Three hours of driving. One way. Just to attend volleyball practice.

That's the reality for some young volleyball players on the Navajo Nation.

Coach Chijo visits Kayenta, Arizona, to sit down with Andrea Ashkie, director of Velocity Volleyball Club, to learn what it takes to create volleyball opportunities in a community where distance, expenses, and limited facilities present enormous challenges.

Andrea shares how she went from playing volleyball on the reservation to competing at the collegiate level before returning to her community to coach and build a club program.

With coaches volunteering much of their time, families traveling hours for tournaments, and gym space difficult to secure, keeping volleyball accessible requires extraordinary commitment.

Coach Chijo and Andrea also discuss the personal sacrifices of coaching, balancing volleyball with family, and the importance of giving back.

It's a conversation about community, opportunity, and why volleyball is so much more than winning games.

Guest: Andrea Ashkie, Director of Velocity Volleyball Club

Learn more: https://www.velocityazvolleyball.org/

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What can chickens teach volleyball players? Apparently, quite a bit!

Coach Chijo visits longtime friend and fellow coach Hollen in rural Idaho, where a conversation surrounded by chickens turns into a lesson about hesitation, hustle, and the importance of simply going for the ball.

After unexpectedly running a 6 AM middle school volleyball practice, Chijo and Hollen discuss how to get young players moving, why coaches should sometimes talk less, and how game-like training can make practices more effective and enjoyable.

They also explore the balance between teaching technique and letting athletes play, why serving under pressure matters, and why keeping beginners excited about volleyball should be a top priority.

A fun, practical conversation about coaching, learning, and helping young athletes fall in love with the game.

Just Go!

Why aren't more boys playing volleyball?

Coach Chijo sits down with Jake Wu, a high school senior and boys' volleyball setter from Boulder, Colorado, to explore why boys' volleyball hasn't grown as quickly as girls' volleyball and what might help change that.

They discuss the shortage of youth teams, the differences between the boys' and girls' games, serving strategies, the mental challenges of competition, and why some players don't discover volleyball until high school.

Jake also shares his perspective on what makes a great coach, how he handles competition and trash talk, and why volleyball is a sport he wants to play for the rest of his life.

Plus, some encouraging advice for younger boys who are nervous about trying out for their high school team.

A candid conversation about growing the game, coaching, competition, and the love of volleyball.

Just GO!