‘Metro West’ Volleyball gearing up for 2020 season

Memphis Metro satellite program will field team of local players By Ralph Hardin

ralphhardin@gmail.com Volleyball is on the rise in popularity, and for a number of years the Memphis Metro program has been considered one of the premier youth volleyball club in the region. Many local players make the trip across the river multiple times each week to be a part of the organization.

But as of last year, that commute is no longer be necessary for those who want to get involved in Metro Volleyball but don’t have the time or ability to get to Memphis, thanks to the launch of “Metro West,” a satellite program that operates on this side of the Mississippi.

“To best serve out greater West Memphis community, we formed a Metro West satellite in the greater West Memphis area,” said Coach Jitka Okolicany, Memphis Metro President.

In its inaugural season of competitive volleyball, Metro West played in tournaments in Hot Springs, Memphis, Olive Branch and even Bowling Green, Kentucky.

This season, the Metro West 15U team will be helmed by Coach Jeannie Crader. The club has been making use of the Richland Elementary gym for the past few weeks as practices have already begun.

“We’re small but we’re fast,” said Crader as she put her girls through their paces during practices. “A lot of these girls played last season, and they have played with each other in school ball, so I think we’ll be pretty competitive.”

The Metro West club season will run January through April, concluding with the Delta Regional Championships in Hot Springs.

Expect to see some familiar faces both on the court, with players from local teams, and off the court, with local coaches playing a big part in honing the girls’ skills.

The team also has a 13U training team, meaning the future is bright for Metro West Volleyball.