New club volleyball team starts out east

BRADENTON — Over the past few years, East County volleyball coaches Matt McElhiney and Kristen Batt have watched a number of elite players leave the area in search of a more competitive club environment.

Wanting to retain some of their players and provide them with the competitive atmosphere they’ve been seeking, McElhiney, who coaches at Braden River High, and Batt, who coaches at Cardinal Mooney High, formed Coastline Volleyball at the beginning of May.

“A lot of stronger players left the area to go to Tampa and play for larger and more competitive clubs,” McElhiney said. “We wanted to provide the girls who were left a little more competition top to bottom.”

The new club is focused on providing elite level instruction and training with the goal of preparing its athletes for the next level.

“There’s going to be a big emphasis on strength training,” McElhiney said. “We really want to help them elevate their level as a player.”

Coastline currently has three competitive club teams, including 16 Black, 17 Black and 17 Blue, although it plans to add several more teams, ranging from U10 to U18, this fall. The three teams recently competed in the 39th AAU Girls Junior National Volleyball Championships in Orlando.

The 17 Black team led the way, finishing 88th out of 182 teams in the blue flight, while the 16 Black team finished 126th in the green flight, and the 17 Blue team finished 167th in the violet flight.

Coastline will hold tryouts for its club teams the Sunday before Thanksgiving in preparation for the winter club season, which starts in December.

“We want to make sure to provide a real high-quality level of not only instruction but the entire program,” Batt said. “We want those who want to go to college and play to get the opportunity to do that. There’s a place for everyone who wants to play in college.”

In the meantime, Coastline will hold a mini summer volleyball camp from July 16 to July 17, at VolleyFit Sports Academy, 2204 58th Ave. E., Bradenton, for those interested in enhancing their skills while also learning more about the club.

Sessions will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. for middle-school players; noon to 2 p.m. for high school defensive specialists and setters; and 2 to 4 p.m. for high school outside and middle hitters. Sessions are $50, and only 16 spots are available per session.

Coastline also plans to hold a six-to eight-week mini club season for youth players this fall during the high school volleyball season.

In addition to indoor volleyball, Coastline also plans to offer a beach volleyball program.

“The sport of beach volleyball for youth is blowing up right now,” said Batt, who is a professional beach volleyball player. “Beach training really transfers to indoor, and there are a lot of beach scholarships available now.”

Eventually, Coastline also would like to add indoor or beach volleyball options for boys, as well.

For more information on Coastline Volleyball or to register, visit the organization’s website at coastlinevolleyball.com or contact Matt McElhiney at [email protected].

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected].