K2ruth

I believe it is what happens when you coach your daughter and when you have no training as a coach. Farragut is in the same boat. You need trained volleyball coaches in these positions.

The problem is the lack of coaching. Even at the club level, finding real coaches is hard. I love high school ball, it's just not for everybody.

I think you are missing the point. Most players in high school have no chance, or desire, to play competitive volleyball in college. There is nothing wrong with these players being on a high school team and having fun doing all of those things beach boy is talking about. Also, some of these players want to improve their skill level and use club to actually learn how to play. They don't want to play in college, they just love playing volleyball and want to get better so they use club to learn how to play. Again, that is great. Where you are missing the point is the athlete who has the skill and desire to play competitive volleyball at the collegiate level gets zero benefit by playing high school volleyball unless they are with a "real" coach at the high school level. This player gets way more benefit by using the fall to prepare for club season. Outside of Webb there are no other volleyball coaches at the high school level who can help this athlete. Beach boy, I have asked you before to name one high school coach, other than Webb, that can help the college level player and you couldn't do it. A serious player, that wants to play in college, has no business and receives no benefit playing in high school. I am not slamming high school, it is great fun for the girls that want to play non competitive volleyball. However, that's not why I started this topic. Other than Webb, I dare say that there has ever even been a high school team that could compete with a mediocre power team from a legit club. Facts are facts. As to KVA, it is a good alternative to high school caliber players who want to improve their skill level. There is no comparison between the two. K2 is designed more for the elite player who wants to play in college. KVA is for the high school player who wants to get better. Both clubs have a purpose, which is to promote volleyball.

But ... The problem is that outside of Webb there are no coaches currently coaching high school that have any clue on how to help a player get to the level they need to be at in order to play college ball. The time in the fall for individual work with the club coaches is crucial if the player wants to play in college.

I think it has zero to do with club. It has to be hard to go from a great club team with exciting coaches to a place where a high school coach plays favorites and not to win.

Bearden has zero chance against Farragut. I doubt they will beat Hardin Valley. Way too much talent to under perform.

BBV you are right on the mark. I had never thought about the CAK coach in those terms before but you nailed it. He over coaches. Also, at Karns a change was made so it does happen.

I agree with Phandango. Farragut is the most talented team in the state in AAA. No one in their District or Region is capable of taking a game from them. But.,,a good coach, with talent, will beat them. They could even get beaten in Sectional play. They don't do anything but throw out 4 balls, and there are two college caliber players either sitting or not getting any sets. Certain schools would make a change. Webb, Catholic and a couple of others come to mind. Farragut and Bearden should both be State Powers. Why are the parents being silent?

I have to agree. This Farragut team is loaded. They should be in the state finals. It is sad that during the past three years Farragut and CAK have had the talent to win a state championship but coaching has held them back. Farragut won't be challenged until they get to the state tournament, so coaching won't be a factor. Maybe the players can get it done despite of the coach. There are two players sitting that should be starting, but still no one in east TN can beat them.

Beach boy, good thought. The problem is the lack of quality coaches outside of club. Outside of Webb, there are not any high schools who can give the type of instruction you get at a quality club.

Farragut is cruising today. I did have some questions. Is the CAK coach stepping down after the season? Hooper and 4 other players graduate and I heard he may be leaving. Also, is the Bearden coach stepping down? His daughter is also a senior and I heard he was also leaving after the year. Does anyone know if this is just speculation?

I am going to their tourney today to watch Farragut. The match was Thursday and Catholic won pretty convincingly, I think he even played some subs. Catholic has beaten Bearden and Maryville this week also. CAK still has the 6 for 6 player, but they just don't seem to play up? Ill try and get a score.

Catholic has already beaten CAK. I think Sullivan South could also be in the finals. SS is a great team, well coached, fantastic fans. CAK had more talent and size than any team in recent memory and didn't win. I feel Catholic is stronger this year.

Just a follow up. I think Farragut Webb and Catholic will be in the state finals. Nobody in the area is close.

Bearden has had one good team in twenty years. This is not a real surprise. Farragut, Webb and Catholic are the class of Knoxville.

My problem is that Siegel under performs every year.

If any Williamson County fans could answer a question for us. After Coach Berry left Independabnce hired a coach who had played at Farragut. What was her name, and where did she go? Did she get a better job?

I don't see Siegel being in the state finals. They make alot of noise on CoachT but don't deliver when it counts. Too much parent involvement in coaching hires.

To clarify, I agree that high school is important, but I was referring only to COLLEGE prospects. It is impossible to get a college scholarship without playing club unless you attend a truly outstanding high school program and there are few of those. My post is directed exclusively to the real college prospect who gets zero from most high school programs. They run the risk of injury, burnout, and bad habits are picked up from the coaches. If the goal is to get a scholarship then why not focus on that? Many baseball and basketball prospects only play on AAU or travel teams. I stand by my post.

