Success Stories
At NorStar Volleyball Club, we're dedicated to creating a positive and enriching experience for our players, coaches, and families. But don't just take our word for it! Dive into real stories and discover why NorStar Volleyball Club is more than just a volleyball program – it's a place where you can belong, learn, and grow as part of a supportive and passionate community.
Parent 1 (Anonymous Survey Feedback on Our Clinics)
Transformative Coaching and Empowerment: Why NorStar is a Game-Changer for Our Daughter. "Our experience with NorStar Volleyball Clinics has been nothing short of exceptional. The moment we walked into the gym, we felt the vibrant energy and the genuine care the coaches have for each athlete. The small group sizes ensure that every player receives personalized attention, and the coaching staff takes the time to address each athlete’s strengths and areas for improvement. What truly sets NorStar apart is the atmosphere of encouragement and growth. Our daughter, who was initially shy and hesitant on the court, has blossomed into a confident and assertive player. The coaches emphasize not just skill development, but also the importance of being vocal, passionate about the sport, and embracing the competitive spirit in a supportive way. The variety in the drills and the thoughtful structure of each clinic keep our daughter excited to return week after week. We’ve noticed significant improvement in her game, and more importantly, she’s found a community that nurtures her love for volleyball. NorStar is more than just a club - it’s a place where young athletes are empowered to excel both on and off the court."
Parent 2 (Anonymous Survey Feedback on Our Clinics)
NorStar’s Impact: The Best Decision We Made for Our Daughter. "Joining NorStar Volleyball clinics has been one of the best decisions we've made for our daughter. The coaches are truly invested in the success and well-being of each athlete, and it shows in the way they interact with the players. The coaching at the clinics we attended was top-notch, with a perfect balance of challenging drills and encouraging feedback. The coaches don't just focus on the physical aspects of the game but also emphasize the importance of mental toughness, teamwork, and leadership. Our daughter has not only improved her skills but also developed a stronger mindset and a love for the game. We are particularly impressed with the level of attention each player receives. The clinics are well-organized with a clear focus on individual development, making sure that no one is overlooked. The positive atmosphere, combined with the high level of coaching, makes NorStar a place where our daughter is excited to grow as both an athlete and a person. We couldn't be happier with the progress she's made since joining NorStar."
Parent 3 (Anonymous Survey Feedback on Our Clinics)
Transformative Coaching at NorStar: Unlocking Our Daughters' Full Potential in Volleyball. "Our daughter's skill level has increased dramatically! Both of our girls are hitters and were not hitting at their full potential. The coaching team at NorStar provided our daughters with actionable feedback to help them become strong hitters and ensure that they developed all skills to allow them to play in all rotations. If you are interested in helping your daughter improve her volleyball skills, you should check out NorStar!"
Parent 4 (Anonymous Survey Feedback on Our Clinics)
Personalized Athlete Development: Why NorStar Stands Apart from Larger Local Clubs. "The NorStar team’s genuine interest in creating a positive, healthy environment for the athletes and investing in individual athlete (and human!) development was apparent from the first clinic we attended. It’s a night and day difference... So happy to have found NorStar!"
Parent 5 (Anonymous Survey Feedback on Our Clinics)
Exceptional Learning and Personalized Attention: Why We Drive from Pacifica for NorStar Clinics. "Our daughter had a great time! She really enjoys NorStar clinics because of the learning opportunities and challenging drills. She’s mentioned how other clinics often have too many participants, making it hard to get a turn with the ball, so we really appreciate the cap on attendance. Even though we live in Pacifica, we make the drive down on Fridays because the 2-hour experience is worth it."
Parent 6 (Anonymous Survey Feedback on Our Clinics)
Prioritizing Injury Prevention and Tailored Feedback: Why NorStar Clinics Stand Out in the Area. "I am impressed that NorStar dedicates time at the end of each clinic for guided stretching. As a parent, I worry about injury prevention and don’t see this emphasized enough in other clubs. We noticed the coaches do not rush their feedback and let the players promptly retry the drill, rather than wait a whole round to get another rep. We also like that the two clinics we attended had some variation. No two sessions were exactly the same."
Parent 7 (Anonymous Survey Feedback on Our Clinics)
Fostering Confidence in Young Girls: NorStar's Unique Coaching Environment. "Not only is the coaching stellar! The environment and energy is so positive. Allowing a space where these girls can be loud, take up space, own the court. This is the hope for my daughter.
A space where not only is she with highly skilled coaches..she is taught to take up space, communicate loudly ...show your passion...and it’s celebrated! I have an introverted kid...teaching her it’s ok to show your passion is something I am so grateful for."
