end of club ball. AND MOST IMPORTANTLY SHE CANNOT WAIT TO GET BACK TO CLUB. Will she get a scholarship, probably but if she doesn't has it been worth it? Absolutely. I would spend any amount of money to give my daughter confidence in herself and to learn the invaluable lessons succeeding despite adversity. THANKS CLUB BALL. - DP (posted 11/9)

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Thanks for the great articles on Michelle, Krystle and Morgan. As a parent I've enjoyed watching all those girls over the years in both high school and club. It's hard to believe they (and my daughter) are already seniors. Where the heck did the time go? - Getting old in Austin (posted 11/6)

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Come on guys. Don't be scared to put a 3A team at the top of your poll:) Wimberley deserves to be your number one pick. They have beaten 4 of your top 10 teams (Clark, Churchill, Boerne, and your current #1 Westlake.) All of these are great teams. Westlake and/or Clark have been ranked number one throughout the majority of the season. Furthermore, Wimberley has beaten Clark and Churchill within the last week. This is during the playoff warmups so I can assume that all both teams are trying to get on a "roll". Thanks for the great info. - Wimberley Fan (posted 11/5)

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I just have to write in response to Steven Thomson's article regarding Houston area teams. As the Aunt of Dobie's "softball catcher who doesn't play club" setter, I believe you all should check the information you receive more carefully. Not only has Chelsea played club volleyball since 4th grade (she is now a junior), but her family has run Alvin Juniors Volleyball Club since she was a third grader. She comes from a family who all play club volleyball and has a sister and three cousins who also play, or played, including Alvin's alumni setter, Tausha Kelly, who led Alvin to the state finals three years ago. If he wants to write that he thinks she is not as good a setter, fine, that is his opinion, but at least he should not be backing his opinion up with untrue statements written about 16 year old girls. By the way, we also think she is an awesome softball player, but then that is another story for another season. - Karen Daniel, Alvin, Texas (posted 11/4)

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I am astounded at your lack of coverage of the Highland Park Lady Scots. They went through district play undefeated and barely lost to Allen early in the year. In the playoff warmups, they beat both Ursuline and Lake Highlands without losing a game. If they were to win the anticipated matchup with Red Oak in the playoffs, your site will some more explaining to do. - Chuck (a huge Highland Park fan, posted 11/3)

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To coach/teacher: I have coached club ball and I am a head high school coach. You are way off, thanks to club allot of girls are getting scholarships due to club ball. College coaches cant go to highschool matches do to they are playing at the same time, so they rely on club ball to see the players. I had 4 girls get scholarships due to club NOT school ball. They were small schools and one went to LSU. The LSU girl would have never been recruited without club because she played at a 1A school and no one wanted a girl from a small school. When she played club ball and they saw she could hang with the big school girls, hello $90,000 worth of scholarship if she plays 4 years. Oh yea she is a starter and a freshman so I would say she will play 4 years. Her parents make together 45thou a year. Oh one more thing she spent a total of $5,000 for the 4 years of club ball so you do the math and tell me if club ball was worth it or not? I do agree with you that allot of coaches club and school are not in it for the kids but for themselves, but don't mistake the fact that club ball does allot for girls that school ball doesn't. One more thing I do think club should have to wait until after the State tourney to hold tryouts. - JB (posted 11/3)

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Are you kidding me (Texas Parent (posted 10/9)? You say that your concern was "to get my daughter a scholarship in any sport that she loves to do", and you sound so proud that you can now boast "my daughter is a Senior and is now getting a full ride to SWT". I say "Big Deal". Are you really concerned with your daughter as much as you are with you own pride? Would you send her to SWT and pay the bill if she were not playing? Probably not. I can't even count how many club parents I have seen who say that very thing. In every case I have seen, the parent could take all the money invested over the course of their girl's career and sent them to almost any school they want. If you are honest, you'll admit that your real motive is that you want to be able to say "MY kid has a scholarship". You know full well that it is more of a satus symbol for you than a concern for your kid's future. I have coahed club and school as well. I now have 8th graders who finish the school season and say that they are "done" with volleyball. They are already sick of the pressure and the pain at age 14! How is that helpful? Jump off the mythical "scholarship train" and get on track with your kids. The truth is clear - most kids are not going to get a scholarship (even a partial one) and they are duped by club coaches telling them they can get them one. The UIL should be able to mandate NO club during the season period. If kids want to play club before the season, then tell them not to come play at school. Yes, it will take time for the talent pool to even out, but it always does in every sport. The real questions is this - Are we REALLY in it for the kids or for our own personal glory? - Ric - Concerned Coach and Teacher (11/2

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OK...Have to brag right off the bat. The Wimberley Lady Texans won all 3 matches today against SA Clark!! The Lady Texans stepped up their games today and came to play for a "Big Win". It was very exciting to watch the matches. Our ladies did Wimberley proud today. - Proud Parent (posted 11/2)

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I am writing in response to the letter by "Experienced Parent". I believe making a choice between High School ball and Club ball is a big mistake if your child is serious about playing the sport. This applies to all sports, except football where club is not an option in most areas after you start junior high. Our West Texas volleyball is a prime example.

