Gearing Up For Gulf Shores
Gulf Shores, Alabama is a popular place for beach volleyball. Here's what you must know weather-wise when you visit for a tournament.
The Ultimate Team Sport
Welcome to volleyball, the game that teaches teamwork like no other. Communication, teamwork, and an ability to improve your situation no matter what; these are just some things you’ll learn from volleyball. It’s a lifelong game that can be played anywhere: on sand, on grass, hardcourt or even on snow.
Welcome to volleyball. Whether you’re a beginner making your first pass or a veteran cutting it across the net, we’re glad you’re here.
The Path to the Podium
1 Why Volleyball?
From picking up a new lifelong hobby to making five great friends, discover why volleyball is the perfect sport to play, as a child or an adult.
2 Learning the Basics
Now that you want to play volleyball, how should you get started? The Play section has all the basics you need to know, including the rules you need to know and skills you will eventually learn.
3 Join a Team
After picking up the game, joining a team is a great way to build your skills. It doesn’t matter if it’s school or club play, joining a team will give you the opportunity to have fun and improve your skills. Start by contacting your Region.
4 Accelerate Your Training
Are you a strong player that wants to keep getting better? Learn about the National Team Development Program and follow in the footsteps of USA Volleyball Olympians & Paralympians.
5 Heading to College
Being recruited by a college? Have a dream of playing in college someday? Here’s what you need to know about playing volleyball in college, from a breakdown of the levels available to advice on picking your perfect school.
6 Making the Big Time
Want to turn professional? Here’s what you need to know about volleyball at the highest level, either at home or internationally.
Get Started with a USA Volleyball Membership
Find your Region
Alaska Region
Julie Weber, Commissioner
P.O. Box 242394
Anchorage, AK 99524
Phone: (907) 339-9911
Email Alaska Region websiteOfficials Information
Referee Chair: Willy Reeder
Scorer Chair: Willy Reeder
Beach Chair: Beach Commission
Aloha Region
Kent Ma, Commissioner
45-795 Po'okela St.
