When Pulse was established in 2014, there were no boys’ volleyball clubs in existence in the inland Orange County region. After many conversations, the Hart family took the leap of faith to start a volleyball club. In the very first year, the club consisted of one boys’ team with eleven players. Over the next several years, Pulse began to grow upwards of 10 teams. Now approaching their 10 year anniversary Pulse is thriving with 33 indoor teams, club alternative training programs, and a successful beach program.
Pulse does not operate to its full potential without the leadership of its directors who are passionate about the game, but also passionate about helping others (coaches & players).
Pulse Leadership Team:
Club Director / Owner: Daniel Hart
Director of Operations: Glenn Henry
Director of Athlete & Coaches Development: Brandon Pank
Beach Club Director: Lila Tucker
Girls High School Director: Rich Camerlengo
Boys’ volleyball is currently one of the fastest-growing sports in the United States. The growth has been fascinating to watch, and Pulse staff have noticed a significant increase in boys joining club volleyball at an earlier age.
“The level of volleyball being played in the U12- U14 division is exceptionally high. It is very exciting to see what the future holds for boys’ volleyball. We are thrilled to see more high schools and colleges adding boys’ volleyball programs throughout the country as well. We will continue to do what we can as a program to help the volleyball community grow to its full potential,” said Club Director and Owner, Daniel Hart.
Pulse believes that school, family, and faith should come before volleyball. However, they want to help athletes understand commitment, time management, and good communication skills, and volleyball is a great platform to help athletes be the best versions of themselves on and off the court.
In 2021, Pulse established a partnership with Open Gym Premier. OGP has earned a reputation for providing quality coaching and innovative, well-organized youth sports events. OGP continues to expand with programs and events across the West, serving over 75,000 players and 10,000 teams annually. Amidst this growth, management remains mission-centric, focused on helping amateur players and teams and revolutionizing the youth sports ecosystem.
Club Director Daniel Hart also operates a non-profit program called North County Volleyball, which is a co-ed youth volleyball league that is ten weeks long. The program has three to four (10 week) sessions per year. North County Volleyball is a great entry point for families that are not ready to commit to club volleyball. This platform allows athletes to get quality training, a uniform, and volleyball competition. There are athletes in Pulse who cannot afford to play club volleyball, so these athletes work at North County to work off some of the club dues. Pulse also has athletes who volunteer to work at North County to earn community service hours.
North County Volleyball also helps educate the younger coaches at Pulse. The training sessions are a great platform to teach the coaches how to teach fundamentals, how to teach kids to love volleyball, and how to manage all of the on-court and off-court responsibilities that come with coaching.
“Most important, North County truly embodies what volleyball should be about. Through North County, we can teach kids to love volleyball, help club athletes work off their club dues, help high school athletes earn community service hours, and help educate our coaches. North County is a fantastic program,” said Hart.
Pulse trains in the same facility where the USA Men’s and Women’s National Teams practice. The club built a weight room in their facility and hired a G-Fit Sports Performance Coach to train strength, speed, vertical jump, agility, flexibility, and explosiveness. The coaches also offer mental performance training.
“Over the past 10+ years of working with athletes, we have witnessed firsthand that you can only perform to your full potential with a sound mind, no matter how talented, skilled, or physical you are,” shared Coach G.
Pulse uses the conference rooms in their facility for goal setting, watching film, reviewing tournaments, and having one-on-one meetings with the athletes throughout the season.
Hart and the leadership team understand the importance of culture. “The learning process accelerates when athletes enter an environment where they are genuinely comfortable being themselves. We have built our culture by hosting coaches clinics, team bonding, banquets, media nights, having a solid social media presence, and providing an awesome uniform package!”
In its second year of operation, the Pulse Beach program has experienced remarkable growth, a testament to its dedicated team and the commitment of its returning players. These athletes have been instrumental in shaping a culture that goes beyond mere sports training; it’s about nurturing individuals who embody values like resilience, integrity, and a relentless pursuit of personal excellence. At the heart of Pulse Beach’s philosophy is the belief that developing great people is just as important as producing great athletes. This ethos is evident in how the program emphasizes traits like a strong work ethic, positive mindsets, and unwavering mental toughness, attributes that extend far beyond the volleyball court and into all aspects of life.
Looking ahead, Pulse Beach is poised to embark on an ambitious expansion plan that includes establishing two high-level training pods—one in Orange County and another in the Inland Empire. These pods will serve as hubs of excellence, providing aspiring young athletes with top-notch coaching, state-of-the-art facilities, and a supportive environment conducive to growth and achievement. Additionally, Pulse Beach is actively working to expand opportunities in beach volleyball on the boys’ side by offering specialized training and collaborating with other clubs to organize competitive events specifically tailored for boys. The program’s overarching goal remains steadfast: to create opportunities for youth in beach volleyball, not only by providing access to the sport but also by instilling in them the values and skills necessary to excel both on and off the sand.
“Lastly, thank you to all the current players, coaches, families, alumni, and the volleyball community for all the support. We are beyond blessed for all the support from so many people,” stated Hart.
Pulse Volleyball (Anaheim, CA) is a member of the Junior Volleyball Association, an organization committed to enhancing the junior volleyball experience for club directors, coaches, players, and fans.
For more information about joining the JVA click HERE. For more information about JVA Awards click HERE. To nominate your club for JVA Club of the Month click HERE.