For years the local HS teams would put up decent district records, but could never beat the panhandle teams in the playoffs. Club ball was not a real option and the coaches did not encourage their players to participate in club ball. I think the panhandle girls played club from the time they were out of diapers and stayed together through HS. This year Midland High is 35-6 overall and 12-0 in district. Most of the seniors on this team have played club ball and school ball together since they were in the sixth grade and played YMCA ball before that. It really shows and I believe the playoff winning drought will be over this year. They may not win state, but they will surprise some opponents that are expecting the old West Texas teams to show up.

So if you are serious about playing, you should be in the gym as much as possible. If not, take up another past time or play recreational ball. Don't take up a roster spot on your HS team or your Club team if your not totally committed. It's not fair to the team.

As far as academics go, 75% of the MHS team is in the top 10% of their class. It does take dedication to books and the gym, but no one said it would be easy. Your child has to decide if he/she is serious about the sport and then put in the effort necessary to play the game and to make good grades.

Also, players that do not work hard at conditioning are generally the players that get injured. As a parent, you can accept an injury if you know you and your child have done everything possible to prevent an injury, but if your child is not dedicated and is injured you will feel terrible.

In short, I believe you need to be ALL In or ALL OUT. - WT Vball fan (posted 10/30)

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The so-called "collision course" between high school & club Vball may be overstated simply because the growth of the sport has produced much stress on all those involved, particularly kids and parents. Here's a plan for reducing the stress and, therefore, for avoiding the "collision".

First, avoid the 'Olympic dream' trap. You know, the time when you see your daughter play great and you begin to see her playing on the Olympic team someday? Instead set shorter term goals. Don't think more that a year ahead. This will help to moderate expectations a little-smaller steps instead of giant leaps.

Second, add up, in separate columns, your daughter's practice and game-related time for both club, high school, camps, private lessons, etc.. Next add up(approximately) her actual playing time.

For example, High School volleyball may involve much more time in general than club ball on a weekly basis. In club she may have 2-3, 2 hour practice per week and 2 tournaments per month. Total weekly time is 4 to 6 hours plus travel. Tournament time varies greatly but occurs all at once and usually involves weekends.

In HS vball 3, 2.5 hour practices per week plus two matches per week that begin after school and last till 8:00 or 9:00 pm-that's 5 to 6 hours. Total weekly time is 17.5 to 19.5 hours plus travel time. The usually are a few tournaments involving weekends.

Camps are mostly in the summer lasting 3 to 5 days and private lessons are usually few because of costs.

If you are concerned about burn-out or that your daughter spends too much time on volleyball instead of other things, you now can look at where she may like to cut back. High school suffers from much weekly time spent and is the hardest on homework. Also, the weekly time spent for a single HS match versus playing time is greater compare to club ball especially in terms of playing time or game experience. Much more game experience can be had in a club games because rosters are smaller and the formats are all tournament-style.

If your daughter wants to concentrate on improving her game and using time more efficiently to do so consider playing only club ball. During the off-season she can rest longer and then focus on conditioning, speed and agility training at the right time. She may benefit more from any private lessons because she will be relaxed and more focused rather than doing the lessons because suddenly her "game is off".

If time is still an issue and if she prefers the high school experience because her school pride is so great then consider playing only high school. During the off season winter/spring she can concentrate on improving her game by joining less demanding recreation leagues, camps, outdoor volleyball, etc.. With the money saved by not joining a club she can use for multiple private lessons and timely conditioning, speed and agility training.

In summary, it is not necessary to play both club and HS volleyball in order to achieve your goals if you consider the things I wrote about above. - Experienced Parent (posted 10/30)

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Jared is right. If we won't talk about this issue it wll go away and the parents, club coaches and directors won't have to face such an uncomfortable subject. And I agree with "Waiting in Houston," too. We can always trust parents and coaches to know when their daughters are burned out. Parents would never NEVER push their daughter past the burnout stage just so they wouldn't have to pay for their daughter's college education. Never happens. And a club would never push a girl past burnout. They always put the players first. That's why club coaches are always so happy to let girls miss practices and matches for school functions like dances and proms and would never make them feel guilty. After all, it's just one of those teen-age things and this is VOLLEYBALL! So come on LoneStarVolleyball, let's find out what the favorite color of M&Ms is among players and quit bothering parents, coaches and club directors with such touchy subjects. - Amused in Fort Worth (posted 10/18)

