Our
mission/vision
Performance Volleyball Academy (PVA) will provide a competitive environment where our athletes not only grow as volleyball players but are empowered as young individuals as well.
We believe that high levels of instruction in a supportive and inclusive environment promotes and prepares our athletes for competition and in embracing their futures both on and off the court.
PVA 2024-2025 season
program fees
Pick Team level
select team
Payments will be divided with Deposits in July: Payment in August, October, November, December, January and February.
Premier Level Teams will compete with the intent on trying to gain a bid to USAV Nationals or AAU.
Payments will be divided with Deposit in July, which will be applied to cost of fees (500.00). Payment in September, October, November, December.
Select Teams are designed for Athletes who want to compete at a high level, but play multiple sports and not travel.
-
day tournamnent
1
-
regionals 2 days
YES
-
powerleague 3 or 4 days
YES
-
hours of practice
6
-
travel 3 day qualifier
3
-
coaches travel expenses
Yes
-
show me 3 days
1
-
included lessons
YES
-
triple crown
YES
-
optional qualifier
NO
-
season start date
November 4th
-
cost
3700.00
-
day tournamnent
1
-
regionals 2 days
YES
-
powerleague 3 or 4 days
YES
-
hours of practice
6
-
travel 3 day qualifier
2
-
coaches travel expenses
Yes
-
show me 3 days
1
-
included lessons
YES
-
triple crown
NO
-
optional qualifier
YES
-
season start date
November 4th
-
cost
3325.00
-
day tournamnent
3
-
regionals 2 days
YES
-
powerleague 3 or 4 days
MLK
-
hours of practice
6
-
travel 3 day qualifier
1
-
coaches travel expenses
Yes
-
show me 3 days
1
-
included lessons
YES
-
triple crown
NO
-
optional qualifier
YES
-
season start date
November 4th
-
cost
2950.00
-
day tournamnent
5
-
regionals 2 days
YES
-
powerleague 3 or 4 days
MLK
-
hours of practice
6
-
travel 3 day qualifier
No
-
coaches travel expenses
No
-
show me 3 days
1
-
included lessons
NO
-
triple crown
NO
-
optional qualifier
NO
-
season start date
November 4th
-
cost
2175.00
-
local day events
6
-
regional 2 day event
YES
-
route 66 travel 2 day event
YES
-
travel expenses for coaches
NO
-
molten l2 ball
NO
-
practice shirts
3
-
hours of practice
4
-
season start date
Nov 4th
-
cost
1950.00
- U18-U12 Teams will have mandatory individual training on Tuesdays weekly. ($450.00 that will be divided into payments)(Not part of the base fee)
- All Premiere Teams will have mandatory SSA from November-March. 2 times a week ($600.00) divided into their payments, (Not part of the base fee)
- Uniforms: All Premiere Teams will purchase 3 Jerseys, 2 spandex, 1 knee pad, 2 socks, shoes, backpack, long sleeve warm up and pants. (Total cost around $600.00)
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Uniforms: All Select Teams will purchase 2 Jerseys, 2 spandex, 1 knee pad, 2 socks (total cost around 325.00) You will have the option to buy the team warm up, shoes and any additional PVA items
Our
Services
Private
Instruction
Join one of our camps or clinics to improve your game in a fun and learning atmosphere
LEARN MOREcamps &
Clinics/tryouts
Join one of our many camps and clinics to compete with the best volleyball players in your age group.
LEARN MOREHomefield
Tournaments
Join the experience and enter your team into a Homefield volleyball event.
Learn MoreOur
Core Values
Integrity
PVA prides itself on teaching kids to say what you mean and do what you say. We strive to teach kids the responsibility of being counted on, not only on the court, but off the court.
Discipline
The practice of training good habits on and off the court. This value transcends more than sports but all aspects of life.
leadership
We strive to lead young athletes by example, so others may follow. We believe the ability to lead lies within every player that enters our gym.
Confidence
Empowering young athletes to feel strong and capable. Piloting their character with the knowledge that they can achieve great things.
teamwork
WE over ME. PVA aims to show athletes that by placing the team’s goals above their own they will go further together. Our athletes are able to hold their teammates accountable while leaning on them as well.
Join Us
Become a member of the PVA Family
If you are interested in advancing your player development in a structured program with high level instruction, you’ve come to the right place. We are always open to players and teams that want to be apart of the PVA tradition.
