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- Improve Your Volleyball with Coach April
- Inspiring Volleyball Stories
Inspirational Volleyball Stories: Once upon a time ..there was a girl
Inspirational Volleyball Stories: Once upon a time ..there was a girl
Once upon a time, I was playing volleyball professionally in Italy in the 90s, and I decided to ask female players who were my teammates, friends and coaches to write their own volleyball storiesOnce upon a time, I was playing volleyball professionally in Italy in the 90s, and I decided to ask female players who were my teammates, friends and coaches to write their own volleyball stories about the greatest personal obstacles they had to overcome as teens or young female adults in club, high school or even college.
I asked them to describe how that particular obstacle helped or motivated or inspired them to become the professional players or Olympic players they had become.
Here is a list of questions these female players chose to answer and share in their volleyball stories:
- Did the obstacle help you grow emotionally? If so, how?
- How did it motivate you (or not?)
- How did it make you stronger (or not?)
- What did overcoming that obstacle make you realize about yourself?
The players chose one of the following topics that they personally experienced and described it in their volleyball stories:
Inspiring Volleyball Stories About Body Image
Were you ever told you were too tall or too short to play volleyball?
Did you have a coach or player tell you that you were too big or too small to be on the court?
Have you dealt with eating disorders like taking pills, binging or anorexia?
Click here to read Debbie Green's story about having to work harder than other players since she was always the shortest player on the court.
Motivational Volleyball Stories About Female Volleyball Players and Race
Have you been the first female volleyball players and/or only person of your race on your club or high school team?
Were you ever told that you wouldn't be good at a particular skill in volleyball because people of your race usually weren't that good at doing that skill?
Click here to read Kim Oden's story about being the tallest player on most of her teams and how she was challenged by a person at Stanford who felt she wasn't smart enough to finish school there.
Inspirational Volleyball Stories About Female Players
Overcoming Poverty
Have you had to overcome poverty or economic hardship in order to play and excel the sport that you love?
Volleyball Stories About
Social Issues
Have you had to overcome homelessness, or alcoholism personally or in your family in order to play, enjoy or excel at volleyball?
Have you had to overcome feeling isolated or were you treated as an outcast because you decided to be one of the best female volleyball players in your hometown to play or compete at a higher level in this sport?
Click here to read Mary Jo Peppler's story on how she had to practice and train with very little of her family's support once she announced her plans to play Olympic volleyball.
Inspiring Stories About Overcoming Depression or a Negative Self Image
Has playing volleyball helped you to overcome depression or a poor self image?
How did you feel about yourself before you played the sport and how has it helped you gain confidence in who you are and how you carry yourself on and off the court? What other female volleyball players helped you along your journey?
Click here to read Heather Bown's story about how she had to prove herself worthy of being on the court. First to herself and then to others and how her journey helped her build her self confidence.
Motivating Volleyball Stories
About Overcoming Physical Issues
Have you had to overcome physical issues, birth defects or abuse?
Has the physical requirements of this sport helped you to overcome any disabilities you were born with?
Click here to read April Chapple's story of an early childhood spent having to wear leg braces helped form her decision to play and grow in the sport.
Volleyball Stories About
Familial Issues
Has playing volleyball helped you deal with divorce in your family, or have you had to deal with being raised by a single parent or sibling rivalry and how did that affect your attitude towards playing the game?
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Private or semiprivate volleyball indoor/sand lessons are an excellent way for young Las Vegas high school volleyball players to quickly improve their individual skills through a private or semi-private coaching experience.
These lessons are conducted by former pro volleyball player, former USA Volleyball High Performance instructor and Evaluator and Tstreet Vegas 18s head Coach April Chapple on a weekly basis.
Sign up now!Follow me on Pinterest Volleybragswag 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.
Read more about the professional volleyball players in the pages below.
Get Inspired By 8 Pro Volleyball Players Personal Volleyball Stories
Get motivated by the volleyball stories told by inspiring female pro volleyball players with their personal stories of overcoming obstacles. Be inspired!
Legendary USA Olympian Beach Volleyball Player The Liz Masakayan Story
Liz Masakayan, one of America's best beach volleyball player and raised in a single parent household talks about how she trained and improved her skills.