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REPLY TO JARED...Hey Jared, check out txpreps.com and go to the volleyball board. You'll get a lot of answers there pretty quick and more MTV stuff, i guess. Oh yeah, I like Subway! (-: All white, CD in player is White Stripes. Is anyone having problems with these new volleyballs with the soft covering? Seems like ours have to be inflated every other week or so. The leathers ones we've gotten over the years are still going strong. - pooch (posted 10/17)

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I find myself a parent of a child with potential. Potential is all she has unless we provide her with the proper training. Where does that training come from? The club. As parents we all need to do what is best for our individual children. You will know if your daughter is burnt out, injured or even lacking in academics and then as a family you make your decision. Would I push a child who could crack under the pressure? No way! Is a good club organization going to push a child without promise? I doubt it. Do the girls need some down time, probably so, but the girls who love the game and want to practice will find a way!! - Awaiting the club season in Houston. (posted 10/17)

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Enough about who is ruining volleyball and all of the players or what coaches think that they are the second coming Mick Haley. Let's hear from the players - some good old fashion interviews. What is your favorite color...What is in your CD player right now...Do you like the all white volleyballs or the colored ones...Which ankle braces do you prefer? Last year this time you already had two interviews out. I am not making demands just maybe less of the 60 Minutes type stuff and more of the MTV type. And yes "you can use my name". - Jared (posted 10/17)

Editor's note: We're currently working on a series of team and player profiles that will appear over the next few weeks as we head into the playoffs.

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To concerned players, coaches, etc.... Let's just look at this problem for what it really is. In a nutshell, club volleyball is free enterprise on steroids. There is no arguement that there is or is not a problem. These larger club directors and coaches would like you to think that they are the volleyball messiah, where through only their guidance will you ever reach the promise land of college volleyball. (Where that may be true for the top D1 programs, there are many colleges out there where an athlete can play volleyball and get a great education with the assistance of athletic scholarships or other assistance at smaller college and universities.) Add that to a free enterprise system combined with a parent organization (USAV) that has few rules and regulations to club goverance, and you have a media in which greed, recruiting and egos are growing out of control.

When you get right down to it, for these large clubs, it is simply a business. You have resources and raw materials (the girls). You take your raw materials and you create a product (team or club). You market your product and sell it at the price that gives you the great profit margin. You continue to develop your product to be the best it can be to obtain the best market share you can. You get others to invest in your business (sponsors) so you can create even bigger profit margins. The problem with this business is that it forgets that their raw materials are humans, athletes, girls. The burnout, the fatigue, the pressure is little concern to them. They would like you to think that their players would rather play club than high school - at least that is their threat. They would certainly tell their players, their raw materials, that this is the case. They don't want to lose their precious resources.

First of all I think you need to look at the real numbers of participation in volleyball. So much emphasis is placed on "opportunity to play D-1". The fact of the matter is that when you are talking about the athletes going to the top D1 schools, you are talking about a VERY small percentage of the players playing club ball in Texas. The overwhelming majority of kids in club ball are just trying to improve their skills to get better in the 12 & Under through 16 & Under age groups. The kids are trying to improve their position for their school teams and in turn strengthen their school programs. If you look at the enrollment numbers in club ball in this Region, there is a significant drop in registration after 16 and Under. Most of the time, you find that this is because many players find out if they make varsity or not and then decide whether they want to strive for that scholarship or not. Sometimes, these players are multi-sport athletes that cannot devote the time to club and the upperclassman's school and other activities. Actually, when you look at participation numbers, you see a decline in every level where advancing to the next team level is concerned from Junior High to 9th grade to JV to varsity.

I am on the Board of Directors for the Lone Star Region. I can tell you that this is a problem that we have looked at constantly but there is nothing, as a region, that can be done. If we were to try to mandate a schedule of when clubs could and couldn't participate, the larger clubs would have lawsuits drawn up fast enough to make your head spin. UIL is in the same boat. They cannot legislate what is done outside the school programs, either. Many of the larger club directors already have the ear of the USAV. There is a level of elitist volleyball society being created here in the larger clubs. For all of what I have said against the larger clubs, don't get me wrong - there is a lot of good being done here in both the larger and smaller clubs. The level of play in Texas has increased phenomenally from the old days where school participation was the only way an athlete could play. The larger clubs are as much, if not more, responsible for that as they can reach more players, but the smaller clubs are addressing the players that cannot pay the huge fees of the larger clubs. It was not that long ago when you very rarely saw Texas athletes as volleyball players in the major volleyball collegiate powerhouses. Now they are everywhere.

