San Juan Islands Volleyball: A New Club Team Takes Flight
The San Juan Islands are now home to a vibrant new athletic opportunity for young volleyball players. Thanks to the vision of a Lopez Island family and the determination of Ruby Sausman, the SIVA SJ (Skagit Island Volleyball Academy – San Juan) team has been established – the first all-islands club volleyball team in the region.
Ruby Sausman’s inspiration stemmed from the challenges of competing with Skagit Island Volleyball Academy (SIVA), a well-respected club based in Burlington and north Bellingham, Washington. SIVA, directed by Zach Calles, has a long-standing reputation for developing players who go on to compete at the collegiate level. However, the demanding travel schedule – often requiring frequent overnight stays off-island – proved difficult for Ruby and her family.
“My daughter Ruby played for the SIVA national travel team. But with the practice schedule and all the travel, we ended up living in our RV half the week off-island. We loved the club, we love volleyball, but all of the travel and staying off-island was hard on my daughter with school,” explained Keri Sausman, Ruby’s mother. This experience sparked the idea for a local solution.
Building a Team, Building a Community
Recognizing that other players from Friday Harbor faced similar challenges, the Sausman family began to explore the possibility of creating a team within the San Juan Islands. They reached out to Zach Calles at SIVA, who enthusiastically offered his support. The next step was finding the right coaching staff.
“He was more than happy to help. First we had to find a coach, and that was very easy. Marina Mejaender, who used to coach volleyball for Lopez Island High School, said it would be a dream come true. Then we found Nadine Varsovia, who used to coach volleyball for Friday Harbor High School. She joined us as the assistant coach. Together they are the dream team,” Sausman said.
The response to tryouts in November was overwhelming, with over 40 girls from Orcas, San Juan, Lopez Islands, and even Anacortes participating. This demonstrated a clear need and desire for a local club volleyball program.
“It really showed us that we were doing the right thing by creating this opportunity for girls who would like to play volleyball outside of school sports. So we are the first all-islands SIVA team, SIVA SJ, and the first club volleyball team ever on the islands. It makes me think of that quote, ‘Build it and they will come,’” Sausman added.
More Than Just Volleyball
Beyond athletic development, SIVA SJ is fostering a sense of community and camaraderie among young athletes from across the San Juan Islands. The team provides a unique opportunity for girls from different islands to connect and build friendships.
“One of the best things about playing club volleyball, besides growing as an athlete, is building friendships and community and having belonging. Now girls who would not normally get to play together have an opportunity to build friendships outside of their regular island community, bringing all three islands together,” Sausman emphasized.
The team, comprised of thirteen players, practices twice a week at the Lopez Island School gym and will compete in eight tournaments between January and May, including a season finale in Las Vegas. Tournament locations also include Auburn, Seattle, Ridgefield, and Burlington.
For more information about SIVA SJ and Skagit Island Volleyball Academy, visit skagitislandvolleyball.com.