Homefield
Inquiry Form
Academy Inquiry Form
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Important PVA
Information
2024-2024 Practice Schedule
SSA (Speed, Strength & Agility) Schedule
Our
instructors
Christi Lutman
Club Director – Head Coach of 16 Elite and 15 Elite
Ryan Hembrough
Recruiting Coordinator – Head Coach of 13 Elite and 18 Elite Assistant
Zach Warring
Director of Volleyball Instruction
Amy Christian
11 Elite Head Coach & Director of Volley Tot’s & Volley Mini’s
Jeff Morgan
12 Elite and 16 Molten Head Coach
Mark Rice
14 Elite Head Coach
Katie Straka
15 Elite Assistant
Bree Thompson
18 Elite Head Coach & 16 Elite Assistant Coach
Sarah Joles Slagle
12 Elite Assistant & 14 Elite Assistant
Matt Striegel
12 Elite Assistant Coach
Alycia Bradley
17 Elite Assistant Coach & 14-2 Select Head Coach
Sydney Henry
13 Elite Assistant Coach
Ryley Shinkle
17 Elite Head Coach
Aubree Bell
14 Elite Assistant Coach
Tori Spencer
15 Elite Assistant Coach
Kersti Nix
16 Elite Assistant Coach
Kaitlyn Disney
11 Elite Assistant Coach
Christi Lutman
Club Director – Head Coach of 16 Elite and 15 Elite
Christi founded PVA in 2011 after finishing her playing career at the University of Missouri. She was named an All-American in 2003 and inducted into the Mizzou Hall of Fame in 2013. Christi is currently the assistant coach for the women’s volleyball team at the University of Central Missouri. She will serve as the primary middle and offensive trainer for PVA.
Ryan Hembrough
Recruiting Coordinator – Head Coach of 13 Elite and 18 Elite Assistant
Ryan started coaching with PVA in 2021 and is finishing up his third season with the club. In 2023, his 12 Elite squad earned their bid to USAV Nationals in Dallas. He has also served as an assistant for the upcoming 16-Elite team over the past 3 seasons.. the first PVA team to double qualify in the Open division in the same year (23’). Ryan also serves as the clubs Recruiting Coordinator and is extremely passionate about finding all our athletes with next level aspirations, a spot at a program and university that fits everything the kid is looking for. In his first year as the Recruiting Coordinator, the 24’ class had 17 kids commit to play at the next level, a PVA record.
Ryan played D1 Men’s Club volleyball as a MB at Southern Illinois University of Edwardsville. He aims to provide a positive and inclusive environment while preaching culture and chemistry at the highest level. Ryan is passionate about developing individuals who are not only skilled athletes but good people as well. Ryan focuses on training positional discipline within all skills.
Zach Warring
Director of Volleyball Instruction
Background:
Zach Warring has coached volleyball since 2010 at various levels including NCAA DI, NCAA DII, NAIA Beach, NJCAA, Premier Club, and Recreational. During this time, he has taken both college and club teams to their respective National Tournaments and coached record-breaking, All-Conference and All-American athletes.
Instruction Style:
I believe the human comes before the player. It is my goal to help guide athletes towards being strong and confident in their self-perception in hopes they pass that gift along to others. Headspace and self-talk are just as important as any physical rep a player will ever take.
Amy Christian
11 Elite Head Coach & Director of Volley Tot’s & Volley Mini’s
Amy Christian has a club career spanning 25 years in Kansas City. Amy has qualified teams for Nationals in the Open and National divisions. This is Amy’s second year coaching with PVA where she runs the club’s Volley Tot (5-7) and Volley Mini (8-10) programs in addition to serving as the Director of Volleyball Tournaments for Homefield . In addition to coaching club, she is the varsity assistant at Blue Valley North under head coach Matt Allin, where she has helped the team to 3 straight state appearances with a 1st, 3rd, and runner-up title respectively.. Collegiately, Amy played at UCM from 1987-1989. Amy emphasizes training the complete athlete and building confidence in all skills.
Jeff Morgan
12 Elite and 16 Molten Head Coach
Jeff Morgan has a club coaching career spanning 24 years in Kansas city. Jeff coached boys his first two years of his coaching career and over the past 22 years he has coached all ages and levels and the last 14 years for PVA. Jeff has made nationals every year he has coached and has sent numerous players to play collegiately at all levels!
Jeff has consistently qualified teams in the Open, National, USA and American divisions, including a 9th place finish in the Country at Nationals.