Overall, the development of programs that allow for instruction and competition outside of schools programs has created much more positive that negative. It's just just that the biggest negative is the strain and pressure that it puts on out children and treats children as a commodity.
The problem is a great deal easier to see than the solution. The large club coaches vilify the school programs and the school coaches vilify the club programs. The best that can be done is to simply find a middle ground where we can work together for the TOTAL benefit of the player. Simply mandating a later start date for clubs to operate won't fix the problem. In fact, it would probably make it worse causing even more recruiting and, consequently, more pressure on parents and players to choose a program in a short period of time. It won't reduce the amount they charge either. The only thing it might help is take a little pressure off of the players to be able to concentrate on their school seasons and let the kid be a kid for a little while longer. I say - WHAT'S WRONG WITH THAT?

A combined effort within the club community is the only way this will get done and that would take more than one club director to take the initiative in each of the metropolitan areas. Is anyone going to volunteer? Not likely. - Concerned LSRegionRep (posted 10/16)

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I, by no means am on a "high horse", nor am I trying to hurt or anger anyone, I just wanted to get out my frustrations and concerns from a coach's stand point. I just wanted to let you know a little more about myself, before you go throwing such names around about someone that you do not even know. I think that you have me mistaken for someone else who is high up in the club ranks. I by no means have "BIG MONEY EYES" nor do I even care about the money, that is not why I coach. I have also been only around the club scene for only about 3 years. When all of this started, I thought to myself that it was going to be only a short period of time for it to explode. I know that club is expensive and some families are struggling. I do agree that it is a little pricey. I do know that a lot of clubs today are non-profit and that the kids can go out and get sponsors. Just an FYI, if your club is non-profit, they should be able to provide a letter that states their tax ID number and that they are a non-profit organization so that you can send to companies to get sponsors. It is a huge tax write off for them. With that being said, I am not going to sit here and try to explain myself, because I know who I am and I know that I am a good person. I am truly passionate about what I do and I DO care about my kids. - Concerned Club Coach (posted 10/14)

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Hey Concerned Club Coach, get off your high horse please. Are you concerned that girls and parents will see past your big money eyes and go to another club? Or concerned for the overall person that is playing for you? You mentioned that those clubs in the north aren't playing HS ball and train year round. How many girls overall even go to college to play? I know a lot who want to play, but don't have access to resources to get to play college ball. Either the club coach can't or won't help, the HS coach doesn't have time, or the parents dont' have the means to help their daughter out. You also mentioned that the National Qualifiers are a great way to get seen by college coaches in a 2-3 day period. That's great IF you're able to do that. Players do need to get more active and enhance their chances to go play in school by taking advantage of today's technology. Some colleges don't have the expense to see a vast amount of players at Qualifiers either or hear about a player, but with a quick email, CD with some hilights on it will do wonders. If that coach is interested, then the better for the athlete. Can we get some more media coverage for "the other fall sport"? (I know that's another tired arugment) In Texas? I doubt it. Some papers do what they can. I think we do agree that we want the best for our kids, but at what cost? Do not talk bad about the HS coach or the club coach. It shows bad class and will come back to bite you. Seen it happen too many times. I think most people will see past who you are anyway. They check out what you stand for. I think that's one of the reasons why there are so many smaller clubs popping up each year. Hope you all have a great "rest of the season". - Pooch (posted 10/13)

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I agree that the club season, along with the high school season, takes it's toll on a volleyball player. However, as a parent, it is our responsibility to talk to our kids to figure out what they want-not what we want. I know my daughter just wants to play, and wants to play college ball, if possible. That means she will continue to play club ball. If you are fortunate enough to have a strong high school program, and a great high school coach, then having to make a decision between club and high school will be difficult. Unfortunately, that isn't the case with my daughter and it probably isn't with the majority of high schools. Only 2 or 3 teams in each district make it to playoffs, which means there are a lot of girls on high school teams that are never seen. I don't care how good you are, if you don't have a strong team, you will not be noticed. As a setter, you cannot set without a good pass and as a hitter, you cannot hit without a good set. One or two good players cannot make it to playoffs. That makes the decision very easy-my daughter would choose club in a second. I think you would be surprised at the number of players that would choose club over high school for that reason alone. Hopefully, we can reach an agreement that could benefit both. - Dallas parent (posted 10/13)

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My daugher has been playing club for 5 yrs. and she never once ever complained about burnout. It takes a special athelete with a lot of heart to endure in any sport and they truly have to have a love for that sport. My daughter loves V-Ball because we brought her up in it at a very young age and then got her involved in club. We saw a 100% improvement in just 1 season. The rest of the Jr.High team caught on and no one could touch them on a V-Ball court. Now High School Ball was a different story. One of the moms told me before she moved out of state that we would hate HS V-ball because she had an older daughter that played club and was graduating and the HS coach put her and fellow club teammates through hell. She was not very far from the truth. It seems some HS coaches get intimidated by the skill level of some club players and feel they are not coachable. It seems to me that some HS coaches need to catch up with the times and realize us parents are making their jobs easier by developing quality atheletes with the will to win and to challenge themselves. My daughter was told by a HS coach that she was too short and not good enough to play college ball. That made my daughter work even harder and today she can make that coach eat her words by making a verbal commitment to a D1 school. HS coaches need to get over it, club ball is here to stay. - VolleyDad (posted 10/13)

