Free Article: Dream. Vision. Legacy.
In this article:
What makes a volleyball club more than just a place to practice? Is it the wins? The championships? The college commitments? Or is it the people who pour their heart into every athlete who walks through the gym doors?
For this month's Giving Back to the Volleyball Community feature, I wanted to tell the story of a club that I've had the privilege of watching over the past two years. During that time, I've seen players celebrate championships, battle through adversity, and grow not only as volleyball players but also as young people. At the center of it all has been Morgan Dalziel.
Learning from Morgan has been one of the most rewarding joys of covering volleyball. A few minutes spent talking to him will soon make it clear that his mission extends far beyond the scoreboard. He knows his players, believes in them, and celebrates them in every aspect of their lives, not just when they wear an ND Elite jersey. Morgan is there when they're competing, hitting milestones, or just going through life. His investment does not stop when volleyball season does because he really cares about the people behind the player.
It's difficult to fake that kind of dedication, and it's one reason ND Elite has grown. From just one team six years ago, it has grown into a thriving club with multiple teams in several age divisions and more than 45 tournament championships. Those are great things, but that's not what ND Elite is about. The culture. The correlation is that it is the trust between coaches, players, and families that keeps people coming back year after year."
My perspective is only one part of the story. The voices of current and former players painted an even clearer picture. They didn't just talk about getting better as volleyball players; they talked about feeling valued and supported, challenged and believed in. These are the things they will carry with them long after their playing days are over.
So, what makes ND Elite different? What has allowed one coach's vision to grow from a single team into one of North Dakota's most respected volleyball clubs? Let's hear from Morgan Dalziel along with the players whose lives he has shaped.
Please share the story behind ND Elite. What inspired you to start the club?
"At first, ND Elite was just a team of athletes who wanted to stay together and play, so they formed the team. This success quickly turned heads, drew attention to ND Elite, and made me realize we could turn it into a club for small-town, underrepresented athletes who do not get much attention during their school ball seasons.
Looking back, what were some of the most significant challenges during those early years?
"The first few years were definitely about getting the name and the vision out there. We were also trying to convince people that, even though we were a new club, it would be a competitive atmosphere. We also needed to get the small-town kids to buy into it while making sure we stayed available to the bigger-school athletes."
What characteristics define an ND Elite athlete?
"I think that an ND Elite Athlete is defined by being coachable and wanting the best for not only themselves but also their teammates. We are a big family here, and the kids are always supportive of their teammates and peers in the program. Seeing the kids comment on others' successes on social media is truly so rewarding to me. I think a lot of our kids are leaders too. As I said before, they might not be leaders on that club team, but when they return to their school teams, the difference is striking: they show the confidence I love to see in our athletes. I also feel that some of our athletes are a little defensive. Coming from small, unrecognized schools, they would have to fight for attention, but our program allows them to compete confidently with big clubs and larger school teams."
What legacy do you hope ND Elite leaves for volleyball in the Midwest?
"I want ND Elite's legacy to be something that people will talk about for a while. I want us to be known as the program that helps the underrepresented athletes get themselves out there. I want the program to remain a solid program that sends kids to play college ball; over the past 6 years, we have sent 40 athletes to continue to play in college. I want to continue to be that pipeline for the schools in our area so that regardless of where you come from, you are able to compete at a higher level and give yourself a chance for a future you might not have thought was attainable with only school ball."
How important is it to keep high-level opportunities available for athletes close to home?
"I think it is SO important to try to keep our athletes in the Tri-State Area (MN/ND/SD). Even with the time ND Elite has been around, the volleyball landscape in ND has changed TREMENDOUSLY. We have athletes who can compete at a high level, and I feel like other places are starting to see that our area is not something to be overlooked. It has been an incredible experience for the clubs in the area that have received a bid to Nationals and placed well. It shows the nation that we have good volleyball here in North Dakota/Western Minnesota.
What has been the most rewarding?
