The men’s club volleyball team at UTSA has created a community and space for men to express their love for the sport while building long-lasting friendships and memories along the way. Men’s volleyball is an exhilarating sport to watch and compete in. The high-intensity environment is unmatched with every kill that hits the floor. Women’s volleyball differs from men’s as the height of the net is set at 2.24 m in women’s competitions and 2.43 m in men’s competitions. The strength and agility of the men’s team is recognizable as the game is more fast paced and more aggressive than women’s.
UTSA does not offer a men’s team as an official part of the school’s athletic program, but the Men’s Club Volleyball team — a student-run club team — surely brings the same level of energy. The mission behind the team is to allow men to play collegiate and competitive volleyball while learning the importance of teamwork, hard work and granting an opportunity to represent their university.
“At UTSA men’s club volleyball, we just try to be very inclusive, having everybody come do something that they love to do or something new for them,” Coach Sydnie Reece said. “We just encourage them to try a new sport and be a part of a team.”
The team competes under the National Collegiate Volleyball Federation (NCVF), a non-profit corporation that supports the health, education and leadership of collegiate club women’s and men’s volleyball. The club team is striving to make it to nationals which happens Apr. 16-Apr. 19 in Phoenix, AZ.
“I am excited about all the guys that are returning to the team and turned out to practice today and just to see what we are capable of this season and to compete in these games getting ready for nationals,” Reece added.
Spring 2025 tryouts were held at the UTSA Recreation Center to determine the positions each person would play if granted a spot. The club is separated into an “A-team” and a “B-team.” A little over 30 participants competed — some returning players and some new. UTSA club sports are unassociated with the NCAA, so anyone is able to participate. As each individual began to arrive at tryouts, they were greeted with hugs from their former teammates, this showed a sense of family.
“The victories that you would get whenever you beat a rival — hands down one of the best memories you can have,” former libero Nico Trujillo said.
UTSA men’s volleyball will officially begin their spring season in a tournament on Feb. 8 with the A-Team competing in Waco and B-Team in Denton.