More and more people are asking the question: Should a college prospect play on a high school team? My opinion is no. Volleyball has changed in the past 10 years. Club has exploded to where even a market like Knoxville has multiple clubs. If an player is really good, they can ruin their chances to play in college by playing high school ball. Here is why. First, playing year round can cause burnout. Even professional athletes take extended breaks from the sport. Second, risk of injury. Face it, most high school teams aren't very good. Every day in practice and in matches you run the risk of an unskilled player coming under the net and finishing your career. Third, what do you really get in high school. There are not that many good high school coaches, and many bad ones. Why waste time learning from someone who probably never played, and coaches so their daughter can start, or to get an extra supplement? Is that the best use of your time? Their are exceptions. Webb has a top flight volleyball program, but they are the exception. They are a private school, and can offer a level of coaching that the public schools cannot. If I were seriously wanting to play in college I would steer away from high school and focus on using that time to prepare for club season. When was the last time you saw a college coach come to a high school game? Thoughts?

No problem! When I moved to East Tenn in the late 90's Anderson County and Sullivan South ruled east TN. Year in and year out they were the standard. 15 years later they are still the program by which the Knoxville schools are measured. I don't think it is a AAA or AA think. Last year CAK, South and Sullivan East were better than any of the AAA teams, so was Webb a private. Last year AC was down, but they had come off a two year run with those two big middles where they beat everybody. They stumbled in the Region and got upset but we are a tourney sport. The difference is because of the growth of K2 as a top tier club, the other schools are getting better. I feel that Webb has the "best" coach, but that AC has the "best" staff and program. Chill, how does AC afford 4 coaches any one of whom could be a top level high school coach? Randi is a powerful coach and Cantrell is as intense as any coach I've seen. Coach Smith was good at OR and is good now, but how do they all stay at AC? They also seem pretty tight given that there has to be as much as 25-30 year age difference. Do you pay that good? I know they rub some people the wrong way but I respect anyone that can stay at the top year in and year out. How do they look this year? I know they had alot of young girls in club. Who is looking strong?

James, you will have a great year! I don't see anybody beating Farragut in District, I doubt they even drop a set, and I believe they will handle both Anderson County and Oak Ridge in the other district, so expect a trip to the state! Chill, I don't know the answer to that. Probably a question for Bratman or an AC fan. Last year they were ok, but they lost 5 or 6 seniors that had played several years. When they had the two big middles the year before they were the best team in Knoxville and got upset in the Regional. I think AC is as strong as they ever have been, it's just Knoxville now has a strong club in K2 and a couple of recreational clubs to provide more playing opportunities for the Knoxville girls. AC never had many girls play club but their coaching is so strong that they just dominated everybody in the area. Now schools like Bearden, Farragut, CAK and Catholic are reaping the benefit of K2 and the two smaller clubs. Also, Webb I believe has superior coaching. So the other teams are catching or have caught up. Which makes it exciting. Don't get caught up in AAA or AA. Catholic and CAK are as strong as any AAA team and Sullivan South is better than most. If you are trying to "poke" AC please don't. It's best to let sleeping bulls lie!

An exciting season of Knoxville volleyball is getting ready to heat up the fall. Here are my preseason thoughts to kick off the season! The greater Knoxville area has 5 teams that should have strong seasons. In no particular order: Webb, great hitting and defense with the top coach in Knoxville has the Spartans ready to have a break out year and show that they are ready to take a spot as on of the premier east Tenn programs. CAK. Their window has almost closed. The last three seasons has the Warriors thinking about what might have been. They had the most talent in AA each of the past two seasons and underperformed. This is there last shot with the state's tallest player, and hopefully they are hungry enough to get it done. Catholic. Better coaching has the Irish poised to dethrone a more talented CAK team in what will be the closest District and Regional race in town. If CAK had the heart and soul of Catholic they would hold a trophy case full of hardware. This season will show who wants it worst. Anderson County has long been the gold standard of Knoxville area volleyball. In recent years teams have caught up because of their lack of club players. Last season was a rare sour note for the Mavs. However, don't get in a corral with an angry bull! Several of their young players committed to a season of club, and they are loaded with young talent. They are loud and fearless. Farragut is ready. Great talent committed to club, solid coaching, and second only to Anderson County in tradition, this will be a big year for the Lady Admirals. No Knoxville public school comes close. As Bearden players execute a mass exodus expect the Farragut and Webb to welcome some new shipmates aboard! Biggest question will be the new Karns coach, whether Oak Ridge can FINALLY field a competitive team and whether Beardens off season drama with a coach focused more on building a club than a high school program will affect their play!

I hesitate to say much because several posters just attack. I think there are some great coaches, some good coaches, some average coaches and some bad. I am not going to call out any of the bad, but have no problem acknowledging Webb, Catholic and Anderson County as excellent coaching staffs who really help develop their players. I think if you play at those schools and three or four others, it will really help you with college. No one get hurts by playing high school ball, even for a bad team IF the coach is not also destroying the players love to play. A well run club will work hand in hand with the high school to help the player be her best.

I don't know if I agree with the talent part. Bearden was loaded with talent when he came.