Volleyball's Popularity Spiking in Doylestown

A sure sign of spring around Doylestown is the bright t-shirted teams that can be found most weeknights on the sand courts at Bush Park and Chapman Park.

It's volleyball season, and there is a club, league or pick-up group for just about every age and skill level.

Interest in the sport has grown by leaps and bounds over the past decade.

The Doylestown Athletic Association's volleyball program started in 2004 with 150 kids.

Today, about 600 kids are involved in the program, said the DAA's volleyball director, Andy Belfus. Over the years, the program has expanded to include three co-ed seasons – spring, summer and fall.

Broken up into age divisions, the non-profit DAA's program introduces kids to the sport and gets them more involved in the community, supporters said.

Belfus, who's retired, runs the program as a volunteer and his coaches do the same. He said he likes to keep it non-competitive and try to keep the pressure off of the kids and coaches. 

"You don't go to a barbecue and play soccer," Belfus said. Volleyball is "a game you can play forever. I'm 60 and I can still play. I play with guys that are 80 years old."

The spring league games, which are played outdoors, begin in mid-April with three age groups, Belfus said.

Fifth and sixth graders play Monday nights and seventh and eighth graders play Wednesday nights, both at George Bush Park in Buckingham. Ninth through twelfth graders play Tuesday nights at Chapman Park in Doylestown Borough.

Registration is $50 and can be done online.

Now in its ninth year, the DAA program has helped develop lots of local talent.

Nearly every student in the Doylestown area playing volleyball in high school went through the DAA program, Belfus said. Since the middle schools don't have volleyball teams, the club program helps introduce new kids to the sport.

"The younger they start the better it is and easier it is for them to get on the high school team," Belfus said.

Some Bucks County grads have continued playing volleyball after leaving the area. They include CB West's Nate Seidle at Philadelphia Biblical University and Ken Eiser at Juniata; CB South's Jackie Kushman at La Salle and Michelle Carrieri at Penn State; and New Hope Solebury High School's Caitlin McMillen at Temple.

Penn State and Juniata also hold summer camps for kids, while other camps are right in Bucks County at local parks.

Teens looking to get a little more into the sport can look into the Catholic Youth Organization, which have organized programs tied to different local churches. 

"The program is so good that many of these kids end up joining club," said Bob Quon, of Buckingham, who coaches for Region 20.

Club teams also are popular for teens looking to be involved in a regular, competitive atmosphere.

Kids aren't the only ones having fun on the court, though. Adults have plenty of options to stay active in the sport as well, whether they play competitively or not.

Adults can find a pick-up game that suits them on Meetup, drop into the SMG Sports Plex for an open gym time or become a member of the Central Bucks YMCA and join its recreational volleyball league, Quon said.

For people who are new to the sport, Quon advises trying to anticipate your skill level and stay within your ability range.

"A lot of times people want to play, but sometimes they jump onto a court with experienced people and ... that can be a disaster," he said. "We try to place people in the best position for success."

The indoor season runs from late October through the beginning of June and then outdoor season starts up on sand and grass courts.

Quon said the community is closeknit and always looking for more people to join. 

"It's a fun team sport," he said. "It's social. It's something that we really want to make sure continues growing."

Interested in getting involved? Contact Belfus at abelfus@aol.com or Quon at rquon48@gmail.com.