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2006: 15 Purple 1st in American
Club Division |
2006: 18 Purple 2nd in American
Club Division |
2005: 17 Purple 1st in American
Club Division |
2004: 14-2 3rd in American Club
Division |
2001: 15-2 1st in 15 Club Division |
2001: 17-1 2nd in Open Division |
2001: 18-1 3rd in Open Division |
2000: 17-1 1st in Open Division |
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2000: 18-2 2nd in Club Division
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1999: 16-1 3rd in Open Division |
1997: 17 Red 2nd in Club Division |
1997: 18 Sideout 3rd in Open
Division |
1996: 18 Sideout 3rd in Open
Division |
1995: 16 Black 2nd in Open Division |
1993: 18 Black 2nd in Open Division |
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Circle City Volleyball Club was originated by Tom Pingel
in 1984. In its first season, Circle City Volleyball
Club fielded 35 athletes on 3 teams (one 18 & under, two
16 & under) and 3 coaches. Now, after 23 seasons, Circle
City is much larger than the size of the original
version. Offering teams in age groups 10 & under through
18, Circle City Volleyball Club has become one of the
largest clubs to attempt to meet the needs of the
various levels of volleyball athletes.
In 2007, Circle City had 5 teams qualify for nationals,
the only club in the city to qualify two teams in the
Open Division. The 18-Purple finished 9th in the
18-year-old Open Division. One-hundred percent of our
2007 class at Circle City are currently playing in
college, and many are starting. Circle City has a great
history of being successful on the national (180 teams
qualified, 75 in the Open Division) and on the
individual level (Over 350 college scholarships
received).
USA Volleyball is the governing body for competitive
volleyball in the United States. In 1981, it made a
commitment to provide opportunities for young players to
play outside of their school programs and in 1991
created a Division of the USAV exclusively devoted to
Youth & Junior Olympic Volleyball development. The USAV
states that junior volleyball programs represented ...
the future of volleyball in the US. [Its junior program]
was created to serve as a major building block for
scholastic, collegiate, recreational and club play
throughout the country.
Circle City Volleyball Club is one of a very small
number of clubs that promotes all of the goals set forth
by USA Volleyball. Most clubs are geared either for
elite athletes, or for less skilled players. Our
graduates have played in the US Olympic Festival and
have represented USA on the Youth National Team. Many
have played on top-ranked college teams. Many have also
been All-State or All-American in High School. On the
other hand, many of our players enrolled are just trying
to make their school’s team. Our training group allows
players of all skill levels to learn, improve, and
progress at a pace they can achieve.
We have 7 courts under one roof that are used for
volleyball. The Circle City Volleyball Club also has
access to Capitol Sports
Wellness Center, which offers an aerobic room,
cardio theater, spinning studio, weight room, and
saunas. Also available are 3 tanning beds, 2 racquetball
courts, and a dance studio. |
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A good training ground provided by experienced
coaches • Olympic techniques for advancement of volleyball
skills • A high profile among high schools and colleges • A great training facility highly focused on
volleyball • Assistance with the college recruiting process |
•
2006 JO National Champions in 15-American Club • 2006 JO Runners-up in 18-American Club • 2005 JO National Champions in 17-American • 180 Teams Qualified for Junior Olympics • 75 Qualified Open US Junior National Teams • Over 350 Scholarships Received |
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Junior volleyball programs have exploded all across
the country. The first AAU National tournament was
held 28 years ago, and only 20 teams made the trip.
Last season, there were more than 50,000 registered
junior players in the United States.
Why this incredible growth? There are many factors,
but the overall growth of women’s sports programs is
important. As women’s collegiate programs have
prospered, the level of play has increased greatly.
The average level of ability of junior players has
increased as well. So successful are junior program
athletes that most NCAA Division I coaches recruit
exclusively from the junior program ranks. The
reason for this is simple. Coaches can see many
solid prospects in a single day at a junior
tournament, while it is difficult to see more than
one prospect a day during the high school season.
This becomes even more true with the new NCAA rules
governing the number of times a collegiate coach can
contact or observe in person a given player.
Is junior volleyball only for the college bound
athlete? Certainly not! Our program begins in the
fourth grade. Who can say whether these kids are
even headed for college at all, let alone to play
volleyball? For most of our members, junior
volleyball is simply another challenging experience
which should lead to a lot more fun on the court as
playing skills increase. Playing for college teams
is far from the minds of most our players.
Traditionally, nearly half of our program has been
comprised of players in the 16 & under age division
(freshmen and sophomores). In most cases, these
players have recently been exposed to high school
programs and a higher level of competition than they
have previously experienced. Many new applicants are
freshmen team or junior varsity players who are
trying to move up a level for next season. We have a
training program designed to help them do just that.
We can help, but much of an individual’s advancement
and improvement is still up to that individual.
Athletic talent, size, speed and good work habits
are all necessary for top success as an elite
player. Players who lack in any of those qualities
have to make up for the deficiency in one area by
working harder to improve another. If you’ve got a
sincere desire to improve, then you will do well in
a junior volleyball program.
So what about scholarships? Well, they do exist, and
many of our players go on to play in college; most
of these receive partial or full scholarships. About
95% of our graduating seniors become college
athletes, including all of our 2007 alumni. Let’s
put that in true perspective, though. Many more
players are involved in Circle City Volleyball Club
as underclassmen than as seniors. By the time the
senior season is reached, players usually know
whether they have the ability and the desire to
compete at the college level.
In conclusion, club volleyball is a great place to
meet friends, sweat a lot, get lost trying to find
gyms, and feel good about yourself. If you want to
experience that, join us for the 2008 season. |
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