AVA of Texas is committed to providing a competitive junior volleyball program for athletes, ages Pre-K-18. Staff, administration and support personnel within the AVA of Texas program will always strive to make the sport of volleyball and the act of athletic participation a teaching tool to develop personal growth and life skills.

AVA of Texas believes in the lessons that volleyball teaches each and every one of us. We believe the discipline, effort, structure and team work required to succeed in a team atmosphere teach participants lifelong lessons - lessons that help define and shape the personalities of adolescent athletes for the better.

It is the belief and philosophy of AVA that our primary responsibilities to our athletes are to:

Provide safe, disciplined and structured environments in both training and competition for all participants;

Establish positive relationships and respect between AVA, athletes and their families, coaches, administration and the community as a whole;

Train our athletes at the highest level possible with the primary performance objective of high-level team and personal success.

The AVA of Texas program is dedicated to the growth, development and education of its players and their families with regard to the sport of volleyball. Our vision of “whole-player” development charges us with the task of preparing our players for the physical, emotional and psychological demands that high-level competition places upon athletes.

We believe that if you apply the principles of God first, others second, self third – these principles will equal success in whatever arena in which you are participating. The path to personal and team achievement is difficult and full of surprises. The AVA of Texas staff and administration recognizes this and pledges to proactively assist the players and their families with struggles they will encounter along the way. The goals and objectives of the player must be synthesized with that of the team and the program as a whole. This requires compromise and understanding on behalf of all personal parties involved, an understanding that the AVA of Texas family will work to create on a consistent basis.

AVA of Texas believes that the success an athlete enjoys is related directly to the belief exhibited in the athlete by teammates, coaches and parents alike. We believe that knowledge, guidance, professionalism and sacrifice are the cornerstones of the coach-player relationship, and we commit ourselves to those beliefs in our daily actions. AVA of Texas staff and administration strives to lead by example on a daily basis.

AVA is located at 451 Spruce St. Dickinson, TX 77539

AVA was co-founded in 2006 by Katy Garza and Jerry Linch. The two had previously directed their own clubs and realized the potential of combining their efforts and creating a volleyball powerhouse. The merging of the two clubs has been a success with multiple teams qualifying for the National Championships (Junior Olympics) and having countless high school seniors sign college scholarships.

Club volleyball provides a higher level of training and competition for girls interested in learning and developing their skills. The club season last approximately 6 months and teams are small. This allows players to receive many hours of focused skills training and development. Club volleyball requires a major commitment from both the player and parent.

AVA tryouts usually take place in July. Dates and times for tryouts will be listed on our website. Often we have several remaining positions open until club season starts in November . Details can be found on our homepage

The typical season begins in November. For U12 teams it typically concludes with the Regional Tournament in late April/early May. For Regional & Nationals teams, their season can conclude with Junior National Championships (July) and/or any other late season championship event (like Volleyball Festival).

We make every effort to finalize the tournament schedules for each team by January. We may release a preliminary schedule containing out of town qualifier information so that parents can make travel arrangements. Questions about travel can be directed to Kim Weiler.......... kim.weiler@avatexas.com

The Volleyball Festival is not only the largest volleyball tournament in the world, but it's also the largest annual sporting event. Over 900 teams from across the entire USA, and some foreign countries, participate in the 4 age divisions; the tournament will be held in Phoenix, Arizona. A minimum of 13 matches are guaranteed for each team, and the tournament format ensures that teams will compete against other teams of similar ability. The Festival is usually held in late June/early July, with competition lasting for an entire week.

Each team will have approximately 10-12 players. Teams are small in order to maximize the opportunity for members to learn and play. By keeping the teams small, players and parents must understand the expectation involved and how each player’s commitment and participation will affect the team.

Equal playing time is not guaranteed and should not be expected in a competitive environment. The many hours of practice time creates an opportunity for each player to learn and develop their skills, which is most important, and each player will receive equally. We prepare every athlete to contribute in the most positive way to the team. We make our best effort to ensure that each athlete has the opportunity to experience game and tournament play.

AVA of Texas will host one mandatory fundraiser for the 2011-2012 season. AVA of Texas welcomes team and club participation in any approved fundraising program. Once teams are selected, fundraising options will be presented to them by the Fundraising Coordinators.

