Capital City News
Local Club Has Third Highest Number of Teams at Volleyball Festival
When more than 700 teams and 8,000 players arrive in Reno July 2-7 to compete in the 2007 Volleyball Festival, a local club out of Carson City will field the third highest number of teams in the prestigious event.
Capital City Volleyball Club Director Danny McLaughlin says his organization has 15 teams and about 170 players entered in the weeklong event, billed as one of the largest sporting events for girls in the world.
In only its eighth year of existence, Capital City has grown from about 30 players in 1999 to more than 180 this season. The club draws girls ages 10-18 from throughout Northern Nevada, including from Carson City, Churchill, Douglas, Elko, Lyon, and Washoe counties (OTHERS?). Two athletes in travel from Alturas, California, more than four hours travel each way, to compete in the club.
"We are now fielding teams in the 5th through 12 grades, with players divided up into highly competitive teams to beginning level," McLaughlin said. "One of our strengths and a key to our phenomenal growth is that we cater to all levels of play. We provide a positive experience for players who are among the best in Northern Nevada, and those who are just beginning their volleyball careers."
McLaughlin says besides the tremendous experience the girls receive playing in a huge national tournament in their own backyard, another aspect for top level players is the number of college coaches who attend the Volleyball Festival. "College coaches from across the nation at all levels of play will be observing our players, which gives these girls phenomenal access to these programs."
In fact, McLaughlin says 100% of all Capital City VBC seniors who wanted to extend their careers by receiving a college scholarship have done so over the past two years. "We see that as a big part of our responsibility: to help our players find schools that meet their academic and athletic goals."
For more information about the Volleyball Festival, go to http://www.volleyball-festival.com/. To find out more about the Capital City Volleyball Club, including the summer clinic schedule, go to our Capms &Clinics page, or call Danny McLaughlin at (530) 307-2538.