Middle Hitter Volleyball Stories Elaina Oden on Being A Good Player
World class middle hitter, US Olympic bronze medalist and professional volleyball player Elaina Oden shares her volleyball story on what motivated her as a teen
The Shortest Volleyball Player on the Court US Olympian Debbie Green
Debbie Green, Olympic silver medalist setter describes what it's like to be "the shortest volleyball player" on the team
My Motivational Volleyball Story Inspiring Stories by Great Players
Follow along as eight (8) iconic legendary players share their inspirational volleyball story of overcoming obstacles on and off the court.
Flo Hyman, The Volleyball Story of America's Best Outside Hitter
One of the most famous volleyball players in the world Flo Hyman is still loved by many fans
Mary Jo Peppler The Female Volleyball Player America Had To Respect
Mary Jo Peppler "The Female Volleyball Player America Had To Respect" written by Mary Jo Peppler for the Volleyball Voices project produced by April Chapple.
Nina Matthies, Womens Pro Beach Volleyball Association's Founder
Former Pepperdine head volleyball coach Nina Matthies created the WPVA, America's first pro beach volleyball tour for women and shares her inspiring story
Sharkie Zartman Explains What It Means To be Volleyball Obsessed
One of the world's famous volleyball players, Sharkie Zartman, describes what it’s like to be “obsessed.” By Sharkie Zartman for the Volleyball Voices by April Chapple. .
Laurel Brassey Iversen, A Girl Volleyball Player Better Than The Boys
Laurel Brassey Iversen, first called a "runt" by her brothers friends when she wanted to play ball with them, later became an Olympic volleyball player.
Famous Female Volleyball Players Rose Magers 1984 Olympian
One of America's famous female volleyball players Rose Magers-Powell a 1984 Olympic player earned the first silver medal in US history for women.
Kim Oden 2x Olympian The Tallest Volleyball Player On the Court
This story "The Tallest Volleyball Player on the Team" was written by Kim Oden for the Volleyball Voices Volleyball stories project by April Chapple.
Teee Williams Olympic Bronze Medalist Tells Her Volleyball Story
Olympian Teee Williams learned how to became a better volleyball player, through faith and her will to never give up learning about the game no matter what.
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.
Struggling with passing consistency?
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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.
Email me right now to register or for more information.
info@improveyourvolley.com
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Can't hire a private trainer?
Get my Targeted Volleyball Checklist Bundles by Skill Level
(only $27 each)
Bundle #1:
Complete Beginner Serving System - $27
Complete Beginner Serving System: The Ultimate Support System for Beginners
Click to Download Your Pre Serving Ritual Mastery Checklist pdf:
🎯Volleyball Pre Serving Ritual Guide - $7
Transform Your Serve from Weak to Weapon
Stop letting pressure situations destroy your serves?
You'll Get
- ✓3-bounce physical preparation setup system
- ✓Mental routine for target pre-selection and visualization
- ✓Technical execution checklist for automatic consistency
- ✓Proven tips for bulletproof toss consistency
- ✓Pressure-proof strategies that eliminate serving errors
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?
Click to Download Your Pre Serving Ritual Mastery Checklist pdf:
🎯Volleyball Pre Serving Ritual Guide -
Players! Learn How To Transform Your Serve from Weak to Weapon
Click to Download Your Parent's Volleyball Serving Checklist pdf
🎯Parent's Volleyball Serving Checklist Guide
Parents! Help Your Player Develop Championship Serves (Even If You've Never Played)
Hi there!
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
Ready to energize your volleyball mom journey?
Subscribe to my 'Producing Powerful Passionate Peaceful Players' email list above on ImproveYourVolley.com.
You'll receive energy-boosting tips, exclusive insights from me, Coach April Chapple on maintaining momentum in volleyball.
Let's power up the Vegas volleyball scene together!
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Volleyball Drills For Passing Beginners Do To Improve Passing Skills
May 16, 26 09:54 PM
I recommend these volleyball drills for passing beginners use to fix accuracy, foot speed to the ball, platform angled to target and reading the server's body -
Serving Volleyball Drills For Beginners Who Want To Be On Varsity
May 16, 26 09:54 PM
Looking to make the varsity volleyball team? Discover essential serving volleyball drills for beginners that will elevate your skills and help you score points. -
Volleyball Drills For Beginners To Improve Volleyball Bumping At Home
May 16, 26 09:52 PM
For newbies who want to learn about at home volleyball drills for beginners looking to improve their ability to read the ball during their passing drills.