It is a philosophical principal within the AVA of Texas program that players get better when trained in an environment that is both physically and mentally challenging while immersed in proactive, educational feedback. When players see, hear, feel and understand what is right and wrong, they get better. And while every athlete learns at her own pace, the simplification of our training language and techniques allow for most players to see great gains quickly.

As a club, AVA of Texas will attempt to utilize its coaching staff to its highest potential. Specialized training sessions, guest coaches and clinics, and joint training of various age-group teams are just a few of the ways the AVA of Texas staff attempts to immerse its athletes in an environment that allows them every opportunity to improve.

Training at AVA of Texas will include mental toughness training and exposure to consistent, basic fundamental skills throughout every age level. We will work to expose our athletes to ideas that are universally accepted and/or new in theory and application. We recognize that athletes see, hear and learn things differently and that what works for one player may not work for another. The AVA of Texas staff will do its personal and cumulative best to create an environment both in training and competition that allows for the player and the team to be their best.

Playing time and position are NOT guaranteed. With that said, the AVA of Texas staff is constantly being trained and encouraged to utilize various substitution patterns and ideas, utilizing the entire roster and maximizing playing time opportunities for all players.

Playing time is and always will be at the discretion of the team head coach. Concerns regarding playing time should be addressed following the club’s grievance procedure.

It is an objective of AVA of Texas to qualify our 12’s - 18’s Rox teams for the USA Volleyball Junior National Championships. Any Rox teams that do not qualify for National Championships will participate in the Volleyball Festival Championships in Phoenix, AZ. Any other AVA team that qualifies or wishes to participate in an extended season tournament will pay the extra fees at that time.

If a team qualifies and accepts a bid to the national championships, the entire team MUST attend. USA Volleyball sanctions clubs that accept bids and then do not fulfill their obligation to attend. Players are expected to participate in and complete the entire season.

Welcome to AVA of Texas Training Facility. For your safety and enjoyment, the following facility rules will be enforced:

NO OUTSIDE FOOD OR DRINKS ARE ALLOWED IN THE BUILDING. Teams will be allowed to bring in their own drinks only.

TEAM FOOD TABLES for tournaments are only allowed in the grassy areas at the west end of the building. NO tables in the parking lot or rocks.

NO GUM IN THE FACILITY.

Ice is provided by AVA.

Injury related items are not provided by AVA.

Pre-wrap and athletic tape are available for purchase in the Proshop.

No spectators will be allowed on the playing floor at any time during practices.

Street shoes are not permitted on the playing floor.

Unattended children will not be allowed upstairs and will be returned to their parents. This area is for practice viewing, not playing.

Playing on the stairs or bridge wall is not allowed.

Parents are responsible for their own children.

No running allowed in the commons areas.

We do not have daycare facilities.

For your safety and that of others, horseplay of any kind will not be tolerated.

Please do not sit on our tables or countertops. They are meant for eating. Chairs are provided.

Please clean up all messes that are made by yourself or children.

Please use the garbage cans that have been provided throughout the gyms and facility.

No smoking.

Weapons of any kind are not allowed on the premises.

All bags and coolers are subject to search.

No unsportsmanlike conduct will be tolerated.

Anyone choosing not to abide by the rules will be asked to leave the facility.

AVAtors is designed to enhance each young players fundamental skills, team play, and overall volleyball knowledge. We offer programs from 5 years old- 12 years old. We strive to provide a fun environment where each player can reach his or her potential before moving on to the next great step! We have Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer AVAtor Programs. More information is available on our website.

AVAtors is designed to enhance each young players fundamental skills, team play, and overall volleyball knowledge. We offer programs from 5 years old- 12 years old. We strive to provide a fun environment where each player can reach his or her potential before moving on to the next great step! We have Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer AVAtor Programs. More information is available on our website.

Do you love the sport of volleyball? Do you love teaching the game to young athletes? Do you want to be part of a winning organization? If so, you could become one of the great coaches at AVA.

If you are interested in coaching with AVA of Texas, please contact Katy.Garza@avatexas.com or Jerry.Linch@avatexas.com