There is a common phrase that Nebraska is “The Volleyball State.” I think this is utterly ridiculous to say, because Nebraska is one of fourteen states that do not have sanctioned boys’ high school volleyball. Calling a state the Volleyball State while excluding half the population from officially playing the sport at the high school level makes no sense at all. Volleyball cannot truly represent an entire state if opportunities are largely limited to one gender.
While Nebraska girls’ volleyball is very competitive and consistently ranks among the top in the country, its boys’ side is quite the opposite. As one of the states that does not have sanctioned boys’ high school volleyball, there are very few boys’ volleyball clubs and no colleges that offer it as a varsity sport. To put things in perspective, there is not only one, but two professional women’s volleyball teams in Nebraska. What other sport has two professional teams in a state but still does not have it as a high school sport?
Meanwhile, boys’ volleyball is the fastest‑growing youth sport in the United States. States across the country are adding high school programs, investing in boys’ volleyball at both the local and competitive levels, and building pipelines that lead into college programs. Nebraska is falling behind, not because of a lack of interest or talent, but because the foundation simply has not been built.
Right now, Nebraska has a rare opportunity to change that trajectory. Schools and athletic directors should be actively working to introduce or expand boys’ club volleyball programs within their districts. Even if statewide sanctioning does not happen immediately, local momentum matters. The more schools that create club programs, the closer we get to achieving the participation numbers required for NSAA recognition. If Nebraska waits too long, the gap between this state and those that are already investing in boys’ volleyball will only continue to widen.
From my personal experience, I’ve played for several clubs in Nebraska. Unfortunately, I ended up leaving each of them due to the lack of competition, limited resources, and the absence of connections to colleges. Eventually, I had no choice but to look for opportunities out of state. I now play for a team in Kansas City, and while the level of play, coaching, and competitive environment have been incredible, it comes at a cost. Driving three hours each way just for practices is not sustainable, nor should it be necessary for someone living in a state that claims to be “The Volleyball State.” I want to develop my game at the highest level possible, but I would much rather do that closer to home, something that would be possible if Nebraska invested meaningfully in boys’ volleyball.