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Responding to all of the "opinions", as well as mine, I think that I may have gotten a little off track when I was writing into Lonestarvolleyball. I believe that I was writing with anger and not my heart. I talked to my high school coach the other day and she completely agrees with me on that high school today is not what it was when I went through school, but that high school ball is very important for a childs future. I do believe that playing in high school does make a huge impact in your life, I just didn't see it like that when I played. Volleyball is alot BIGGER now than back then. The only time that our gym was ever packed was when we played our district rival, other than that you were talking about some of your closest friends and parents and that was it. We didn't have 1,000-2,000 people ever in a gym at one time. I know that I coach volleyball because I feel that is the way that I can give back my knowledge and compassion about the game to the kids. I do not want to believe that club will go year round, but the way that it is looking now. I agree with head coach, Becky P. from SHS, that club starts way too early and goes way too long. Kids are getting hurt right and left because there is no break from high school into club. SHS Volleygirl - I am not by any means saying that you or anyone else can not get recruited out of high school, it is just a little harder than it used to be. You also saying that none of the college information forms don't ask anything about club, if you look on many of the college volleyball web sites and look at the player profiles, it says where and who you played club for. I agree that club volleyball has gotten out of control, but how has it gotten out of control is the question? I believe by you saying that "controlling parents and coaches who care not about the player but about winning" is your view on club volleyball, is telling me that you did not have a good club experience and or did not enjoy playing club. Yes, I coach at one club, but I am good friends with a lot of other coaches that care a lot about the kids and do what is best for them. There is going to be a constant controversy over high school vs. club, but it will only end when we stop the negative talk about the sport and start letting the kids make their own decisions!! - Concerned Club Coach (posted 10/13)

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I really do hope that Concerned Club Coach's predictions don't come true. Are you telling me that playing in front 1,500 - 2,000 students, parents, and friends (last Tuesday's Arlington vs. Martin game) will fall by the wayside? I really hope not! One of the reasons kids play high school ball is to play meaningful games in front of classmates and friends. The "crowds" of 20 parents and maybe, maybe a couple of college coaches in a crowded convention hall (if you're lucky), cannot replace the atmosphere of high school games.

I agree that most clubs provide better training than high school coaches, but tell me the truth, do we really want to become a sport where only those that can afford to pay $3K to $4K a club season will able to play? And the costs are going up not down. College coaches better take a real good look at empty inner-city baseball sandlots before they shutout a complete generation of athletes!

I know this old school and naive, but what happened to playing a sport because it is fun! We parents and coaches of all ilk are ruining sports by forcing our kids to play highly competitive win all costs club games at 12!!

The truth, which clubs don't want you think about, is that all the propagation of clubs has not increased the number of scholarships schools have to give. Most clubs ( and high schools) are lucky to get one or two seniors into major programs. My kid is an above average player who has chosen not to play in college although she has received interest from smaller college programs, she is burned out. I really now wish I had the $20K to $25K I wasted on club ball to pay for her college education! - A Broke Club Parent! (posted 10/11)

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So you are telling me, concerned club coach, that only the good players play club ball and that is your not in club ball then your never going to get a scholarship to play at a college. I think that is ridiculous!! If your good enough and you work hard to get them to look at you then you will go where ever you want, regardless of Club ball or not. On all the papers for volleyball I have filled out there is only one line on the whole page asking about club ball. ONE. I also think that it is getting way out of control. I was thinking about playing club UNTIL I read all the info on it. Where is my time to rest? Where is my time for school? The 1st tryouts where on the day of my 2nd district. And if I made it it ran all the way till July 2004. That is way too long. Just face it club ball has gotten out of control mainly by controlling parents and coaches who care not about the player but about winning. When is it going to be enough? - SHS Volleygirl (posted 10/11)

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I believe the girls are better off playing high school first, clubs second. Sure, the ambitious girls should play the clubs because that's where the coaches scout but year-round and in lieu of playing in high school? When the club players who skipped high school play are a lot older, most will miss having played for their school for some real honors noted by their peers like All-District and All-State that clubs can't offer. Let's face it, playing volleyball or any other sport today in college at the Division I level is a job. If that's the only way you can get an education, sure go for it. Otherwise, I think most athletes are better off learning how to survive and prosper in the real world outside of the cocoon that big-time college sports put you in for four to five years. Here's one other factor to consider before having a child pour heart and soul into the race for a scholarship. At least half the girls on the team in college don't play very much because somebody else is better than they are. I don't know if it's a lot of fun to work-out all day and miss a lot of social things about college for the opportunity to be a part-time player which most of them become. - Dad in the Desert (posted 10/11)

