Carolina Union Volleyball Club was started in 2001 by Carrie Powell as a way to provide more opportunities for young women to play the sport. Starting with just two teams and operating out of high schools, CUVC grew to 12 teams in 2012 before John Brannon took over as Director and the club opened its first training facility. During the first three years with Tara Spurgeon (Business Manager, now Executive Director) as the only full time staff member, CUVC quickly outgrew their space, and in 2016, moved into their current facility that holds 6 courts and a weight room. Spurgeon has been an integral part of the fabric of CUVC. Abbi Hayes joined CUVC as the training director in the spring of 2017, and since then CUVC has seen its National Rankings rise, as well as its results in National tournaments. The club has grown to nearly 50 girls and boys teams and has built its reputation on the ability to train individual athletes to be relentless, to be technically sound, to be gritty, and to compete at the highest level.
CUVC’s goal is to help each of its athletes reach their NEXT. CUVC has earned nine Open Bids in the last 6 years (3 boys and 6 girls), sent 180+ players to play at the collegiate level since just 2018, and is the top ranked club in the greater Charlotte region. A training centered club, CUVC emphasizes development and fundamentals in all its travel teams, camps, and clinics that take place in the only full-time volleyball facility in Charlotte.
Each year, CUVC’s boys program has improved by offering high level, year round training for all levels. The six travel teams compete December to March in the Appalachian Boys Power League and events in the southeast, break for the high school season, and pick back up in May, ending the season at AAU Nationals in Orlando.
Each year CUVC seeks to do one or more service projects to help their community. This year, CUVC teams participated in supporting families alongside the HEARTest yard, a foundation started by Greg Olsen, to support families whose children have congenital heart defects and have to spend weeks or months in the hospital. CUVC teams provided for 20 families for needs ranging from Christmas gifts for their children, to toiletries, to family needs (cooking supplies, silverware, car seats, clothing, etc), and more. In addition, CUVC supported the Restoration Place Church that is located in the same warehouse park to provide space and logistical support for their annual single-family Christmas mall. This mall allows single parents to purchase gifts for their children at reduced prices.
On the court, CUVC master trains the majority of the time, allowing its athletes to develop their skills year-to-year under the guidance of training director, Abbi Hayes, as well as other top coaches in the gym. We almost always have extra staff at each practice, which allows the club to provide support and guidance for the coaches and athletes when necessary. The club employs a full-time Recruiting Coordinator, David Cruise, who regularly meets with the athletes of recruitable age in groups and 1-on-1 to help them navigate the college recruiting process. In Addition, CUVC has a leadership council which allows players with leadership skills to help plan and direct events like sister team nights and the annual awards night.
Each year CUVC holds an Awards Night and Senior Signing Night. The club gives out awards for submissions from athletes for best kill, best rally, best defensive play, best block, etc. In addition, CUVC gives out the Relentless Pursuit Award, honoring an athlete who has been with CUVC for many years and has had an extraordinary impact on the club. At the end, they honor the seniors who are given a tile to sign with their future college logo that will hang on a wall at CUVC in perpetuity. There are over 350 attendees each year, and it is a wonderful celebration of the year!
CUVC’s immediate goals for the future are to continue to expand its K-5 and middle school programs, allowing for more onboarding opportunities for young athletes. CUVC is also focused on continuing to compete at the highest levels in the country.
“CUVC would not be where it is today without the work of its coaches and staff who have dedicated themselves to the success of CUVC,” said Director John Brannon. “In addition, the dedication of our families over the years to the mission and success of CUVC has been instrumental in CUVC becoming a Nationally recognized brand. We are more excited for the future of CUVC than we have ever been!
Carolina Union Volleyball Club (Charlotte, NC) is a member of the Junior Volleyball Association, an organization committed to enhancing the junior volleyball experience for club directors, coaches, players, and fans.
View more about joining the JVA. View more about starting a boys volleyball point series. View more about JVA Awards. Nominate your club for JVA Club of the Month.
