Haylie Scott is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Dobson High School for AZPreps365.com.

MESA – Dobson’s beach volleyball open courts are giving an opportunity to learn the sport to any student who wants to attend, no experience needed. 

Beach volleyball head coach Brett Travis is offering open courts every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 3:45-5:45 p.m. to any student interested. Travis is volunteering his time to the students who choose to attend.  

Flyer beach volleyball head coach Brett Travis sent out to students. (Photo credit Brett Travis)

Travis emphasized having it open to all students, not just those that have volleyball experience.   

“I’ve heard a lot of coaches will give one-on-one tutoring only to kids who are good at volleyball because they’re trying to get their team built up in order to be more competitive,” Travis said. “But I think that really shuts out kids that may have never had the opportunity to play before. So I really want to give that opportunity to coach and be there for kids who are kind of late getting into the sports world and want to get started on beach volleyball.” 

The open courts will be running from November to January, which is the perfect link for both boys and girls indoor and beach volleyball. Most students there played either indoor or beach volleyball this fall and plan to play in the spring.

Freshman Addie Paice, who was in attendance at the open courts, played girls indoor volleyball this fall and is possibly going to play girls beach volleyball in the spring. 

“Just to get more reps and kind of experience how beach is played, figuring there’s only two people,” Paice said. “And just, like, have fun with people I know and get reps, like I said.”

Senior Derek Wells, who played boys beach volleyball this season, echoed what Paice said as to why he chose to continue to show up to the open courts despite it being the off season for him. 

“I honestly like coming out because I get to play volleyball,” Wells said. “I’ll take reps anytime, anywhere.” 

Since it is the offseason for volleyball, most players will play for a club to still get an opportunity to play. Travis wanted to give the students a chance to get more reps and practice for free, despite it being the offseason. 

“The reason why I wanted to do them is, a lot of our students don’t have the economic means to pay for clubs. And a lot of our competition is against students that do have the economic means to play club,” Travis said. 

Travis is also hopeful that hosting these open courts will convince these students to play beach volleyball either in the spring or the fall next year. Beach volleyball has been an outlet for these students to be able to grow as athletes and make friends. 

“I like coming out because I know a lot of people that I’m good friends with and we play together,” Felix Ventura Ruiz said. 

Travis is optimistic that more students will continue to show up to the open courts throughout the winter and is excited to spread his love of volleyball. These open courts will hopefully continue to contribute to the bright future of the beach volleyball program at Dobson High School.