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I played volleyball for 8 years, 2 of those in college. I now am a club volleyball coach for one of "voted best clubs in the state of Texas". From the coaching stand point, there are many other issues and points of interest and concern that parents don't ever like to address....Like recruiting or play time or coaching. Any college coach will tell you that your child does not get recruited out of high school any longer. When I played club volleyball, it was just starting to become something big, but college coaches were fitting in the time to come to high school matches. Now that club is HUGE across the country, they can attend one National Qualifier and see the best kids in the country, in a short period of 2-3 days. The day will come when there is no more high school volleyball and club will be played year round. Just like travel baseball, softball and soccer, volleyball is finally catching up. The kids that play up north at one of the prestige clubs in America, don't even play high school volleyball and train year round with their club. And 99.9% of those kids are playing at big schools today. The competition is what these kids and parents thrive for these days, and high school isn't cutting it anymore. But to save all the bad raps and drama that "club" coaches take, if it wasn't for us, then high school programs would not be as good as they are today. We are having these non stop arguments with high school coaches about having try-outs too early, when plain and simple, we are doing them a favor by their kids not worrying about where they will play during their high school season. Also, you have those high school coaches that are affiliated and or run clubs, that push their kids to play for their clubs, when more than half of their team plays else where and are still getting the job done in matches. I just don't understand it, if I were a high school coach, and I choose not to be, I would want my kids to go where they are going to get the best training! I am ready now to take all of the constructive comments that parents have to say. Step out of the box and think of your kids future. Is high school and are high school coaches going to get your child where they need to be if they are going to play college volleyball? That is the real question! - Concerned Club
Coach (posted 10/9)

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A concerned parent 10/9/03. I disagree with everything as a parent you are looking for the best for your children. And my concern was to get my daughter a scholarship in any sport that she loves to do. My daughter plays club volleyball and not high school due to the fact she gets to rest during school season. You say why? Because you don't hardly see the college scouts at high games unless your team is in playoffs. And most of the team that are in payoffs are (club players) 80%. So the best thing is for my daughter to play club where she get exposer at this big qualifiers, nationals. And yes my daughter is a Senior and is now getting a full ride to SWT, so you tell me what is it going to take to get your daughter to the top? Your going to have to sacrifice something? Yes, there is alot of burn outs and body's not resting. I agree that club is not the problem here. There is that time where parents needs to make a decision. - Texas Parent (posted 10/9)

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The e-mail from "A Concerned Parent 10/7" was right on the money. I couldn't have expressed this problem better myself. I, too, have a daughter that has played club for 5 years, gone to Nationals for 4 (therefore, playing 10 out of 12 months including school). It is a vicious cycle with parents and coaches equally to blame. The article was excellent and timely. Hopefully, some club directors and coaches will take note of this very serious problem and make some much needed changes. - Concerned Mom in West Texas (posted 10/8)

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My daughter has played club for the past 5 years, playing year round, returning from Nationals to prepare for high school. Some of the reason that it is going year round is PARENTS. The club team she plays on insists on starting in December/January and then qualifying for Nationals. During our parent meeting, I adamantly voted to wait, but when you are only one up against 5 or 6 then majority wins. Then when the kids don't play well at nationals, the parents find everyone to blame but the real culprit.

The cycle has begun and it's time to get off, but how do you stop when kids/parents feel that their kids need more touches, more tournaments, more coaches, more, more, more in order to be on varsity?

The kids are so frustrated with school ball, because they are used to playing on teams with 8 or 9 then school ball comes and there are 12 players on a team. Everyone wants to play. No one likes to sit, so it becomes a fight for playing time. More club, more lessons, more, more, more.

Kids are getting burned out, but I don't think that club can be completely at fault nor do I think that it is one thing. I know a few kids that quit their senior year because of the coach, some because of parent pressures, some because of the club pressures. It is a vicious cycle and I understand the pressure school coaches are in as well as the clubs wanting to have the top teams, so in order to accomplish their goals, they start recruiting early.

Everyone has to get on the same page if it will ever work, this includes high school coaches, club coaches & directors, regional commissioners, and most importantly USA Volleyball. Everything has to be complete by the middle of May for Nationals, yet we don't have the tournament for nearly 2 months. That's a ton of down time and a lot of extended expenses for parents and an expense that may be too high for our kids-----burnout!!! Kids that play volleyball don't have a summer!!! That's sad!!! - A concerned parent (posted 10/7)

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Your article was timely and AMAZING!!! All I can say is....... from your mouth to SOMEONE'S EARS.....it was as if you read my mind. I have been spouting off about these issues for years now. I have seen two of my kids go through volleyball, and talked with numerous parents on these very pertinent issues, through many years of being in gyms around the entire country. There is quite a ground swell on these issues, and someone, somewhere has to get it under control, before it is too late. I have been saying for years there will be a backlash at the college level, and mark my words....it will happen!!

