For many students, leaving high school often means leaving their sports behind, unless they are ready to commit the time to be a Division I athlete. Intramurals offer a fun alternative, but it doesn’t have the same rigor many high school athletes grew accustomed to with regular practices and games. Therefore, enter club sports teams.

Club sports are the “perfect, happy medium between intramural and Division I collegiate sports,” TCU club volleyball vice president Morgan Waltman said.

Waltman, a senior nursing major, joined the team her sophomore year and has served as both president and vice president.

“I used my freshman year to get my feet on the ground and joined my sophomore year,” she said. “A lot of the girls have demanding majors but want to continue to play the sport they love, so this is the perfect outlet for that.”

Something that makes club volleyball unique is players also serve as coaches. The vice president and president coach, make line-ups, schedule tournaments, collect money and play, according to Waltman.

“It’s tough sometimes when you have to make decisions on the starting lineup when they’re your friends,” she said.

The club volleyball team is broken down into an A and B team. The A team travels to compete in tournaments while the B team only practices. Tournaments are held in both the fall and spring.

“Some girls want to compete while others just want to continue to play the game but just want to have fun at practice,” Waltman said.

The common denominator across the whole volleyball team is their passion for the game.

“Joining the team was the best decision ever,” senior nursing major Rebecca Green said. “I love the girls I get to meet. I’m sad that I graduate in December because we have so much talent this year, it feels almost like college ball again.”

Green played Division II college volleyball at Cameron University before coming to TCU. She said the team has been the best outlet to let off some steam in the midst of nursing.

Alanna Carollo, a sophomore business major, is president of the team this year. She is currently recovering from an injury, so she said the transition to coaching couldn’t have come at a better time.

“It’s been great to start young in a leadership position and learn how to run a team and manage finances,” she said.

TCU students have the opportunity to participate in over 20 club sports ranging from fly fishing to table tennis. For more info on how to join a club team, students can check out the University Recreation Center website.