A5Chattanooga

06/11/2026

Congratulations Coach! We love you and so proud!

Harrogate, TN – Lincoln Memorial University announced on Thursday, June 11th the hiring of Peyton McDaniel as the new head women's volleyball coach. McDaniel, a 2018 graduate of LMU, will become the ninth coach in Lady Railsplitters history.

06/11/2026

Meet the Coaches | 18 Jeff

A5Chattanooga is excited to announce the coaching staff for our 18 Jeff team, led by Head Coach Jeff Schmitz and Assistant Coach Julie Norton.

Jeff is the founder and lead trainer of PolyFace Volleyball Academy (PVA). A former collegiate, national champion, and professional volleyball player, he brings elite experience, technical precision, and a positive coaching style to every athlete he works with.

Jeff played collegiate volleyball at Ball State University before continuing his career at UC Irvine, where he was part of a national championship program. He also coached at UC Davis, giving him valuable perspective from both the player and coaching sides of the collegiate game.

Julie Norton brings more than 22 years of coaching experience across the high school, middle school, and club levels. She is the founder and head coach of the Coahulla Creek High School volleyball program in Dalton, Georgia, and has been a valued member of the A5 family for six years. During her time with A5, Julie has coached athletes at the 11s, 12s, and 15s levels, helping players develop their skills, confidence, and love for the game.

Together, Jeff and Julie bring an exceptional combination of playing experience, coaching expertise, and passion for athlete development. We are excited to see the impact they will have on our 18s athletes this season as they prepare to compete at the highest level.

06/07/2026

Ella May Powell is Coming to Chattanooga!

We are excited to welcome Ella May Powell to Chattanooga on June 17 for a special evening with our A5Chattanooga athletes and families.

📍 Baylor School
🗓 June 17, 2026

✍️ Autographs & Q&A
7:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Open to all A5Chattanooga families

🏐 Athlete Clinic
7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Open to all current A5 Chattanooga athletes who are in season and all A5 Chattanooga players ages 14 and older

Ella May currently plays professionally for LOVB Atlanta and is a member of the U.S. Women’s National Team. A former All-American setter at the University of Washington, she has competed at the highest levels of collegiate, professional, and international volleyball.

Thank you to LOVB and Ella May for investing in our athletes. We are excited to bring this special opportunity to Chattanooga and can’t wait to see our A5 family there!

06/05/2026

A5Chattanooga Training for Tryouts is Here!

Tryouts may still be weeks away, but the work to prepare starts now.

Our June Training for Tryouts sessions are designed to help athletes sharpen their skills, build confidence, and get quality reps before tryout season arrives. Whether you’re returning to A5 or interested in learning more about our club, this is a great opportunity to get in the gym and continue your development.

At A5Chattanooga, we believe growth happens through consistent work, quality coaching, and a commitment to getting better every day.

Don’t wait until tryout day to prepare.

Train. Improve. Compete. Earn It.

For information on summer programming, Training for Tryouts, and upcoming tryouts, check your email, check out the website or contact A5Chattanooga.

06/05/2026

College Coaches Showcase | Birmingham, AL

Another opportunity to compete, learn, and be seen.

These two A5Chattanooga athletes spent the day in Birmingham working in front of college coaches, gaining valuable experience and exposure while continuing their volleyball journey. Events like these give players the chance to showcase their skills, receive feedback, and learn what it takes to play at the next level.

Keep chasing your goals and representing A5 the right way.

06/03/2026

Our A5 Chattanooga athletes are spending the day at the STARS Carolina College Coaches Clinic, learning from college coaches, competing at a high level, and continuing to invest in their future.

Great opportunity to be seen, be coached, and keep growing in the game. Have fun, work hard, and represent A5 well!

05/31/2026

As June approaches and information meetings begin for the upcoming club season, we encourage every family to do their research and ask questions.

Every year at tryouts, we hear stories like:

• “If you play for A5, you can’t play for your school team.”
• “Another club made us commit before we even left the building.”
• “My daughter is playing two or three age groups above her actual age.”

It’s unfortunate that misinformation and rumors continue to circulate, but we know these are conversations families are having.

Our advice is simple: attend the information meetings, ask questions, compare options, and make the decision that is best for your athlete and your family.

At A5Chattanooga, tryouts matter. No team is selected before the process begins. We believe athletes deserve an opportunity to earn their spot and be evaluated fairly. After all, why have tryouts if the decisions have already been made?

Club volleyball is an important investment of time, energy, and resources. Every family’s situation is different, and there is no one-size-fits-all answer.

Put the kids first. Gather the facts. Make the choice that best supports their development, experience, and love for the game.

05/31/2026

Baseball & Volleyball. Summer & Memories.

16 Aaron wrapped up the season with a team outing at the Chattanooga Lookouts. A great chance to relax, laugh, and celebrate a season filled with growth, friendships, and plenty of volleyball.

The matches may be over, but the memories and relationships will last long after the final point.

Thanks to our players, coaches, and families for a great season!

05/31/2026

Top 5 Finish at Southern Exposure! 🔥

17 Peyton battled through one of the toughest tournaments of the summer and finished 5th overall at Southern Exposure.

Proud of this group for the way they competed, stayed together, and continued to improve throughout the weekend. The results are great, but the growth and fight shown by this team may be even better.

Keep building. Keep believing. Keep working.

Great job players, coaches, and families!

05/31/2026

Gold Bracket. Championship Match. Runner-Up Finish. 🥈

13 Jennifer put together a tremendous weekend at Rally Rumble, earning a 2nd Place finish in Gold.

Lots of great volleyball, lots of growth, and plenty to be proud of. Congratulations players, coaches, and families!

On to the next one.