Set Point Youth Volleyball League aims to grow game, build community in Perkins County

By Samantha Goff

Grant Tribune Sentinel

A new youth volleyball league is coming to Perkins County this fall, but organizers say their goal extends well beyond wins and losses.

The inaugural Set Point Youth Volleyball League will begin Sunday, Sept. 6, at Perkins County High School, offering league play for third- and fourth-grade and fifth- and sixth-grade teams from across the region.

Created by local organizers Brent and Jana Turner, the Sunday league was born from a simple conversation and a shared vision of creating a positive, development-focused volleyball experience close to home.

“One day Brent just said, ‘Why don’t we do a league in Grant?’” Jana Turner said. “After some discussion with him, it felt like an opportunity to build something that reflected our own vision for youth volleyball.”

While area volleyball leagues have existed for years, Turner said Set Point is intended to complement those opportunities while providing another option for communities looking for organized fall competition.

“We appreciate the individuals who have invested their time and effort to provide those opportunities over the years because they helped lay the foundation,” she said.

As organizers explored the idea, community support quickly followed.

Perkins County Schools agreed to host the league at Perkins County High School, allowing organizers access to both gyms and four volleyball courts. The high school volleyball program also committed to supplying student volunteers to serve as referees, line judges and scorekeepers throughout the season.

“With each conversation, the momentum continued to grow,” Turner said.

Even with that support, which included  backing from the school and director Shawn Cole, launching a brand-new league came with uncertainty.

“I have to admit, I was nervous the day I published our Facebook page and shared the very first registration post,” Turner said. “Anytime you introduce something new, you hope people will embrace it.”

The response exceeded expectations.

Within days, the announcement reached more than 3,000 people on Facebook, was shared throughout the area and generated positive feedback from coaches and families. Turner said registration is already underway, with teams signing up weeks before the school year begins.

The league will feature five Sundays of regular-season play beginning Sept. 6, followed by a single-elimination tournament on Oct. 11. Matches will begin at 1 p.m., a start time organizers intentionally selected to allow families who attend church services to participate before heading to the gym.

“We understand how busy family schedules have become,” Turner said. “Our goal is to provide meaningful competition without requiring families to spend their entire Sunday in the gym.”

Each team will pay a $200 entry fee, with awards presented to the first- and second-place tournament finishers in each division. Depending on participation numbers, organizers may further divide teams by grade level.

Beyond league play, Turner said Set Point was built around four guiding principles: developing every athlete, respecting family time, investing in volleyball and the community, and building lasting relationships among players, coaches and families.

“Our primary goal is player development,” Turner said. “We believe every child deserves the opportunity to learn, improve and enjoy the game of volleyball.”

The league has also been designed to benefit Perkins County High School volleyball. Student volunteers will gain officiating and leadership experience while helping operate league matches, and a portion of league proceeds will be reinvested into the high school volleyball program to help offset expenses. Additional proceeds will support the continued growth of youth volleyball and help ensure the league remains sustainable.

For Turner, the mission reflects Nebraska’s long-standing passion for volleyball.

“As we know, Nebraska is a volleyball state, and I believe it’s our responsibility to continue growing the game,” she said. “By investing in young athletes today, we’re not only helping them become better volleyball players, but we’re building confidence, sportsmanship, leadership and a love for the game. My hope is that Set Point helps strengthen volleyball across our communities for years to come.”

Registration for the inaugural season remains open through Aug. 24. Teams interested in participating can register by scanning the QR code available on the Set Point Youth Volleyball League Facebook page or by contacting organizers at 308-352-6124 or setpointleaguevb@gmail.com.

With community support already building, organizers hope Set Point becomes more than a volleyball league.

“If we can provide a positive experience, help young athletes grow and continue strengthening the game of volleyball in our communities,” Turner said, “then we’ll consider this first season a success.”