Volleyball popularity at all-time high for girls amid US Olympic success and college game’s exposure
opularity at all-time high for girls amid US Olympic success and college game’s exposure
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — As summer turns to fall, a repurposed industrial building on the southwest side of Omaha becomes a hive of activity.
More than 200 girls ages 11 to 14 in T-shirts, shorts and kneepads rotate among eight practice courts at the Premier Nebraska Volleyball facility. They worked on skills like passing, setting and hitting. Coaches — on a recent evening all but one were women and most were former college players — gave instruction and encouragement in equal parts.
Similar scenes are playing out across the country as youngsters begin preparing for fall tryouts and a competitive season that runs from January to April for most teams.
Remi Christiansen, one of the girls training at Premier Nebraska, took up the sport three years ago and immediately showed promise as a setter. She has played on the club’s top 13U and 14U teams and will try out in the 15U division with the goal of playing for her high school next year and later in college.
“I like how high intensity it is,” Remi said. “You really have to be ready for anything — whether it’s reactionary or being able to communicate on the court.”
Girls volleyball has never been so popular in the United States. Participation has increased every year since at least 1980 (excluding the 2020-21 pandemic year), and growth has accelerated the past decade. The number of girls high school volleyball players hit an all-time high of 470,488 in 2022-23, a figure second only to outdoor track and field (486,355), according to the National Federation of State High School Associations.
Girls high school basketball, the most comparable sport in roster size, has trailed volleyball in participation since 2014-15. More girls play high school volleyball than basketball in all but nine states.
USA Volleyball reported a record 333,208 junior girls (ages 11-18) registered with clubs as of July, an increase of 40% since 2013-14. Most of those players also are on their school teams. Still more play in programs at the YMCA, which does not track participation.
Explaining the popularity
Mila Anderson, who will play on one of Premier’s 12U teams, is training as a middle blocker and outside hitter. She also plays basketball, but volleyball is her favorite sport.
“It’s a lot more thrilling,” she said. “Especially with the long rallies, you have to be aware and keep up. After a tiring one, it’s really exciting when I get to put down that last ball and get the game point.”
