Adult Volleyball Club

Volleyball Around Des Moines

WHERE TO PLAY VOLLEYBALL

—  Tournaments, Events / Pick-up Games / Leagues —

OUTDOOR

Tournaments and Events

  • FUTURE Volleyball Madhatter – Clive | May 2024 | all levels
    Just bring yourself to play some sand volleyball from 6 – 9 PM.  The madhatter format involves teams randomly being assigned and changed throughout the night so you get a chance to meet plenty of people as you play.  Sign up at the link above – $15/person.  Proceeds benefit the Iowa AAZK (it’s an animal thing!)
  • Lose 2 and BBQ – WDM | June 15th, 2024 | all levels
    Presented by the DMCVC. Bring a team of 6+ for this double elimination sand tournament at the Sands complex in West Des Moines.  Entry fee includes a voucher to pick up meat at the Fareway a couple blocks away, which you can bring the morning of the tournament and cook up at the end of the day.  Register early for a discount!
  • FUTURE Adult Sand Volleyball Mad Hatter – Ankeny | July 2024 | all levels
    Register as an individual, teams are assigned and randomly changed throughout the play.  Cost is $20-$24, limit of 56 players.  Click the link above and search “Mad Hatter” to find the event on the Ankeny Parks website.
  • FUTURE Coed Sand Volleyball Tournament – Adel | August 2024 | all levels
    Tournament run as part of the Adel Sweet Corn Festival that weekend, raising funds for the ADM High School Volleyball program.  Starts at Noon on Saturday and is $100/team.  Ages 18+.  In Evans Park in Adel.
  • FUTURE End of Summer Mad Hatter – TBD | August 2025 | all levels
    This sand Mad Hatter sponsored by DMCVC will be held in the Des Moines area.  The mad hatter format involves teams randomly being assigned and changed throughout the morning so you get a chance to meet plenty of people as you play.  Cost is $20 and you can lock in your spot by paying via Venmo @dmcvc_org or getting cash to one of the Board Members of DMCVC.  Play generally runs from 9 AM to Noon.  Ages 18+.

Pick-up Games

  • Hawkeye Park – Ankeny | Sundays 1:30 – 4:00 PMish | all levels
    Join the Facebook group for updates and timing each week and on holidays for this sand play.
  • Big Creek Park – Polk City | Saturday and Sunday afternoon | all levels
    Join the Facebook group for updates and timing each week for these sand pick-up games
  • Evelyn Davis Park – Downtown | Sun | unknown
    GRASS ball, Sundays around 6 pm, not sure on attendance or competition
  • Valley View Park – West Des Moines | (coordinated on the fly) | all levels
    Three sand volleyball courts near Jordan Creek Mall.

Area Leagues

  • Sands – West Des Moines | Sun thru Fri |
    Registration for Summer 2024 is open as of February 1st!  Fills up fast!
    With TONS of courts running Sun thru Thu and all skill levels, this is a popular option.

Sand Courts (public and private)

  • Valley View – 3 courts | WDM | public
  • Burke Park – 2 courts | Downtown | public
  • Easter Lake – 2 courts (separate locations) | SE Des Moines | public
  • Hawkeye Park – 4 courts | Ankeny | public
  • Campbell Park – 2 courts | Clive | public
  • Sands – 20+ courts | Des Moines | private
  • Kippys Place – 2 courts | Elkhart (NE of Ankeny) | private
(Note: outdoor is generally May thru Aug)

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INDOOR

(Note: indoor is generally Oct thru April and then people start moving outdoors

Tournaments and Events

  • FUTURE Adult Mad Hatter – Ankeny | (Spring 2024) | all skill levels
    Follow the link and search for “Mad Hatter” to register.  This is a fundraiser for Ankeny parks and rec and generally runs 9:00 am to 11:30 am with a lunch party to follow.
  • FUTURE DMCVC Halloween Mad Hatter – WDM | (usually end of Oct) | all skill levels
    You enter individually and teams are randomly drawn and changed throughout the event, so no need to try and coordinate a team or find subs at the last minute!  This is at (pending) from (time TBD).  Ages 18+, cost is $xx/person.   There are even some fun prize giveaways.  See you out there!
  • FUTURE Ohana Spooky Power REVCO 4s – Grimes | (usually late Oct) | Power (AA, A, and maybe BB)
    This event is a Reverse Coed format, meaning it’s played on a women’s height net and only women would attack at the net (men can still hit 10s).  Tournament runs (time TBD) and cost is $xx
  • FUTURE – AVBA Adult Mad Hatter – Ankeny | (usually Dec) | all skill levels
    This is a fundraiser for AVBA and Ankeny Parks & Rec.  Text 515-418-2989 to register.  Cost is $25 if registered by 9/30/23.  Runs 7 – 9:30 pm at the Prairie Trail Sports Complex
  • FUTURE – 2023 Naughty or Nice Tournament – Grimes | (usually Dec) | all skill levels
    Presented by the DMCVC, this one day co-ed tournament has two divisions.  The “Naughty” division will be competitive – often running a 5-1 or other setup and roughly BB or better level players.  The “Nice” division is recreational for teams just looking to play and get more experience at a beginner to intermediate level.
  • FUTURE Adult Mad Hatter – Ames | Dec 2023 | all skill levels
    This is at SportsIowa.  Costs usually $15.  (Mad Hatter format means you sign up individual (no need to find a team) and players are mixed up on different teams throughout the night.)
  • FUTURE Best O’ Luck Mad Hatter – Grimes | (TBD, mid-March) | all skill levels
    Enter individually and teams are randomly drawn and changed throughout the event.  Points and prizes are awarded by individual based on each of your game results from the day.  Event runs from 9 AM to 1 PM at Ohana Sports Complex in Grimes.  Sponsored by DMCVC

