Eight members of the ConVal girls’ varsity and JV volleyball teams keep their skills sharp by playing travel volleyball throughout the winter and spring, competing in tournaments as far away as Las Vegas and going up against teams from all over the country.

“Playing against really talented girls from all over is incredibly tough because the competition is on a whole different level. Every player is fast, powerful and smart on the court. You’re constantly challenged physically by the speed and strength of their game, and mentally by their ability to read plays and stay composed under pressure,” said ConVal varsity co-captain Zadie Marshall.

Marshall and fellow co-captain Ivy Armstrong-McEvoy play for Junior Dynamo NH Volleyball Club based in Milford. This winter, tournaments with Dynamo took them to Las Vegas, Washington D.C., Connecticut and Boston.

Most of the players travel 45 minutes to one hour each way to practice with their club teams, balancing schoolwork and other sports. All eight players also work during the school year and the summer.

“I would say that the most-challenging thing about playing travel volleyball is staying on top of schoolwork during tournament weekends,” Armstrong-McEvoy said. “It can be challenging to complete school assignments while also focusing on playing. A lot of my energy is saved for the games I have to play during the day, and I try my very best to use the rest of my energy on assignments. Although sometimes, all I want to do is take a nap after working hard on the court.”

Ava Van Horn, Regan Kirlin, Piper Bernier and Emily Simard play for the Capital Region Black Hawks Volleyball Club, which is based in Concord. When asked what she thinks is the best part of travel volleyball, Simard said she enjoys getting to play at a higher level.

“Depending on what bracket we are placed in, at all our tournaments, we seem to play a few higher-level teams, which I definitely enjoy,” Simard said. “I also like being able to meet and play against new people and to get to experience more game play during tournaments.”

All the players agree that playing travel volleyball is a very different experience from playing on the ConVal team.

“I would say that club volleyball is a lot different than the ConVal season. For me, I learn a lot of my skills during the club season, and then showcase them during the ConVal season,” Armstrong-McEvoy said.

Van Horn said the best part of playing travel volleyball is making new friends.

“From my experience, the social and physical dynamics of school and club teams are very different,” Van Horn said. “A highlight of my club season has been connecting with the girls and forming ‘forever’ friendships. Not only do we share a love for the sport, but now each other as well.”

Bernier said, “I really enjoy playing club volleyball because it gives me the opportunity to compete at a high level with players from all over, which pushes me to grow as an athlete. I can see noticeable growth in my skills and confidence, and I’m truly proud of that. I’m also really grateful for all the coaches. ”

Bernier said varsity and club volleyball are “hard to compare, since they’re so different.”

“I also really enjoy high school volleyball. The energy on our team is always so positive, and I’m surrounded by supportive teammates and peers. One of the best parts of school volleyball is the support we see at games from the students and parents. Club and school are so different, but I’ve learned a lot from both,’ she said.

Kirlin, a sophomore, balanced winter club volleyball with skiing on the ConVal Alpine team.

“Learning to play cohesively as a team with limited practice time is a real challenge, since we only practice twice a week, and one practice is optional,” Kirlin said.

Kirlin feels her travel team, the Black Hawks, are very supportive, and she appreciates the quality of the coaching.

“My travel team coach really cares, and spends time talking to us about how we can improve as players,” Kirin said. “I loved getting to play in a set position where I can grow and improve as a player, but also fill in where I am needed elsewhere on the team.”

Sophomore Grace Schuneman, who plays for the Mill City Orange, said travel and varsity volleyball are “very different.”

“It takes longer to come together on travel teams because very few girls know each other. The time commitment and the extra work required to be successful means sacrificing in other areas. It’s also really a year-round commitment,” Schunemann said.

Schuneman plans to attend volleyball camps to work on her skills throughout the summer.

Junior Ashlynn Williams, who plays for Meraki Volleyball in Bedford, travels just under an hour each way.

“Travel volleyball has way high expectations and it really will push me to make strides in my volleyball career,” she said.

Each of the players said the best part of travel volleyball, aside from making new friends, is winning tournaments. Marshall said the hours of practice “were all worth it” when Dynamo finished the season on top.

“Winning in a division above our usual level was the highlight of the season because it proved how much we had grown as a team and how hard we had worked. We weren’t expected to come out on top, and every match pushed us to play smarter, harder, and more together than ever before. That win wasn’t just a trophy; it was a statement that we could compete with the best and hold our own,” she said.