Kaneohe, HI 96744
Phone: (808) 247-0249
Email Aloha Region websiteOfficials Information
Referee Chair: Wayne Lee
Scorer Chair: Wayne Lee
Beach Chair: Wayne Lee
Arizona Region
Harold Cranswick, Commissioner
7100 W. Erie Street
Chandler, AZ 85226
Phone: (480) 306-8094
Email Arizona Region websiteOfficials Information
Referee Chair: Earl Capps
Scorer Chair: Kristi Trachte
Beach Chair: Ron Pelham
Badger Region
Jennifer Armson-Dyer, Executive Director/Commissioner
2831 Grandview Blvd., Ste. 105
Pewaukee, WI 53072
Phone: (262) 349-9785
Email Badger Region websiteOfficials Information
Referee Chair: Teague Prichard
Scorer Chair: Alexis Sheldon
Beach Chair: Sara Voigt
Bayou Region
John Cline, Commissioner
7226 Success St.
Arabi, LA 70032
Phone: (504) 452-9522
Email Bayou Region websiteOfficials Information
Referee Chair: Angelle Simms
Scorer Chair: JJ Stone
Beach Chair: Angelle Simms
Carolina Region
Kevin Wendelboe, Commissioner/Executive Director
PO Box 1757
Clemmons, NC 27012-1757
Phone: (336) 766-3581
Email Carolina Region websiteOfficials Information
Referee Chair: Stephen Shepherd
Scorer Chair: Amber Fulk
Beach Chair: Ronnie Mutter
Chesapeake Region
Lisa DiGiacinto, Commissioner
114 Broadview Blvd N
Glen Burnie, MD 21061
Phone: (410) 768-4746
Email Chesapeake Region website
Columbia Empire Region
Cody March, Executive Director
4915 SW Griffith Drive Suite 101
Beaverton, OR 97005-3450
Phone: (503) 644-7468
Email Columbia Empire Region websiteOfficials Information
Referee Chair: Marcia Costley
Scorer Chair: Paula Martin
Beach Chair: Beach Commission
Delta Region
Joe Williams, Commissioner
1102 Laurelwood Ct
Jonesboro, AR 72401
Phone: (870) 933-8110
Email Delta Region websiteOfficials Information
Referee Chair: Keith Hutchison
Scorer Chair: Megan Henry
Beach Chair: Beach Commission
Evergreen Region
Meredith Coupland, Commissioner
408 N Mullan Rd Suite 101
Spokane Valley, WA 99806
Phone: (509) 290-5552
Email Evergreen Region websiteOfficials Information
Referee Chair: Linda Kildew
Scorer Chair: Barbara Twohig
Beach Chair: Beach Commission
Excelsior Empire
Florida Region
Steve Bishop, Executive Director/President
15010 US Highway 441
Eustis, FL 32726
Phone: (352) 742-0080
Email Florida Region websiteOfficials Information
Referee Chair: Darin Clark
Scorer Chair: DJ Clark
Beach Chair: James Phillips
Garden Empire Region
Kevin DesLauriers, Commissioner
4940 Merrick Road #327
Massapequa Park, NY 11762
Phone: (914) 930-6368
Email Garden Empire Region websiteOfficials Information
Referee Chair: Tim Countryman
Scorer Chair: Tim Countryman
Beach Chair: Beach Commission
Gateway Region
Steve Mueth, Commissioner
Phone: (314) 849-1221
Email Gateway Region websiteOfficials Information
Referee Chair: Augie Werner
Scorer Chair: Debbie Palmer
Beach Chair: Beach Commission
Great Lakes Region
Dan Ames, Commissioner
745 McClintock Dr Suite 314
Burr Ridge, IL 60527
Phone: (630) 986-9000
Email Great Lakes Region websiteOfficials Information
Officials Chair: Janice McGeary
Great Plains Region
Craig Wiedel, Commissioner
7595 Main Street
Ralston, NE 68127
Phone: (402) 593-9670
Email Great Plains Region websiteOfficials Information
Referee Chair: Ryan Tighe
Scorer Chair: Eloise Hiemke
Beach Chair: Ryan Tighe
Gulf Coast Region
Philip Bryant, Commissioner
P.O. Box 1985
Orange Beach, AL 36561
Phone: (251) 979-4287
Email Gulf Coast Region websiteOfficials Information