Jeff played high school volleyball in the St. Louis area. He led the state in kills his last 3 years of high school. He was named to the USAV all-tournament team his senior year. Collegiately, he played volleyball at Graceland University from 1997 to 2001. Graceland won Nationals in 1998 and the team was inducted into the Graceland Wall of Fame.
Mark Rice
14 Elite Head Coach
Mark served as a Varsity volleyball coach in Lee’s Summit for 20 years while racking up 476 wins for an average of 23 wins per season. Mark guided Lee’s Summit HS to Missouri State’s final four for the first and only appearance and led Lee’s Summit West HS to a State Championship and 2 Runner-Up Titles. Coach Mark’s Lee’s Summit West teams were ranked top 10 nationally. Mark was inducted into the Missouri Volleyball Coaches Hall of Fame in 2024. In the club scene, Mark has consistently qualified teams for Nationals in the Open, USA, National, and American divisions. He emphasizes training to individual players strengths and building confidence in all skills. lives in Lee’s Summit with his wife Jill. He enjoys spending time with his family and 2 grandkids.
Katie Straka
15 Elite Assistant
Currently the head coach at Blue Springs High School, Katie Straka has 25 years coaching experience at all age levels in both club and high school. Her high school resume includes coaching at BSHS since 2008, where she has led the Wildcats to eight district championships, four Elite Eight appearances, and a State Runner Up finish; prior to that, a two-year stint at Shawnee Mission North saw Straka’s team knocked out in the sub state finals both years. Straka began her high school coaching year at Warrensburg High School, where she coached for five seasons, winning a district title in 2002. In 2023, Straka was named to the Missouri High School Volleyball Coaches Hall of Fame. While coaching club for Team KC in 2010, Straka’s 17’s team qualified for Nationals; she’s also coached 10 and under teams for Invasion. At PVA, Straka coached the 15 Elite team to a 12th place finish at Nationals in the USA division in 2022; that same team elevated their status to a 5th place finish their 16s year. Straka currently serves as an assistant to Christi Lutman on the 14s team, who has qualified in the National division.
As a high school player at Clearwater High School, Straka played on two state qualifying teams, winning a state title her junior year and finishing fourth her senior year; she was named as All-Tournament selection as well as earning All-State honors. Straka pursued an undergraduate degree at UCM and played for the Jennies until her graduation in 2001. Straka was inducted into the UCM Hall of Fame with three Jennies teams: 1996, 1998, 1999. Straka was an MIAA Academic All-Conference selection each year of her college career. After finishing her undergraduate degree in English Education, Straka has since completed her Masters in Secondary School Administration and earned a Graduate Certificate in Online Teaching and Learning. Straka teaches English and Journalism at BSHS, and lives at Lake Tapawingo with her husband, Jeff.
Bree Thompson
18 Elite Head Coach & 16 Elite Assistant Coach
Bree Thompson, an Iowa Native, played collegiately at both Lipscomb & then UMKC. Bree had a very decorated High School career as she was a 4-time state champion, 4-time All-Tournament team, 4-time All-District, 4-time All-State and 2-time Iowa Player of the Year. Bree competed for both Six Pack and CIA and won 6 Qualifiers in her club career. She also was a member of the CIA sand volleyball team and was a 2-time National Qualifier in the sand.
During her two years at Lipscomb, Bree and her teammates went a combined 33-16 including an NCAA tournament experience in her sophomore campaign. While battling injuries in both seasons, Bree played in a combine 22 matches. Following her transfer to UMKC, Bree played in 23 matches during her junior season and received All Summit League honors. During her senior year, Bree had a major ankle reconstruction after suffering a brutal ankle injury, only allowing her to play in 6 matches that season. Bree still received All Summit League Academic Honors.
Bree is entering her third-year coaching at PVA and will be on staff for both 18 Elite and 16 Elite. She has a passion for this game and finds it to be very important to understand each athlete and meet them each where they are. Bree develops and trains all skills at a high level and will be pivotal for our club moving forward.
Sarah Joles Slagle
12 Elite Assistant & 14 Elite Assistant
Sarah Slagle is a Kansas City native beginning her volleyball career playing for ranked and nationally qualified Invasion and MAVS teams through high-school. Sarah continued her playing career collegiately at Missouri Southern State University where she started all four years as a setter; earning multiple MIAA All-Conference accolades and holding university records: second all-time in assists, first all-time in assists in a five game match and first all-time in service aces. During her tenure, the team ranked Top 25 in the nation and made their first appearance in the DII National Tournament.
