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The Best Opposite Volleyball Player in the Southland Conference
The top opposite volleyball player in the Southland conference, Texas State right side hitter Amari Deardorff interview
The best opposite volleyball player at Texas State, Amari Deardorff, answers my interview questions about how athletes live learn and excel in the Southland Conference.
The Best Opposite Volleyball Player in the Southland Conference
Meet Amari Deardorff the best opposite volleyball hitter on Texas State and one of the top athletes in the Southland Conference.
What makes you special?
'My faith in God and the perseverance it gives me. I've faced many obstacles in my volleyball career, most of them being injuries, but through Christ I've never given up on playing the sport I love."
What accessories and/or equipment help you play your best?
'My knee brace and ankle braces because they allow me to not worry as much about getting hurt as much; therefore allowing me to focus on the game plan and what I need to do with the ball."
What pregame habits, rituals, or superstitions do you have to do before every game?
"I'm not too superstitious, but I do usually listen to music before I play.
Instead of listening to stereotypical pump up music, I like to get relaxed and listen to slower songs, usually by Justin Bieber or Jesse McCartney."
Who or what inspires you to play well in each match that you play in?
Other than playing to glorify God and use the gifts he has given me, I try my hardest for the people who love me most. My parents because they have sacrificed so much time and money over my entire volleyball career to make it possible for me to be where I am today.
Texas State Player Amari Deardorff
"My brother because, although he is one of my best friends, I always strive to outdo him, something to this day that I still do not feel like I have achieved.
And my boyfriend because he is the hardest and most dedicated athlete that I know, and I want to emulate that as closely as possible.
That's only a few of the people I can think of. There are plenty more that drive me to be the best that I can be, including my coaches, teammates and fans."
What awards did Amari Deardorff win this week?
- Deardorff Named Southland Conference Offensive Player Of The Week
- Amari finished the week with 64 kills and a .399 hitting percentage
- Deardorff, an opposite volleyball hitter, earned her first career Southland weekly accolade after leading the Bobcats to a 3-2 record in fivematches the week of September 12 - 18
- Deardorff began the week with an impressive performance in a sweep over West Virginia, posting 11 kills with a .500 hitting percentage.
- She was named to the CenturyLink Premier All Tournament team where she led the Bobcats in kills in three of the four matches
- Against Houston Baptist, the Austin native pieced together a 16-kill performance with a .469 hitting percentage, and in the Bobcats win over Louisiana-Lafayette, Deardorff had an 18-kill match with a .425 hitting percentage.
- For the week, the Bobcat right side hitter led the offensive attack with 64 total kills and a hitting percentage of .399.
- A Preseason All-Southland Conference First Team selection, Deardorff showed her defensive prowess by contributing 18 blocks for anaverage of nearly a block per set for the week
- So far this season, Deardorff leads the Southland Conference with a .326 hitting percentage and is averaging a team-best 2.77 kills per set.
Do You Follow Me on Instagram?
Follow me on Instagram @coach_apchap to improve your game even faster!
I share alot of individual, partner and easy-to-do volleyball serving drills we do in class with my followers.
Many of these volleyball practice drills you can do at home by yourself or try at your next practice with your teammates.
If you're a B team or JV player trying to make varsity next year...your goal should be to complete 1000 reps a day of at least three of the basic skills on your own...volleyball passing, serving and setting should be at the top of the list.
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- The Best Opposite Volleyball Player in the Southland Conference
If your athlete struggles with consistent serve receive, gets subbed out, or is overlooked for playing time—this is the fix you’ve been looking for.
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Download my eBook for $17.99 and start building the passing confidence that keeps you on the court—and gets you seen by college coaches.
AUTHOR BIO
April Chapple is an elite private volleyball trainer, former USA National Team member, and University of Tennessee Hall of Fame inductee who has coached in Las Vegas for 15+ years, training hundreds of athletes and helping numerous players reach college volleyball, including Division I standouts.
She's also the head coach for girls and boys 18s at Squad VBC and offers coaches consulting on technical teaching and player development. Connect with April on LinkedIn or at ImproveYourVolley.com, where her eye for overlooked talent sets her apart.
From Lady Vol to Legend: Coach April Honored At UTK Champions Weekend
Lady Vol volleyball legend and record holder Coach April Chapple a University of Tennessee, Knoxville Hall of Fame Inductee, 3-time All American, 3-time SEC Champion, SEC Tournament MVP, 2-time All SEC Team is celebrated with her 1984 SEC champion teammates at Neyland Stadium during Champions Weekend on November 1-2, 2024.
- the first First Round Draft Pick for the first American pro indoor women's league
- named to the first First Team All-Pro team for Major League Volleyball in USA volleyball history
- former USA National team member
- one of the few American women players named as an Italian Pro League D-I Championship Finalist, Italian Cup Finalist and Cup of Cups Tournament Finalist
April Chapple The first First round Draft Pick For Major League Volleyball the first American Women's Pro League Honored At Athlete Unlimited Pro Volleyball Match
Coach April's 2026-27 Private and Semi private Volleyball Training
Pre-Registration now open for 2026-27 Private and Semiprivate Training Sessions with Coach April . Get prepared for club tryouts or train with me during club season!
Email now for information on semiprivate or private indoor skills, individual or small group training volleyball classes and my Breakfast Club for College Players training for 2026-27.
Invest in your improvement while preepping for your next level and college goals while working hard and training smart.
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info@improveyourvolley.com
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Bundle #1:
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Complete Beginner Serving System: The Ultimate Support System for Beginners
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Click to Download Your Parent's Volleyball Serving Guide Help Your Player Develop Championship Serves (Even If You've Never Played) Checklist pdf:
🎯Parent's Volleyball Serving Guide Help Your Player Develop Championship Serves Guide - $7
You'll Get:
✓Learn exactly what to look for in your player's serving form so you can provide meaningful feedback.
✓Discover how to provide encouragement that actually improves performance and mental toughness.
✓Know exactly what to ask coaches to show you're engaged and help your player develop properly.
✓Simple, effective drills that don't require a gym or expensive equipment.
✓Understand the language coaches use so you can better support your player's development.
✓Help your player develop the psychological aspects of serving that many coaches don't have time to address.
From Lady Vol to Legend: Coach April Produces Powerful Passionate Players...is that you?
What Are You Looking For?
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🎯Volleyball Pre Serving Ritual Guide -
Players! Learn How To Transform Your Serve from Weak to Weapon
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🎯Parent's Volleyball Serving Checklist Guide
Parents! Help Your Player Develop Championship Serves (Even If You've Never Played)
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Thanks for stopping by. Hope you learned something today that will help you reach your volleyball goals.
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Stay strong! Stay motivated!
-Coach April
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Congratulations to my seven Boys-18s Vegas Volley club players who played in two state championship finals yesterday, the 3A and 5A State champinship finals at Sunrise Mountain High School.
TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS!
A-1 Vegas Volley VBC
In It To Win It Tournament
May 2 - 4, 2025 Tournament
Gold Medalists
18s Premier Division
Vegas Volleyball's Unsung Heroes: Celebrating Moms with Peace Love Volleyball Shirts
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