Referee Chair: Lane Lawley
Scorer Chair: Lori Lawley
Beach Chair: Crystal Lewis
Heart of America Region
Lisa Madsen, Commissioner
548 South Coy Street
Kansas City, KS 66105
Phone: (913) 233-0445
Email Heart of America Region websiteOfficials Information
Referee Chair: Ric Washburn
Scorer Chair: Ric Washburn
Beach Chair: Ric Washburn
Hoosier Region
Terry Sweasy, Commissioner
13551 E 300 S
Columbus , IN 47203
Email
Hoosier Region website
Officials Information
Referee Chair: Jason Marshall
Scorer Chair: Rod Rodriguez
Beach Chair: Beach Commission
Intermountain Region
Jason Badell
124 South 400 East, Ste 310
Salt Lake City, UT 84111
Phone: (801) 910-2772
Email Intermountain Region websiteOfficials Information
Officials Co-Chair: Kaylene Cragun
Officials Co-Chair: Liz McKnight
Iowa Region
Brett Myres, Commissioner
8170 Hickman Road, Suite 5
Clive, IA 50325-4405
Phone: (515) 727-1860
Email Iowa Region websiteOfficials Information
Referee Chair: Al Cleary
Scorer Chair: Craig Werner
Beach Chair: Brett Myres
Iroquois Empire Region
Hazel Goldstein, Commissioner
590 Mullock Rd.
Port Jervis, NY 12771
Phone: (845) 978-1663
Email Iroquois Empire Region websiteOfficials Information
Referee Chair: Leo Gameng
Scorer Chair: Jim Kramar
Beach Chair: Leo Gameng
Keystone Region
Michelle Carlton, Commissioner
1013 Brookside Rd., Suite 203
Wescoville, PA 18106
Phone: (610) 737-6944
Email Keystone Region websiteOfficials Information
Referee Chair: Michelle Carlton
Scorer Chair: Michelle Carlton
Beach Chair: Chris Ho
Lakeshore Region
Eric Lazowski, Commissioner
4225 Miller Rd Suite 235
Flint, MI 48507
Phone: 616-822-8752
Email Lakeshore Region websiteOfficials Information
Referee Chair: Henry Chen
Scorer Chair: Henry Chen
Beach Chair: Beach Commission
Lone Star Region
Will Vick, Commissioner
1608 Canyon Oak
Schertz, TX 78154
Phone: (210) 945-4365
Email Lone Star Region websiteOfficials Information
Referee Chair: Joe Campbell
Scorer Chair: Steve Crane
Beach Chair: Carlos Rodriguez
Moku O Keawe Region
Angie Andrade-Morioka, Commissioner
178 Pohai St.
Hilo, HI 96720
Email
Moku O Keawe Region website
Officials Information
Referee Chair: Dane Maikui
Scorer Chair: Gail Rosehill
Beach Chair: Beach Commission
New England Region
Dave Peixoto, Commissioner
3893 Acushnet Ave.
New Bedford, MA 02745
Phone: (508) 922-0803
Email New England Region websiteOfficials Information
Referee Chair: Tim Velozo
Scorer Chair: Tyrone Fuertes
Beach Chair: Dave Carson
North Country Region
Laura Bush, Commissioner
4445 West 77th St., Ste. 237
Edina, MN 55435
Phone: (952) 831-9150, ext. 3
Email North Country Region websiteOfficials Information
Referee Chair: Travis Karlin
Scorer Chair: Travis Karlin
Beach Chair: Travis Karlin
North Texas Region
Andy Reitinger, Commissioner
22 Prestige Circle, Suite 100
Allen, TX 75002
Phone: (469) 326-1873
Email North Texas Region websiteOfficials Information
Referee Chair: Greg Krueger
Scorer Chair: Janna Ter Molen
Beach Chair: Beach Commission
Northern California Region
Donna Donaghy, Commissioner
5621 Skylane Blvd.
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
Phone: (415) 550-7582
Email Northern California Region websiteOfficials Information
Referee Chair: Jon Carlino
Scorer Chair: Jon Carlino
Beach Chair: Jon Carlino
Ohio Valley Region
Brian Hofman, Commissioner
315 Johnson Road
Phone: (419) 905-6414 (preferred)