Post college, Sarah played competitively indoor and outdoor (doubles) and joined the coaching staff at Performance Volleyball Academy in their inaugural year where she coached for three additional years, qualifying teams for Nationals. Sarah stepped away from coaching in 2014 to focus on family and her corporate career—she married her now husband Blake and they have two daughters, Knoelle (4) and Knox (1).
Sarah believes that success principles are universal in every arena—and it starts with mindset. She’s passionate about developing a success mindset in the girls she coaches, knowing it will prepare them for life beyond volleyball.
Matt Striegel
12 Elite Assistant Coach
Matt Striegel went to the University of Northern Iowa where he played for the UNI Men’s volleyball club competing for 4 years. Once he graduated, he moved to Kansas City and kept playing volleyball (indoor, outdoor grass quads and doubles, and then transitioned to playing mostly sand doubles). Matt started coaching junior volleyball in 2003 at Club North for 6 years (coaching ages 15-18s). Matt then coached for the Titan’s club for two years as an assistant to Christi Lutman taking a 17 team to Nationals and an 18s team to Nationals in the Open Division. Matt then took some time off from coaching, got married to his wife Casey and started a family – daughter Andie (11), and Kane (8). He got back into coaching club volleyball again in 2022 coaching a PVA 10s team and recently coached our 11 Elite team that was one of the 48 teams in the Nation to qualify at 11’s. Matt is extremely passionate about volleyball and is excited to grow the sport and develop that same passion with the girls he coaches.
Alycia Bradley
17 Elite Assistant Coach & 14-2 Select Head Coach
Alycia played collegiate volleyball at the University of Central Oklahoma as an OH. She began coaching in 2017 for Oklahoma Peak and this will be her second year coaching at PVA as the 13-2 Select head coach and 17 national assistant!
Sydney Henry
13 Elite Assistant Coach
Sydney is a current reigning 1st Team All Summit League setter at UMKC. Sydney played at Sterling HS, in Colorado, under coach Lisa Schumacher. As a freshman, Sydney was named an All-Conference Honorable Mention, as a sophomore, she won state championship and was named Mile High Prep Report 3A Player of the Year, First Team All-Conference, Second Team All-State. As a Junior, Sydney was a state runner-up and led 3A in kills. Sydney was named Second Team All-State, First Team All-Conference and was an Under Armor All-American nominee. 2022 3A Player of the Year here senior year at Sterling. Sydney had over 1,000 career kills and 1,000 career digs and at one point in her career, her team won 58-straight sets, a school record. Played for Norco Volleyball Club, coached by Jim Stone, Janae McDonnell, and Andy Levoe. Sydney was named to Prep Volleyball Magazine Sophomore 75 Highest Honorable Mention & AVCA Phenom Selection. Parents Mark and Marci Henry. Sydney’s father played football at Colorado & her mother is the athletic director at Northeastern Junior College. One sibling, Axel Henry who also ran track, lettering and placing in high jump. Sydney was also her Student Council Senior Class President & a member of Student Leadership Advisory Committee. Earned honor roll all four years & is was a scholar athlete award winner in HS. Sydney will emphasize training the complete athlete and building confidence in all skills.
Ryley Shinkle
17 Elite Head Coach
Aubree Bell
14 Elite Assistant Coach
Aubree played competitive volleyball for a total of 11 years. Playing six years for PVA at the Elite Level and five years at the collegiate level for The University of Central Missouri. During her time at Central Missouri, she earned three All-Conference awards as well as a team Regular Season Championship and Post Season Conference Championship. Aubree is currently the Head Volleyball Coach of a Class 5 High School in the KC metro area, and she looks forward to coaching competitive club volleyball for PVA at the Elite level again for the 3rd year in a row.
Tori Spencer
15 Elite Assistant Coach
Tori Spencer has been with PVA for 2 years now as a head coach. She is currently finishing up her 6th year as JV volleyball coach at Blue Springs High School and will start her first season as head varsity volleyball coach at Staley High School this fall. She has been coaching club volleyball since she was 19 and loves to call PVA her club volleyball home!
