A photo of fourth graders who participate in the East Lansing youth volleyball program. (Courtesy photo)

Marble Elementary Teacher Grows Volleyball Program from the Ground Up, Boys Middle School Team Gains Momentum

Two years ago, Marble Elementary gym teacher Samantha Tucker saw a need for a youth volleyball program.

Knowing that a successful high school team relies on building up talent from a young age, Tucker decided to share her expertise with East Lansing youth and started a volleyball program for fourth through eighth grade students.

“Sports have so many benefits. They can build your confidence,” Tucker said.

“Giving this platform for players can have them gain confidence and success as well as being healthy with their physical activity.”

The program has grown over its first two years, as there are 16 girls teams, about 170 players and 34 volunteer coaches.

“I have seen the love of volleyball grow,” Tucker said.

A fourth grade East Lansing youth volleyball team huddles up. (Courtesy photo)

The most recent development in the program is the addition of a boys team that plays in games. There was a practice team for boys last year, but for this season Tucker contacted girls volleyball coaches to see if they would be interested in adding boys teams.

“I emailed all the coaches last year in the Greater Lansing area and said ‘Hey, we’re looking to start a boys middle school team in East Lansing, if you could do the same in your communities, then we could have a league,’” said Tucker.

The idea took off. With five communities interested, the East Lansing boys volleyball team played its first games against a Lansing team last month. The effort was assisted by parents who pitched in to make the games possible.

“We had parents do line judging, we had parents to score, we had parents help set up and do the net. Everyone pitched in to make the season possible,” Tucker said.

Tucker also called her own mentor, former East Lansing High School volleyball coach Bob Alim-Young, to assist with some practices.

The East Lansing boys youth volleyball team was able to play its first games last month, competing against a team from Lansing. (Courtesy photo)

As Tucker plans for the future with her program, she hopes the boys middle school team can be the start of something greater.

Interest in boys volleyball at the high school level is exploding. The Detroit Free Press reported that since the Michigan High School Athletic Association, or MHSAA, added volleyball as a boys sport in 2018, participation has grown from four schools to 118.

“I’m hoping one day we’re [East Lansing] allowed to have an MHSAA team at the high school. It’s not an option right now, but I’m hoping this boys middle school volleyball team will feed that high school team, and then we could be competing in the next MHSAA tournament,” Tucker said.

Above all else, she’s glad the community shares her love for the sport.

“This definitely was a grassroots effort and now it’s just running like a well-oiled machine,” Tucker said.

Those interested in learning more about the youth volleyball program can visit eastlansingyouthvolleyball.com/get-ready-for-change-to-happen.