HOUSTON PRIME ATHLETICS AND THE CLUB SYSTEM
Houston Prime Athletics, former Asics Willowbrook Volleyball, is a part of a well-established nationwide club system, USA Volleyball. USAV is a national organization, which promotes and organizes systematic training and competition at the local, regional and national levels.
Houston Prime Athletics is one of the larger clubs in the Houston area, that operates from one of the biggest training complex in Houston, with 12 Volleyball courts and a dedicated strength and conditioning gym next to the complex. We distinguish ourselves as having won Houston’s first national championship along with 2 other medals. The club has won National Championships in the Youth and Adult Level. Organized in 1998, our growth and success are a result of our training philosophy, our dedicated directors and staff coaches, and of course, the hard work of our girls! Our training philosophy builds the player’s skill set consistently from one year to the next.
The level of play in club ball is much higher than that found in local recreational leagues, such as the YMCA, and even school programs at the lower grades. This is primarily due to professional coaching. Club experience is important in developing as a player. Most, if not all, girls who make their high school teams (not to mention those that go on to win college scholarships) play club ball.
THE CLUB VOLLEYBALL SEASON
The club volleyball season begins after school season ends, in the fall. Clubs have tryouts during the summer, late June early July, prior to the start of school season. Teams begin practice after school season ends, usually around mid-November, then begin playing tournaments on many weekends starting in December. Club season ends at various times, usually late April. National teams will continue to practice and compete in postseason play, perhaps even traveling to compete in the Junior National Championships or the AAU championships in the summer.
The learning focus of the club experience is for the individuals to work together as a team, how to be competitive. This is done through team practice, four to six hours a week, two or three days a week, and then tournament play on many Saturdays and sometimes Sundays. Tournaments usually last half a day or all day.
GETTING STARTED IN CLUB VOLLEYBALL
A certain level of skill is expected from each prospective player. Each club holds tryouts to determine if the prospect has sufficient ability to make the team.
If you don’t make a team- No Worries!! We will direct you to our programs that will give her everything she needs to learn the skills and get prepared for school and club tryouts.
There are many choices of Instructional programs for developing players. Group instruction, such as our instructional leagues and developmental classes, can provide the set of fundamental skills the player is looking for and can build on.
Summer camps provide intense training over a short period of time. Private instruction is helpful as well in identifying and correcting weak areas, or to perfect the player’s technique. (Experienced players utilize summer camps and private lessons to hone their skills as well.)
WANT TO PLAY CLUB BALL?
If you are completely new to volleyball, or if you have had some experience through the YMCA or another local sports association, check out our Developmental Programs.
If you are 8-14 years of age, check out our Little Prime League which plays from December to May. Registration is ongoing in the late summer and early fall. In the meantime, try one of our All-Skills Camps, Jr High, Last Chance Camp, Serving Academies, Skills Academies and our Prime Summer League in the summer.
If you are 12 years of age or older, and already know you like volleyball and want to learn more, we invite you to try out for Club Volleyball. Tryouts are held annually in June/July, so watch our website for announcements and info.
Our local (non-travel) program for is for ages 12-17, and practices twice a week, and competes in 10 local tournaments.
For the serious player, our Juniors Travel Teams program for ages 12-18 practices 2-3 times per week, attends strength and conditioning twice/Once a week. We have Regional Travel Teams and National Travel Teams. All National Level Teams will participate in post-season play into the summer.
Acceptance is determined through Tryouts in June/July, or come to one of our Select Training Camps and talk to the staff. For further information on any of our programs, see our Programs page, e-mail us, or call 281-807-0055.
| – | DEVELOPMENTAL TEAMS | LOCAL TEAMS | REGIONAL TEAMS | NATIONAL TEAMS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ages | K-9th grade | 11-17 | 12-18 | 12-18 |
| Practices | Once a Week | Twice a Week | Twice a Week | Twice a Week (Sometimes 3x) |
| Performance Training | Available | Available | Once a Week | Twice a Week |
| Tournaments | Houston Tournaments | Houston Tournaments | Houston and Texas Tournaments | Houston, Texas & National Tournaments |
| Other Sports Allowed? | Yes | Yes | Permission Required | Permission Required |
| Players Receive | 1 Uniform Top | 1 Uniform Top | 2 Uniform Tops | 3 Uniform Tops |
| 1 Pair of Spandex | 2 Pair of Spandex | 2 Pair of Spandex | 2 Pair of Spandex | |
| 1 Practice Shirt | 2 Practice Shirts | 2 Practice Shirts | 2 Practice Shirts | |
| 1 Pair of Shoes | 1 Pair of Cover Shorts | 1 Pair of Cover Shorts | 1 Pair of Cover Shorts | |
| Bag | 1 Backpack | 1 Backpack | 1 Backpack | |
| 1 Pair of Socks | 1 Pairs of Socks | 1 Pair of Socks | ||
| 1 Pair of Shoes | 1 Pair of Shoes | 1 Pair of Shoes | ||
| Set of Warm Ups – Pants and Jacket | Set of Warm Ups – Pants and Jacket | Set of Warm Ups – Pants and Jacket |