There’s a new kind of matchup on the volleyball court. Not with two opposing teams or top players, but a matchup in which club and high school volleyball are trying to coexist.

Is club volleyball taking over?

As both a high school and club coach, Scottsdale Prep’s Chris Stanfield has a unique perspective on the issue.

“Many of the top high school players are foregoing playing in the high school season,” Stanfield said. “They’re using it as an offseason training period to prepare for the club season.”

Is high school volleyball a dying trend?

Although club has become more popular amongst athletes in Arizona, high school volleyball offers benefits of its own. A few of the 2A volleyball coaches shared their thoughts on the issue.

“I do not think club is taking over high school volleyball,” Veritas Prep coach Emily Lindley said. “I think high school volleyball is a time for school pride and tradition. You don't get that from club. In high school you get to see your teammates throughout the day, sit with each other at lunch and truly connect with each other. It's not quite as easy to do that during club season.”

High school sports are a tradition that may never be replaced. It is a time for school spirit and a time to learn and grow as both an athlete and a student. Club volleyball stands for something a little different.

“Club volleyball is very much about the promotion of individual players so they can get more exposure,” Arizona College Prep coach Heather Orr said. “More and more kids are playing club volleyball because they want an opportunity to play in college.”

Club volleyball, too, offers benefits of its own.

A club volleyball team travels near and far to several tournaments over the course of their long season, beginning in November and ending in June. This gives a team opportunities to be seen by many different college coaches in the respective area.

Girls don’t have to pick between the two seasons as they are opposite of one another. The high school offseason is also the college offseason, allowing college coaches to travel and watch players participating during club volleyball.

“Club is the major recruiting factor for girls if they want to play at the next level because high school season is the same time as the college season,” Chandler Prep coach Anthony Jones said. “College coaches won’t have time to see them during their high school season.”

Although the number of girls playing club volleyball has increased, high school volleyball has not detrimentally decreased. The decline has shown more in multi-sport athletes.

With the seasons aligning back to back, volleyball is being played year-round.

“Even though there are dates that prohibit club from interfering with high school, the two really back right up to each other,” Lindley said. “As soon as one is done the other picks right back up and vice versa.”

The eight-month long club season can be challenging.

“The intensity level changes,” Stanfield said. “I’m more intense and I demand much more out of my club players. They’re typically more motivated to perform and more committed to the team.”

Club and high school athletics offer different opportunities for volleyball players but are both equally as valuable to the athlete and the student.

At the end of the day points will be scored, games will be played, and club and high school volleyball will find a way to coexist.