Volleyball has become year round. This is what it has come to for many parents and kids to stay "in the game"....that is so sad. These girls feel compelled to do whatever it takes to stay in the game. They do whatever dictates come forth from both school and club. In my older daughter's day, they were not allowed to try out for club during varsity season...it was an iron clad rule. There was respect between club and school. Now, these girls are overworked to the point that they lose their love of the game. I have observed and heard several girls in club and high school, as have many other parents I know, that the girls don't want to play college as they are burned out....exactly what you quoted in your article. They will never say it to their parents or coaches....but many of us have overheard them saying this very thing to each other.

This should not be happening. Your article was right on the money. How did it become a year round sport? Where is a break time for their bodies, and some down time???? And in the past TWO YEARS, I can't tell you how often that kind of talk has elevated from when my older daughter came through volleyball....the escalation of "burn out" and time drain is quite alarming.....and that from an admitted volleyball junkie!!!!!!! My daughter says she hears the words "burn out" constantly in the volleyball community of young athletes, and this talk is alarming to her as well, as a young athlete. She wonders who will be left to play with....will we lose good athletes???

To take this in an interesting direction that your article did not address, I would like to let you know comments I hear from health professionals. Maybe someone will listen. We have had a remarkable and respected orthopedist parent on our club teams who told me all he seems to see these days is mostly volleyball athletes with injuries from overuse, and/or improperly monitored or overstressed workouts. He felt that no one seems to recognize that although girls have to be very fit, and skilled in their sport, they should not be treated like guys. He felt we have taken the push too far, and that is why he is seeing so many injuries that could be avoided. He was saddened to think of the numbers of these girls that will have future problems with back, shoulders, etc as they age. He, and other therapists feel strongly that the push and necessity to buff up, etc....is not nearly as important as being stretched, warmed up, flexible, and basically fit. He felt that you must look at the sport you are in, and tailor your workouts to that. Unfortunately, most public schools are quick to rush through the warm up and cool down of bodies, due to time constraints. Most girls will not tell if they have an injury for fear of not playing. So the injured girls end up at orthopedist, therapists, and the like. We have known many athletes (even from college teams) that go to therapists on the sly, so they can get back out on the court. They go because they know that some of the newer, alternative methods work for them in keeping their body stretched and flexible and less prone to injury from the overuse. This, of course, is another whole article....when will we marry up all the different modalities and use them all to the healing of an athlete, instead of every trainer/therapist/doctor/chiropractor thinking that their way is the only cure for the athlete? But I digress...

In summary, thank you for your much needed, and enlightening article to the volleyball community. It has been so needed for years, and I am glad someone has finally written it. Now how do we get your article to a larger audience, and initiate dialogue from the top of the volleyball community and on down through the ranks? I will continue to hope for the volleyball community to wake up and address these issues. I fear if they are not corrected, the ranks of our volleyball athletes at every level of play will be impacted negatively in the future. Thank you so much for your caring article on these issues. - Patti E (posted 10/7)

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Thank you for having the guts to address this problem. Club volleyball is getting, and has been for years, getting out of control. Most girls who play both school and club ball will spend 10-11 months out of the year playing volleyball. All coaches, both club and high school, need to figure out these girls actually have other interests both inside and outside the sports world. I think it's time for the USJVA to step up and define a season and regulate clubs tighter on a state, regional, and local basis.

People fought with the UIL for years over club team issues in a variety of sports, not just volleyball and I was one of them. The monster that has transpired now makes me realize maybe the old fossils in Austin were right after all! - RS, Arlington (posted 10/7)

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Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I don't think the coaches or club directors realize the pressure they put on these girls. The girls want to enjoy their high school experiences but they are made to feel like they aren't as "serious" as the other players if they even talk about something like missing a tournament for their prom. Trust me, when these girls grow up the memories we as parents want them to have from their youth should be more than spending weekends in dusty gyms at club tournaments feeding the ego of their coach. - Club mom in Houston (posted 10/7)

I noticed that there are some teams ranked in the 5A and 4A coaches poll that don't even make the bubble on your rankings. Some of them have great won-loss records. What's the deal with that? - Confused in West Texas (posted 10/3)

Editor's note: As we've said on numerous occasions over the past couple of years, it takes more than a good record to impress us. You can go to almost any area of the state and find teams with only one or two losses but they have not done it against the top teams. West Texas is a good example. We had a couple of West Texas teams we were looking at early, but they struggled in tournaments featuring top teams early in the season and we had to drop them from the rankings. North Texas has a history of sending teams to the playoffs with big records but once they hit Houston they are knocked out rather easily. It's not too late for those teams not in the rankings or the bubble, but they'll have to prove they deserve a spot by beating top teams in the playoffs.

