Club Season Is Coming: 5 Things Every Player Should Keep in Mind

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With another high school volleyball season coming to a close, attention is quickly shifting toward club volleyball. For some athletes, that means returning to familiar teammates and coaches. For others, it means stepping into a completely new environment, competing for a different role, or maybe experiencing club volleyball for the very first time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Regardless of where you're playing this season, the next several months will bring opportunities to grow, compete, and challenge yourself in new ways. Before practices begin and tournament weekends fill the calendar, here are five things every athlete should keep in mind heading into club season with evals and tryouts on the horizon. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">1. Your Role May Look Different, and That's Okay</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Roles eb and flow based on a teams needs. Just because you were a starter on your high school team doesn't guarantee the same role in club. Different teams have different needs, systems, and levels of competition. But at the end of the day, playing time is earned through consistency, effort, and execution. Don't let expectations of a specific role get in your way. Learn how to contribute to your team's success regardless of your position or role.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Main takeaway:</strong> Don't let your role determine your attitude. How you respond to adversity says a lot about the player you're becoming.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">2. Comparison Is the Thief of Progress</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Everyone develops at a different pace, and at the end of the day, development is a big reason you should be playing club. If it's just for playing time, you're missing out on a huge benefit. It can be defeating to see social media highlights and recruiting announcements don't tell the whole story, and feel like you are behind. You are not! Focus on your individual development rather than someone else's opportunities. Set measurable goals for yourself and revisit them throughout the season. Celebrate your wins along the way!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Main takeaway: </strong>Your volleyball journey doesn't need to look like anyone else's to be successful.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">3. Be Coachable, Even When It's Uncomfortable</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Club season brings different coaching styles, expectations, and feedback. Remember, constructive criticism isn't a personal attack. Coaches have different styles and ways of communicating, and it's good for you in your career to experience different ways of teaching. Learn to ask questions, receive feedback, and make adjustments. The best athletes aren't necessarily the ones who make the fewest mistakes; they're the ones willing to learn from them!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Main takeaway: </strong>Talent can get you noticed, but coachability helps you reach your potential.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">4. Recruiting Is a Process, Not a Race</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Not every athlete will receive attention or offers at the same time. Different positions move at a different pace for recruiting. Different divisions have different needs. Again, has nothing to do with you! Remember, college coaches look beyond statistics and highlight videos. So be sure to control what you can control. Body language, communication, work ethic, and how you treat teammates matter. Especially in times of adversity! Be proactive about recruiting, but don't allow it to take away your enjoyment of the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Main takeaway: </strong>Focus on becoming the best player and teammate you can be. Your timeline is your own.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">5. Don't Forget Why You Started Playing</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Club volleyball can be demanding physically, mentally, and financially. It's easy to get lost in the politics, the playing time, and the comparison game. Not to mention, long tournament weekends, travel, and competition can make the season feel overwhelming. NEVER forget your why and the magic that happens over these next five months. Build relationships with teammates and enjoy the experiences along the way! Celebrate small victories, not just medals and championships. You'll learn soon enough, it goes by all too quickly. You won't realize you're in the "good ole days" till they're long behind you. Remember that your identity and worth extend far beyond volleyball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Main takeaway:</strong> Volleyball should challenge you, but it should also be something you genuinely enjoy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"> Make This Season Count</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Every club season brings its own challenges, surprises, and opportunities. Some athletes will experience breakout seasons, while others will face adversity that pushes them outside their comfort zones. Both experiences can be valuable.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As you head into another season, remember that growth isn't always measured in kills, digs, assists, or playing time. Sometimes the biggest improvements happen in your confidence, leadership, resilience, and ability to be a great teammate.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The goal isn't just to finish the season as a better volleyball player. It's to finish it as a better version of yourself.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We can't wait to kick this club season off! It's sure to be another exciting year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we head into our winter and spring coverage, make sure your <strong>Prep Dig profile is updated</strong> with your current school, club team, position, height, graduation year, and any other important information. Keeping your profile current helps our scouts have the most accurate information when evaluating and writing throughout the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Want to stay on our radar? <strong>Tag us in your highlights, match schedules, big performances, milestones, and anything else you want us to see.</strong> As the postseason gets closer, we want to know where you're playing, how you're performing, and which athletes and teams we need to have our eyes on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Be sure to follow <strong>Prep Dig Arizona and our Arizona scouts on Instagram</strong> for even more coverage:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>🏐 @PrepDigArizona<br>📸 @CoachMarissaMorah<br>📸 @PrepDigAnthony</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->