Email Ohio Valley Region websiteOfficials Information
Referees Chair: Brian Hemelgarn
Oklahoma Region
Shawn McCarty, Commissioner
18605 Alberto Place
Edmond, OK 73012
Phone: (405) 285-6622
Email Oklahoma Region websiteOfficials Information
Referee Chair: Margo Juergens
Scorer Chair: Margo Juergens
Beach Chair: Beach Commission
Old Dominion Region
Skip Weston, Commissioner
PO Box 6828
Richmond, VA 23230
Email
Old Dominion Region website
Officials Information
Referee Chair: Bob Kyle
Scorer Chair: Patsy Neal
Beach Chair: Keith Murlless
Palmetto Region
Jimmy Peden, Commissioner
137 Gardenia Dr.
Ninety Six, SC 29666
Phone: (864) 576-3700
Email Palmetto Region websiteOfficials Information
Referee Chair: Luis Martinez
Scorer Chair: Kirsten Boessneck
Beach Chair: Beach Commission
Pioneer Region
Ron Kordes, Commissioner
1820 Taylor Avenue
Louisville, KY 40213
Phone: (502) 473-1200 ext. 211
Email Pioneer Region websiteOfficials Information
Referee Chair: Donnie Goodwin
Scorer Chair: Nancy Funk
Beach Chair: Beach Commission
Puget Sound Region
Cindy Compoc, Commissioner
4210 198th St SW Suite 111
Lynnwood , WA 98036
Phone: 425-673-4103
Email Puget Sound Region websiteOfficials Information
Referee Chair: Robyn Buck
Scorer Chair: Robyn Buck
Beach Chair: Beach Commission
Rocky Mountain Region
Keith Murlless, Executive Director
4155 E Jewell Ave., Suite #909
Denver, CO 80222
Phone: (303) 584 0376
Email Rocky Mountain Region websiteOfficials Information
Referee Chair: Jim Henthorn
Scorer Chair: Kent Haggard
Beach Chair: Beach Commission
Southern California Region
Ann Davenport, Commissioner
14522 Myford Road
Irvine, CA 92606
Phone: (657) 600-9898
Email Southern California Region websiteOfficials Information
Officials Chair: Ken Taylor
Southern Region
Steve Kenyon, Commissioner
105 Rounsaville Court
Roswell, GA 30076
Phone: 844) 219-2976
Email Southern Region websiteOfficials Information
Referee Chair: Mark Prater
Scorer Chair: Kim Kenyon
Beach Chair: Duane Holben
Sun Country Region
Mark Noble, Commissioner
4233 W. Farmers Ave.
Amarillo , TX 79110
Phone: (806) 681-5458
Email Sun Country Region websiteOfficials Information
Referee Chair: Steve Franco
Scorer Chair: Rory Arisumi
Beach Chair: Beach Commission
Western Empire Region
Rocco Lucci Jr, Commissioner
P.O. Box 593
Varysburg, NY 14167
Phone: (716) 481-4871
Email Western Empire Region websiteOfficials Information
Referee Chair: Frank Cwiklinski
Scorer Chair: TBD
Beach Chair: Roger Majeski
KeyResources
Building Mental Skills
Volleyball players of any discipline will benefit more from developing mental strength than any physical strength. Mental toughness and acumen will determine success in volleyball just as much as physical skills. Here’s how you can boost the mental part of your game.
Discipline-Specific Skills
Looking to improve your volleyball-specific skills? Whether you’re playing in the sand, on the court or on the ground, there’s plenty of ways to keep improving.
Meet Team USA
Learn all about the athletes who are currently representing USA Volleyball on the U.S. National Team. Hear their stories and follow them on their journey to the Olympic & Paralympic Games.
Don’t Bully the Passion Out of Greatness
Don’t ever let anyone tell you that just being you isn’t good enough. Don’t ever let them make you feel like you aren’t worth anything or that you aren’t important. You have a purpose.
When You Disagree
Respectful communication is a key tool for young athletes to learn in both sports and life.
Your Top College Recruiting Questions Answered
If you’re in high school and serious about volleyball, you’re probably thinking about playing in college. We’ve provided answers to some of the most-often asked college recruiting questions to help you start your recruiting journey.
Are Plant-Based Meats Created Equal?
Plant-based meat products have become ultra-popular in recent years, with many of the standard fast-food places now offering a vegan meat option. Unfortunately, not every plant-based patty is going to be a healthy substitute.
U.S. Beach Olympic Qualifying Update TEST
TEST COLORADO SPRINGS TEST, Colo. (March 25, 2021) – The 2021 race for beach volleyball slots at the Tokyo Olympic Games got off to a good start at the FIVB World Tour four-star event on March 8-12 in Doha, Qatar. TEST USA Volleyball placed two teams each in the women’s and the men’s medal matches...
USA Volleyball Adds Collegiate Division to Open National Championship
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (March 17, 2021) – For the first time, college players will have a competition of their own in conjunction with the USA Volleyball Open National Championship. USAV will host a Collegiate National Championship as part of its 2021 Open National Championship on May 28-30 at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, Ky....
Updated Professional Club Transfer List for 2020-21
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (March 16, 2021) – USA Volleyball has updated its transfer list for the 2020-21 professional club season. USA Volleyball has processed 301 transfer certificates (230 women and 71 men) for the 2020-21 season. These certificates allow U.S. citizens to play professional volleyball in other countries. For the women, Germany leads the way...
Beach Teams Battle for Qualifier Slots at Doha Four-Star
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Feb. 18, 2021) – Two U.S. men’s beach volleyball teams and one women’s team have qualified for the Katara Cup, an FIVB four-star event on March 8-12 in Doha, Qatar. USA Volleyball held a country quota qualifier for the event on Thursday at Huntington Beach, Calif. Four men’s teams competed for two...
National Teams Update: Champions League Quarterfinals
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Feb. 17, 2021) – Several women’s and men’s pro club teams with U.S. players advanced to the quarterfinals of the CEV Champions league. On the women’s side, Italy’s Igor Gorgonzola Novara, with U.S. setter Micha Hancock and middle blocker Haleigh Washington will face Turkey’s Fenerbahçe Opet Istanbul, which recently acquired outside hitter...