Fair Grove Unit Volleyball is an off-season travel volleyball club running from January through March. This gives an option to those unavailable during the regular season in addition to giving more competitive preparation before the next in school volleyball season.
Teams are based on age and this year there are five teams with a combined fourth and fifth grade team. Tonya Peck, Fair Grove High School Counselor, originally started Unit Volleyball in Fair Grove about 17 years ago with the intent of giving girls the chance to play school basketball and travel volleyball at the same time.
This year’s coaches include Fair Grove alumni, Faith Klindworth, Allison Findley, and Hannah Maxwell along with current staff, Morgan Roepke, Dani Kepler and Peck. Being in charge of scheduling, Peck is able to avoid conflicts between activities. She explained, “I organize the practice times/spaces, enter tournaments, order uniforms and t-shirts, manage payments, collaborate with our coaches, and watch Fair Grove volleyball grow!”Â
Peck said her favorite part of the activity is seeing all the Fair Grove girls learn and grow in volleyball. She added, “In the world of club volleyball, there are rarely teams that have athletes all from one school on a team. It is awesome to see our teams of all FG girls out there competing against the best of the best.”
Kepler originally played in Fair Grove Unit herself in middle and high school and began coaching during her college years. Over the years she has coached several different seasons and teams, with her coaching the 12’s team this year. This year she wants to focus on helping the team develop a love for the game, build connections, and get down the fundamentals.
Kepler spoke of the things she likes about the activity, “For us coaches, it is about our FG kids and giving them an opportunity to play club while not missing out on other opportunities. This is also a great way for us to build our Fair Grove volleyball program and get these girls excited and learning about the sport at a young age.”
Taylor Lumley (9) and Olivia Broyles (9) have both been involved in the Fair Grove Unit since 3rd grade. Lumley said that the activity was a great way to be involved in volleyball at a young age. Broyles claimed she originally joined because she had watched her older sisters play, with it turning into something that she loved.Â
Broyles commented, “Some ways that our teammates support each other is by yelling and getting very hype after someone gets a point. We also try to be very supportive when someone makes a mistake and is hard on themselves.”Â
Both Broyles and Lumley indicated great admiration for their coach, Maxwell, having stated that she gives consistent support and encouragement. They both said that she has helped them to grow not only as a player but also as a person.Â
Peck stated another perk of Fair Grove Unit Volleyball is that it has significantly decreased cost compared to other travel clubs. She remarked, “Most clubs in the area charge well over $1000 for a club season. FG Unit has been able to keep the cost around $400 for each girl.”Â
Registration for Unit Volleyball in Fair Grove can vary by year due to interest and those who are interested in the next season can reach out to Peck.