Michelle
Beyond the Game: How Simo Fosters Personal Growth and Inclusiveness. "I am extremely grateful to have been coached by Simo during my experience playing volleyball in high school. His passion for teaching along with mentorship combined to create an extremely transformative experience for a 15 year-old navigating my love for the sport along with life. His knowledge of the sport transcends the court, allowing athletes to become well-rounded individuals and leaders, and I continue to lean on him for guidance throughout my collegiate career and adulthood. Through his mentorship, I have recognized his persistent pursuit for visibility and access to resources for those who may otherwise be hidden under the confines of underrepresentation. As a Nigerian-American coming from an immigrant family, these qualities became extremely valuable in my journey to harnessing the resources around me to maneuver society. Having gone through my collegiate career under several coaches and playing with a myriad of personalities, Simo has served as a reference of a coach with an ability to connect and instill character-building qualities in his players. The world of athletics offers more than scholarships and collegiate opportunities. During this time, players have an opportunity to find and curate their understanding of life. Now that I am on the other side of my experience playing club volleyball, I can confidently say that Simo helped facilitate this process for me and the players around me."
Hillary
From Shy Freshman to Confident Leader: Simo Helped me Reach My Full Potential. "I worked with Simo for about four years and was able to grow so much as a player through his lessons. He truly cares for all his players and offers advice specific to each person. As a freshman in high school, I had the opportunity to play on his 17-1 club team, despite being two years younger than my teammates. He believed in me and the skills he had helped me develop, ensuring I could perform well in this role. Initially, I was worried about feeling out of place, but Simo made sure I was well integrated into the team, allowing me to fit in right away. With individual and group lessons, I saw great improvement even after just one lesson and saw further progression after every class. He not only teaches technical skills, but also allowed me to improve my volleyball IQ and leadership abilities. Initially quite a shy player, I now have great confidence in taking on a leading role on a team and in life. With the physical disadvantages I faced in volleyball (not being the “right height"), I was able to stand out amongst players by having greater technique and knowledge sharpened with Simo’s coaching. There is no question in my mind that without Simo's help, I would not have been able to play at the collegiate level."
Angelina
More Than Just Skills: Coach Simo Builds Confidence and Relationships. "As a coach, Simo is incredibly hardworking and dedicated. He puts so much time and energy into helping his players become the best they can be and to truly grow their game, which has been inspiring to see over the many years I’ve known him. More specifically, in my own experiences with him as a coach, Simo not only helped me to expand my volleyball skills, but to also grow my volleyball IQ and confidence on the court. As a person, Simo is compassionate and loves to crack a good-spirited joke. He is incredibly caring and supportive, and it is so clear that coaching volleyball is more than just a job for him; it’s about the relationships he’s built from it. I’m very proud to say that he has become a large influence in my life, and has helped me to become who I am today as both a collegiate athlete and as a person."
Jordan
Embracing Challenges and Finding My Love for Volleyball Again. "Simo is the true embodiment of a phenomenal coach. Through patience and unwavering support, he has positively transformed my volleyball game. By trusting Simo’s process, I have learned to embrace the challenges behind each and every rep because volleyball is not a static game. This forced me outside of my comfort zone and helped me take more risks in my game. Rather than punishing mistakes, Simo embraced and referred to them as moments of learning. Through his technical expertise, he was able to directly pinpoint areas of improvement for all position groups. Additionally, Simo never let me end the day on an average play. Meaning, I was pushed to make my last rep my best rep. Simo helped remind me why I love and play volleyball. Through his cheering and jokes, he quickly became my biggest supporter, and this is something I have never had in a coach."
Mariko
Technical Expertise & Player Connection: Coach Simo Helped Me Excel in a New Role. "I am a D3 collegiate player at Wesleyan University whom Coach Simo has coached through private lessons over the past few summers. Coach Simo has an incredible ability to connect with players, understanding their unique strengths and areas for improvement. I went to Simo as I transitioned to play 6-ro outside from being a middle blocker my whole career. With his coaching, his technical knowledge of volleyball helped me immensely in changing my hitting technique to fit the needs of a successful outside hitter. Not only this, but before I went to his privates he would always take time to ask what exactly I wanted to focus on to ensure I got my money’s and time’s worth. Simo's programs consistently attract high-caliber athletes and training with other collegiate athletes in his lessons helped to create an environment where I could watch and learn from others while simultaneously receiving feedback from him. I definitely recommend him as an outstanding volleyball coach!"