A new volleyball club in Bloomington-Normal is making noise by providing an opportunity that U-High and other local high schools have been missing for quite some time , boys’ volleyball. Normal Flight Volleyball Club, which was founded in late August by Aimee Biles, is striving to give male athletes of all skill levels a place to play and develop their passion for the sport.
Biles, a Bloomington High School graduate and former multi-sport athlete, realized the need for more volleyball opportunities, particularly for boys, after returning to the area. Originally, she had intended to focus only on girls teams, but after noticing growing interest from boys she decided to include them in her plans. “I feel like my passion for volleyball intensified after playing Rugby in college,” she shared. “Volleyball is such a fast-paced sport that requires an athlete to move forward and focus on the next objective immediately. There isn’t time to dwell on the last point, which is something I appreciate about the game.” Her vision for Normal Flight is not only about playing but creating a positive and safe environment for athletes in the community. “I decided to start Flight to contribute to the overall community. My coaching philosophy is drastically different from other clubs in town, so creating a club was really the only option,” she explained.
Joe Zacharias, the girls’ 15U Normal Flight team coach, previously played volleyball in the Chicago area, where boys’ volleyball holds a stronger presence. “Playing volleyball was a passion of mine, so being a part of the coaching staff in this organization is something I feel I can do to help bring the passion I had to other young kids,” he said. Through his coaching, Zacharias hopes to not only teach the technical skills of volleyball but also build teamwork, discipline, and confidence in young athletes. He sees Normal Flight as a much-needed opportunity for boys in the Bloomington-Normal area to finally experience competitive volleyball without having to travel long distances.
This opportunity is extremely important for U-High students interested in volleyball. Bryse Boester, a U-High student, shared why he joined Normal Flight and what he enjoys about the experience. “I started playing because my dad played sand volleyball, and I enjoyed playing in P.E. A few years back, UNO VBC tried to make a club here in town, and that’s when I really got into the sport,” he explained. “I enjoy the team aspect and all of the friends I’ve made. It’s really fun to play another sport just for fun.” Boester also sees the potential that a U-High team would have for the sport to grow locally. “I think male volleyball at U-High would start small, but eventually, more people would come out to try it. There aren’t many volleyball teams in central Illinois; most are near Chicago. If we had a team at U-High, the sport could grow here and spread throughout Illinois.”
While there were some road bumps at the start, more players had started to drop in and now they have enough participants for full teams. The teams practice at Game Time Gym II twice a week. However, they are always looking for more inspired athletes to join them as they believe it is important for all young boys and girls to play the sport they love as well.
As the future of Normal Flight continues to take shape, Biles is focused on long-term sustainability. “Flight is here for good. Every decision I make is based on what’s truly best for these kids and our community,” she said, hinting at exciting growth ahead. “I can’t announce what that solution is right now, but I can confirm that Flight will continue to grow!” With a foundation focused on developing a love for volleyball and creating new opportunities for local athletes, Normal Flight Volleyball Club is creating the next generation of volleyball players in Bloomington-Normal.