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I told you Midland High was coming around. The coach is still moving players in and out, but the core is set. Ranked No. 8 in the current coaches poll. This is all done without a player over 5'10". I'm telling you, "These girls can play and they bring it all every game." I will not jump up and down until they beat Abilene High on Saturday (@ MHS' oven of a gym), but when they do, you guys ought to take notice and give them a little respect in your next poll. Thanks - WT Vball Fan (posted 10/3)

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I appreciate all the good work you guys do at LONESTARVOLLEYBALL.com. Your website is well put together and it is a good site to follow for those of us who have girls playing in the Greater Houston Area.

That said, I do detect a bias towards the Cy-Fair I.S.D. schools. Yes, they do have a couple of very good schools in that district, but to rank Cy Creek ahead of Stratford requires quite a bit of optimism and just as much vested interest.

I'm neither impressed nor interested in the "..well, who won the most recent match...?" excuse. I'm giving Cy Creek credit as being a very worthy opponent...just not worthy of the higher ranking.

Overall W/L records and two wins out of three meetings should be sufficient to give SHS the nod. - Fan of a Fan of a Player (posted 9/29)

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Does anyone realize that people are playing Volleyball in West Texas? There are tons of good, I mean great teams out here. All the way from 1A to 5A. Why is there no coverage of volleyball in this area? People should really take a look at what is going on over here. Who you might ask yourself plays in West Texas? Here's just a little list of some top teams: Midland, Abilene, San Angelo, Monahans, Denver City, Crane, Alpine, Wink and the list continues on and on. How about some respect? - KH (posted 9/23)

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You folks do a great job keeping us up to speed with the high level view of volleyball in Texas. I, on the other hand, have been focused on the ground level play of the teams in district 26-5A and 28-5A. My view so far is that the most unpredictable team, when it comes to playing to the rankings, is Churchill. Most of the team is very young and they do most of the things that you would expect from a young team except for one. They have become more and more able to execute when they believe the match is at stake. Their well known talent takes the leadership role in this but the so far unrecognized play from the balance of the strong starting line up is what makes the difference. This is how Churchill beat us last Friday and we aren’t pushovers. (Which makes me wonder why Judson isn’t ranked or at least mentioned?) Anyway, if Churchill develops the ability to apply this focus to an entire match they will perform better than their present ranking. Developing this ability is something Churchill has the opportunity to do in district play while Clark coasts. Clark has no competition in district play and they are just going through the motions while Churchill is playing us, Madison, and Regan. San Antonio volleyball is really something to watch this year. - SA JAF (posted 9/23)

Editor's note: We agree. There is no question that the power base for Texas high school volleyball is currently Central Texas, in general, and San Antonio, in particular.

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Just wanted you to know that we are still playing volleyball in West Texas. Midland High is playing extremely and will be a team to reckon with if the coach ever settles on a starting lineup and stays with it. During pre-district all the seniors were given an opportunity to earn a spot, it should be obvious by now who can play and who can't. If the lineup remains stable, MHS will do well in the playoffs. - WT Vball Fan (posted 9/21)

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The tournament pool play games to 15 I think is a good idea that way you can get the pool play out of the way quicker. There are alot of those games and sometimes they are one right after the other and can get tiring on players. What does it matter the number of points as long as there is a win!! - SHSvolleygirl (posted 9/10)

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The rankings look really good except for New Braunfuls being number 14.....What is that...they got creamed by so many teams at Pearland! I would just like to know who they are beating to be number 14 in the state. - Wondering in Houston (posted 9/10)

Editor's note: Prior to Pearland, the only loss had been to Boerne. Wins included SA Churchill, SA Reagan, Hays, Westwood, SA Judson and they also beat Wimberley the match after Wimberley beat Austin Westlake. The Unicorn slide continued Tuesday night, with yet another loss.

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Everyone is doing articles on schools except St. Mary's Hall (SPC). They are holding their own against schools just as Boerne. I realize we are a private school but you have outstanding players there too. We are a SPC school. It wouldn't hurt if you cover them as well instead of waiting till they win SPC again! - SC (posted 9/9)

Editor's note: SAsports.com has a good story on St. Mary's Hall and their talented players. We plan to look at some of the top SPC teams in a few weeks.

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I would just like to reiterate how riduculous rally scoring to 15 is and the need to change this for next year. I guess the tournaments could just eliminate pool play altogether. You know there's something wrong when the warm up time exceeds the playing time of the contest!! - B.C. (posted 9/8)

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Love the volleyball coverage, but did anyone from your staff see the results of the Katy tournament!!! I'm confused!!! Cinco Ranch,Elkins,and Tomball! Please!! - tstfran (posted 9/5)