According to Free State Girl’s Volleyball coach Jayme Savage, the 2025 Girl’s Volleyball tryout had one of the largest groups in the team’s history ever to tryout. With 37 freshmen, 16 sophomores, 13 juniors and 7 seniors, double the people meant double the competition.
This year, some players felt intimidated when entering tryouts. With twice as many freshmen and twice the competition. Especially coming from middle school, freshman Morgan McClorrey said nerves were high amongst girls trying out.
“I was not expecting that amount of girls. It’s kind of stressful because there was a lot of competition that you had to beat to get on a team,” McClorrey said. .” Honestly, I think it pushed myself and other people to get better throughout the summer,” McClorrey said.
For Junior Mary Grace Bradford, preparation for this year’s volleyball tryout looked much different due to an increase in competition. With the drastic switch from middle to high school volleyball in terms of age difference, and an increase in participation at this year’s tryout, Bradford said she had to work harder than ever to secure a spot.
“It definitely increases your chances because the coaches get to see you more over the summer. They get to know you, and it shows how committed you are,” Bradford said.
Even before summer conditioning began, Bradford said that she said that club volleyball participation can be a crucial part to making the team, and year-long play can help a player stand out to the coaches.
“I was not expecting that amount of girls…It’s kind of stressful because there was a lot of competition there that you had to beat to get on a team. But honestly, I think it pushed myself and other people to get better throughout the summer” Bradford said.
According to the Kansas City Mag, the midwest has been an epicenter to volleyball for decades. With some success from Kansas University Volleyball, including being rated No. 14 by the American Volleyball Coaches Association, the midwest is rated a top powerhouse for the sport.
Although, with an increased interest in volleyball in not only the class of 2029, but in the state of Kansas as a whole, even securing a spot on a club team can be difficult.
“The Heart of American Volleyball Association, a regional youth volleyball organization based in KC, has over 17,000 club players and 3,000 coaches, sending players to all levels of collegiate volleyball,” Kansas City Mag Journalist Reece Parker wrote.
For coaches, a great deal of decisions have to be made in terms of playing time. Not everyone can be given the same opportunities when trying out for a Kansas City club team. Clark said she feels extremely gifted to have been asked back to play her favorite sport every year, but she said that, in a way, the tryout process can be a bit sneaky.
“I’ve been very blessed to be asked back every year, so I don’t necessarily have to try out. That’s just not the same for anyone else…They’ll look at players on the previous team, then give you an offer at tryout time. That’s what I mean by sneaky.” Clark said.
Despite the competitive nature of Volleyball, especially in Kansas, Clark said she continues to come back to the sport because she has grown to enjoy the competition.
“[Volleyball] is a very long and tedious process, but it’s all worth it for sure. It’s crazy to see how far the jump of popularity volleyball has had in the last couple years,” Clark said.
