Volleyball is a fun and fast-paced sport to watch and play. Our two older girls (ages 14 and 11) have enjoying playing the past few years - honing their technique and learning new skills alongside friends.
Now that I spend many hours watching practices and games, I often wish that I had tried out for volleyball in middle school or high school. In fact, I always look forward to the school's "parent volleyball night" at the end of the season. Ask me to play volleyball and I will answer with an enthusiastic "YES!"
For extracurricular sports (whether in club or at school), we have found that DICK's is a reliable place to find sporting clothes, shoes, and equipment. They tend to have everything in one place so you can try on multiple items to get the sizing just right.
Also - read and remember this - the best thing about shopping at DICK's is that that offer a BEST PRICE GUARANTEE. If you find a lower price, they will match it! Don't stop in at your local DICK's and then go home and buy the product on Amazon. Instead, show a store associate the competing price and make your purchase on the spot.
Below we've spotlighted some volleyball-related products. Some of the products were sent to us to try. Other products are ones that we purchased ourselves or were given by family members and friends. Know that I will always provide both the pros and cons of each featured product. I will also edit this page annually with new remarks to ensure that you hear about volleyball products beyond the “honeymoon stage.”
There are only a handful of brands that sell volleyball-specific shoes for women. The most common are: Adidas, ASICS, Mizuno, Nike, and Under Armour. Prices range from $35-$120+.
Volleyball shoes offer supreme traction and grip. They are specifically designed for use on a slick court to keep players from slipping on the surface and to allow for more control when moving and jumping. As a result, the shoes can feel a bit on the snug side.
For Fall 2020, we are happy to recommend three different pairs of shoes with excellent features at several different price points.
For younger players (ages 8-12), Mizuno's Cyclone Speed 2 is a solid volleyball shoe that offers stability, comfort, and cushioning - not to mention ultra-cool style! She'll be confident on the court in these well-made shoes from one of volleyball's most trusted brands. Available in sizes 2, 3, 4, and 5.
ASICS offers moderately priced volleyball shoes for teens and adults. Pictured above is the Women's Netburner Ballistic FF in Black/Pure Silver. This comfortable tennis-style volleyball shoe is offered in six different color combinations so that your girl can sport her team colors (or her favorite colors!).
Serious volleyball players want serious support - and Mizuno brings it with the Wave Momentum, an elite sports shoe with optimal comfort and stability. The higher bootie-style ankle translates to a snug fit to help support ankles in jumps, glides, and dives across the court.
For new players, a volleyball pal or assistant can come in handy. With this apparatus, players can practice serving at home and in the yard - without running after the ball each time. This is also great for small spaces or yards where you might not have room to serve without disturbing the neighbors.
On most volleyball teams, any athletic-style clothing will do for practice - tees, short or long-sleeve athletic shirts, and athletic shorts. In general, shorts are more commonly worn than capris or leggings to accommodate knee pads. Some clubs require or recommend wearing spandex shorts, while school teams (especially in lower grades) may have less stringent requirements.
Whether you're shopping for practice or tournament apparel, ASICS likely has an option for you. The Women's Roll Shot Performance Jersey (pictured above in Navy/White) comes in 13 different colors and is currently on-sale for $19.95.
ASICS also sells knee pads specifically for setters, which offers 7" of protection along with gel technology cushioning.
When we began researching the best socks for volleyball, we came across compression socks by Lasso Gear. Made from a moisture-wicking material, these simple-looking socks hold many surprises. The technical design offers built-in foot, arch and ankle support, which is so important for volleyball players. Both of our daughters reach for these socks first when heading to practice.
If your daughter is a middle or high school volleyball player in need of more chest support, consider ENELL Sports Bras. These innovative bras control bouncing and jiggling - and will allow her to focus on her game. The patented design really does work! Watch the video here to see all of the benefits.
There are two designs - a high impact bra (which is perfect for running, cardio activities, and team sports) and a racerback bra (which offers pretty comparable support, but with a racer-style back). Both are great picks for volleyball!
Mizuno is one of our family's go-to brands for all things volleyball - including clothing. They offer comfortable, well-fitting technical clothing for girls, tweens, teens, and adults.
One of our favorite finds for the fall 2020 season is the Alpha Short - available in both girl's and women's sizes. These flowy, lightweight shorts are super breathable and offer great range of motion, while still providing modest coverage.
Mizuno also offers short and long sleeve jerseys in lots of colors. The Girl's Comp Training Top (pictured above in maroon) is currently on-sale for $15!
If you are searching for the perfect GIFT for a volleyball player, I highly recommend the Momentum Backpack, the best volleyball bag currently on the market (according to my research!). In addition to other features, it has a ventilated pocket for shoes, special hooks to dry out your keepads, and a water bottle pouch.
When it comes to volleyballs, you'll want to consider whether you want a 12u volleyball (which are softer balls designed for younger girls who are learning to play) or the official size. The Mikasa VQ 2000 Plus is an official size ball, designed for indoor tournament play. This highly reviewed ball is made from a soft composite leather and has a butyl bladder, which means it is is easier on the arms while also offering durability.
Stay tuned for more of our family's favorite volleyball products! We'll add more clothes, shoes, bags, and gear as we stumble upon other great products for young volleyball athletes.