Kersti Nix
16 Elite Assistant Coach
Kersti Nix, an Overland Park native competed for Mavs KC on the club scene. From there, Kersti committed to play at the University of Central Missouri in 2019. During her college career she was named a 3 time all conference scholar athlete, 3 time all conference academic honor roll, 2 time all central region team, 3 time all conference 1st team Outside Hitter and a AVCA All American. Kersti is the 10th Jennie to ever be named a 3 time all conference first teamer. Kersti completed her career with over 1,200 kills. She aspires to coach and is so passionate about helping girls get to the next level!
Kaitlyn Disney
11 Elite Assistant Coach
Our College
commitments
Khylie Remmenga
2026 / Oral Roberts University
Alex Myers
2025 / Florida Gulf Coast University
Marly Burbach
2025 / University of Missouri-St. Louis
Ragin Corwin
2025 / University of Central Missouri
Kate Wright
2025 / Mount Mercy University
Bria Dawson
2025 / University of Central Missouri
Kayla Gallagher
2025 / Bemidji State University
Macey Jackson
2025 / Midland University
Epi Salamasina
2025 / Missouri Southern State University
Faith Alsup
2025 / MidAmerica Nazarene
Summer Anderson
2025 / McNeese State
Anna Alexander
2024 / Saint Louis University
Emaline Handzel
2024 / Drake University
Rhyan Mock
2024 / University of Nebraska Kearney
Grace Wagers
2024 / UCM
Emery Keebaugh
2024 / Washburn University
Taryn Marcum
2024 / Washburn University
Mia Frisbie
2024 / Emporia State
Taylor Dick
2024 / University of Northwestern
Payton Hofer
2024 / Avila University
Our Members
Testimonials
Our daughter has played at the elite level at PVA for 5 years. We can’t imagine her playing anywhere else. The coaches not only pour into her as an athlete but help her grow as a person. Communication and structure are always on point. I can’t recommend the people, culture, and ultimately the organization enough. We are proud to be a part of the PVA family.
There are a lot of volleyball clubs in Kansas City. Joining a team can be expensive and time consuming. If you pick the RIGHT club, it will be the best investment you will make. We were unbelievably lucky for our daughter to spend the last four years (of her 10 year club volleyball career) at PVA. The club became her home, the team became her family, and she became her best self. The least of what she got out of her experience was the exceptional coaching & skill development (which is some of the best in the country!). Her teammates went on to make high-level college teams. They also developed into fantastic young women. At PVA they were held accountable, challenged, and valued. The players trusted each other. The families loved the experience. Coaches and Leaders at PVA take the time to understand their players and give them the support and tools necessary to pursue their dreams. Despite the distance between the graduated PVA players now (in colleges all across the country), they stay in daily contact. As for the parents…. We are still celebrating our team in-person and over daily texts. The investment is still paying off for all of us.
My daughter started playing for PVA when she was 10 years old and continued on throughout high school. We had no idea how much she would end up loving the sport or how much volleyball would eventually become part of our lives. Not only did the coaching staff develop my daughter into the player she is today and help her achieve her goal of playing D1 volleyball, but more importantly they played a part in the amazing young lady she has become. PVA was more than just a club to us, they were our volleyball family. She learned just as many life skills as she did volleyball skills. We are so thankful to have had PVA lead us on my daughter’s journey. So many special relationships have been made along the way and PVA will always hold a special place in our hearts. As my daughter would say, “It was the best 8 years and the hardest goodbye.”
PVA Volleyball Club
FAQs
How do I know what age my player competes in?
They age cut off is July 1st. If you are 10 on July 1st, you will have to play U11 for the upcoming season.
What is the difference between Select and Premier?
Premier teams are teams that volleyball is the primary sport. They will prioritize it over outside activities.
Select teams are typically more multi-sport kids and families who don’t want to travel a significant amount.
What is included in the pricing?
The big thing you need to compare in clubs is the travel. Our teams are priced so that all the coaches travel expenses, such as Hotels, flights, and food are part of the fees.
Some teams will have SSA as part of the package which is the Speed/Strength/Agility program Homefield runs so that our players become all around athletes.
Tuesday Training is an hour of position specific Skills training that will run Nov-March. This is not with your team or with your coach, but with other coaches and athletes within the program.
What is additional cost could incur?
Uniforms: Premier and select have different packages
Extra Qualifier: If you team would like to travel to an extra event, 80% of the team must agree.
How long does a typical season run?
Premier Teams will mostly run Nov-mid April with the exceptions of teams who qualify for Nationals, which is early July.
Select Teams are normally done mid-March.
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