"I feel like this list could be so incredibly long, but I think the top things for me that have been the most rewarding in the time we have been a program are seeing the individual growth of my athletes and also seeing the growth of our coaches as well. It is truly such a prideful moment to see the kids respond so well to their coaches because their coaches have bought into them, and we all treat our athletes like humans and not just a number in the program."
What values do you hope every athlete takes away from their experience with your club?
"I always preach that the athletes are more than the sport; it truly is so hard for me to watch athletes put so much of their self-worth into a sport that is based on mistakes. I preach that it is so much more than a sport, and building relationships with other athletes in the program is a giant blessing."
What does success mean within your program?
"Success to ND Elite is more than the simple wins and losses; we try to set goals for the athletes and teams deeper than "I want to win this tournament," etc. We want things we can continue to grow in. I love providing feedback and seeing the wheels turn in athletes' minds as they start to make the adjustments given to them and then seeing the progression from sometimes doing it to doing it all the time."
I didn't want the story to end there. You've heard from ND Elite director and coach Morgan Dalziel, but there's another side to every outstanding program: the players.
I asked several current and former athletes one simple question:
What has being a part of ND Elite meant to you, both as a volleyball player and as a person?
Their answers say more about the culture of ND Elite than I ever could.
It has brought me so many friendships and relationships that will last forever. Morgan is such an incredibly supportive person to talk to and rely on for anything. He's helped me gain confidence as a player and strengthen my skills so much. Forever grateful #rollgold
Highlights
Being a part of ND Elite has been an incredible experience. These past two years have helped shape me into a better volleyball player, and more importantly, a better person. It has taught me to be confident with my skills while still being coachable. It has taught me to trust the process, embrace the challenges, and strive to improve. I am so grateful for the coaches who became mentors, the teammates who became friends, and this whole experience that has created memories I'll never forget.
Having Morgan as a coach was truly wonderful. His love for the game is so infectious, and his passion for volleyball is unlike any other. More than anything, he helped me find my love for the sport again, and for that I'll always be grateful.
It was such a blessing to be a part of ND Elite. Morgan has built a wonderful club with the best coaches. ND Elite has been a fantastic way to work on my skills in the offseason. I learn and grow from new coaching techniques and the girls around me. I have also made so many amazing friendships playing for ND Elite. Again, I am so thankful to be a part of this club!
Highlights
Coming from a small town, I never had the same opportunities as players from big cities. So playing for ND Elite gave me more opportunities to be seen by college coaches and helped me overall in the recruiting process. ND Elite has also brought me closer to so many other talented players, including those I usually play against during high school. Morgan has definitely had the most significant impact on me. He has been my biggest supporter since the beginning, and he always does more than expected for his athletes. I'm so grateful to have been able to play the past two years with ND Elite.
Highlights
Being a part of ND Elite has meant so much to me, both as a volleyball player and as a person. I love being a part of this program because I genuinely look forward to every practice. I enjoy being challenged and pushed to become a better player every day.
One of my favorite things about ND Elite is the atmosphere. No matter which coach is leading practice, they all believe in us, care about us, and want us to succeed. They push us to be our best while also supporting us, which has helped me grow both on and off the court.
I also love getting the opportunity to play with girls from different schools and districts. It's been so much fun meeting new teammates, building friendships, and learning from each other. Being part of ND Elite has helped me become a better teammate, a more confident player, and a stronger person overall.
Highlights
When I began this story, I thought I was writing about a volleyball club. I realized it was really about the people.
A coach who believes in his players long after the final point is one who builds a program based on trust, relationships, and the belief that every athlete counts. Championships may fill a trophy case, but it's the lives they change that make a program's true legacy.
If you are looking for more than just a place to play and want to be part of something bigger than volleyball, refer to the ND Elite Interest Form for the 2026-2027 club season and take the first step toward becoming part of the ND Elite family.
~Theresa@prepdigdakotas
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