A Peek into the Volleyball Team’s Offseason

Contributor: Sarah Chen, AAC Chair of Athletic Events

Varsity volleyball at Avenues is much more than just a fall sport–it's a year-round passion for many of the team’s players, fueled by their participation in competitive club volleyball. Team A’s Coach Wilson, who also runs NYC Juniors volleyball club, shares how this helps her players grow.

“Club volleyball is a completely different experience,” she explains. With the longer season, age-specific teams, and high-level competition, players can focus on building their individual skills and compete against the best athletes in the area. The season runs from November through May, with top-tier teams traveling across the country, showcasing their skills to college coaches. This extensive training pays off during the school season, where players bring sharpened skills and better strategies into the Avenues gym.

While the school season is short–just 8 to 10 weeks–it’s packed with games and team-oriented practices. In contrast, the club season provides players with ample time to focus on position-specific training and gradual skill development. "The high level of competition tends to motivate athletes to put in extra work to earn playing time on a top-tier team," Coach notes.

In addition to club volleyball, the team kicks off the year with an intensive preseason. Two weeks of two-a-day practices and strength training not only prepares them physically but also gives players the time to bond with each other.“The long hours in the gym before the start of the school year serve as a great bonding experience for the team, and an opportunity to set standards and expectations for the season," Coach Wilson says.

Off season isn't just about building technical skills–it's also about building community. Coach Wilson regularly checks in with her players, attends their club tournaments, and celebrates milestones such as college commitments. Coach says that she wants all athletes to know they’re part of the Avenues volleyball family, no matter where life takes them when reflecting on Olive’s transfer to IMG Academy. Everyone’s situation is unique, and she supports athletes in making the best decisions for themselves.

Looking back, Coach Wilson says that she treasures the moments that defined the team’s spirit: the energy of packed home games, comeback victories, and traditions like fans singing “You Are My Sunshine” whenever Sunshine Brown went back to serve. Highlights include the unforgettable home win against Poly Prep in 2022, capped by a game-winning block from Lelolai Paulino-Dinzey, and this year’s thrilling playoff victory over LuHi with three consecutive kills by Legend Phillips.

“I enjoy coaching both school and club volleyball, but I have always felt there is something very special about the high school sports experience. I love to see athletes grow in the program over the years, and become leaders as upperclassmen,” Coach Wilson concludes.“The ability to have athletes from several grades playing together and learning from one another is invaluable. The traditions that build over time, and the community aspect, where peers come to support their classmates, is something that stays with you long after you graduate. I have so many unforgettable memories surrounding school volleyball over 20+ years of coaching, and from my own high school experience.”

READ THE FULL INTERVIEW W/ COACH WILSON!! 

Q: I’ve heard that many players on the volleyball team play for your volleyball club. Can you tell us more in detail about the volleyball club you run and how it differs from the school volleyball season?

A: Volleyball players who want to pursue the sport outside of the school season often play for travel club teams. I run a club called NYC Juniors, which fields teams in 11U-18U age groups, and I coach a nationally competitive 14U team. The club volleyball season typically runs after the school season, November-May, and often provides year-round training. The season is much longer for clubs, is organized by specific age/grade, and typically requires a lot of weekend travel to compete against other clubs in the northeast. The highest level teams travel around the country to compete against other top teams, and to showcase their talent for college coaches. 

 

Q: What skills or strategies do players typically develop during the club season that translate well to the school team?

A: The high school volleyball season is very short, typically only 8-10 weeks, with 2-3 games per week. Due to limited practice time, most of the school season is spent working on skills and strategies specific to your team. There is not much time for building individual technical skills. By contrast, the long club season allows for extensive, position-specific training, and an opportunity to gradually build a variety of skills over time. Playing on a club team is also a chance to play with and against the top athletes in the area. Many club team athletes are standout players on their school teams. The high level of competition tends to motivate athletes to put in extra work to earn playing time on a top-tier team.

Q. What kinds of activities or training does the volleyball team engage in during the off-season(or pre-season)?

A: The varsity volleyball team participates in intensive preseason training, which includes two-a-day practices and strength and conditioning for two weeks. The long hours in the gym before the start of the school year serve as a great bonding experience for the team, and an opportunity to set standards and expectations for the season. Once the school season has ended, most varsity players immediately begin training with their club teams, so we do not do any formal off-season training as an Avenues team.

Q. Are there any specific team-building exercises or traditions you carry out with the team during the offseason?

A:During the off-season, I make an effort to check-in with Avenues volleyball players throughout the school year, specifically talking about how their club seasons are going and about planning for next school season. Because I am so involved in the competitive club community, I am also able to see many of our athletes compete at their travel tournaments. We also take opportunities to celebrate our teammates who commit to play in college and at the annual Avenues Athletics Banquet. 

Q. A star middle on the team, Olive, transferred mid-year to IMG Academy—how do you support players who transfer or pursue volleyball at a higher level, like Olive did?

A: I support any opportunity students have to grow as athletes and as people. Players choose which local club is best for them, some choose to pursue other sports or interests, and others may choose to transfer for athletic, academic, or family reasons. Everyone's situation is unique. Selfishly, I want to keep every strong student-athlete in our program, but I try to be as honest and unbiased as possible when it comes to supporting players through difficult decisions. I do my best to ensure all athletes know that the team and I support them in whatever decision they feel is the best for them, and let them know they will always be part of the Avenues volleyball family.

Q:. What do you find most rewarding about coaching volleyball across both school and club seasons?

A: I enjoy coaching both school and club volleyball, but I have always felt there is something very special about the high school sports experience. I love to see athletes grow in the program over the years, and become leaders as upperclassmen. The ability to have athletes from several grades playing together and learning from one another is invaluable. The traditions that build over time, and the community aspect, where peers come to support their classmates, is something that stays with you long after you graduate. I have so many unforgettable memories surrounding school volleyball over 20+ years of coaching, and from my own high school experience.

Q: Are there any standout moments from this or past years that made you particularly proud as a coach?

A: I love home games in the Avenues gym when we pack the stands. It's so loud and intimidating, and makes the experience so fun for everyone. The home win over Poly Prep in 2022 will go down in Avenues volleyball history, and was probably the biggest crowd ever in our gym. I remember so many details from that night, most notably then-Sophomore Lelolai Paulino-Dinzey blocking a future Olympian for match point. This year, I was extremely proud of a 5 set come-from-behind victory against LuHi in the NYSAIS playoffs, ending with three straight kills from Legend Phillips, and also remember an awesome group of fans making up cheers for individual team members like singing "You are my Sunshine" whenever Sunshine Brown went back to serve.