Pick-up Games and Open Gyms

  • RecPlex – West Des Moines | schedule varies | Intermediate
    Schedule posted ahead of each month, nice courts, bring a good ball. Has generally been Intermediate or better level play.  Try to coordinate on Facebook or with friends as participation is low unless people have planned ahead. But the courts are open regardless, so even if you just want to go practice serving on your own you can do that.  (Balls are available, but not in great condition as of spring 2024). Cost is $5 per person
       Mar 2024 schedule:
    12:00 – 2:00 PM:  Mon 3/18, Mon 3/25, Wed 3/27, Fri 3/29, Sun 3/31
    6:00 – 8:00 PM: Fri 3/22, Sat 3/30
    7:00 – 9:00 PM: Fri 3/15, Sun 3/17
  • Ohana – Grimes | Sun / Wed | Intermediate to Power
    Generally Sunday afternoon, Sunday night, and Wednesday night pick-up games. Usually there’s a numbering off to determine random teams.   Fairly consistent attendance but double check Facebook groups if you want to confirm.  Cost is $5 per person.
  • Prairie Trail Sports Complex – Ankeny | (date varies) | Beginner to Power
    Adult open gyms occur here periodically for $5.  Just show up, but coordinating to make sure a few people will be there is always a good idea!
    Upcoming dates:

      (n/a)
  • Rex Mathes Elementary – West Des Moines | Wed night (starting 12/12/2023) | all skill levels
    Open gym runs 6:30 – 10 PM from Dec 12 thru Feb 22nd.  Cost is $2 for residents and $3 for non-residents.  (Rex Mathes is about 12 blocks West of Sands Volleyball Club.)
  • Walnut Creek Campus – West Des Moines | Wed night (12/6/23 – 2/24/24) | all skill levels
    Open gym from 6:30 – 9:00 PM, ages 18+.  NOTE – the first two weeks start at 7 PM!!!  Cost is $5 per person.  Weather hotline: 515-222-3500.  (WCC is about 10 blocks west and 4 blocks north of Sands)
  • Ignit – Grimes | Fri | Beginner to Power
    Generally Friday nights, 2024 schedule TBD – watch Facebook (“Des Moines Volleyball Collective” group) for cancellations due to weather/conflicts. Includes some drills with coaching followed by free play. Beginner to Power skill levels.  Cost is $5 at the door and no requirement to sign up in advance (but you can help with counts by checking Facebook and responding to posts – usually in the “Des Moines Volleyball Collective” group or others). Ignit is east of the corner of 37th and S. James St., enter at the second set of doors away from 37th.

Know of an open gym we can share here?  Drop us the info on Facebook or email info@DMCVC.org

Area Leagues/Clinics

  • DMCVC – West Des Moines | Mondays in the Fall | beginner to intermediate
    Individuals can sign up for this group, which plays weekly and is instructional as opposed to game play.  Des Moines Coed Volleyball Club (DMCVC) is moderated by coaches who provide guidance on skills, rules, strategy and more which are then practiced in various drills.  There is usually some scrimmaging at the end of each night to apply the skills learned.  The fall session runs Oct thru Dec and enrollment is limited.  Next session starts October 2nd 2024 – registration is open now!
  • West Des Moines – WDM | various days | all levels
    League runs Jan thru Apr with Coed and Women’s divisions.
  • Downtown Des Moines – DSM | Sundays | all levels
    Coed ages 18+. Games start January 8, 2022 and played between 4 and 8 PM on Sunday nights at Pioneer Columbus Community Center. Cost is $195/team.
  • Clive – Clive | Mon, Thur | all levels
    League runs Oct-Dec and Jan-Mar.  Fall 2023 registration due 10/2, follow this link to register
  • Waukee – Waukee Middle School | Sun | Competitive and Rec
    Adult co-ed Dec thru Feb.  Sunday afternoons, B (competitive) and C (recreational) divisions.
  • Norwalk – Norwalk | various days | all levels
    Leagues run Oct thru Nov and Jan thru Feb.  Registration is a month in advance
  • Bondurant – Brickhouse Fitness | Oct-Dec on Wednesdays and Jan-Mar on Sundays |
    Leagues run fall and spring (or enter in both for a discount).  Two courts running with net separating.  The 2023 session is $250/team

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WHERE TO WATCH VOLLEYBALL

Iowa State Women’s Volleyball

Drake Volleyball

Grand View Men’s Volleyball
Grand View Women’s Volleyball

Hawkeye Volleyball

ADDITIONAL VOLLEYBALL LINKS

USA Volleyball

Iowa Region USA Volleyball

Facebook groups (some are private so you need to request to join):

Youth Volleyball

  • Ohana Volleyball Club – Club teams, camps, and individual lessons for girls and boys.
  • CIVL – grades 4-8, 7 weeks of play
  • PowerPlex
  • Juniors Beach – a Sportsplex summer sand league in Waukee, 2 v 2, 12U to 18U, runs June thru July