ALTON - The St. Mary's Summer Volleyball League 2026 marked its 10th consecutive year of offering volleyball opportunities to boys and girls entering fourth through 12th grades at local schools, with 146 players registered this year.
Players in the league came from a wide range of schools, including St. Elizabeth-Granite City, Central Roxana Elementary, St. Mary’s, Holy Family-Granite City, North Elementary, Eastwood Elementary, St. Ambrose, West Elementary, East Elementary, Evangelical, Southwestern Elementary, Trimpe Middle School, Alton Middle School, Medora Intermediate School, Roxana Middle School, Providence Academy-Shipman, Lincoln Middle School-Edwardsville, Southwestern High School, Roxana High School, Alton High School, Marquette High School and Chesterton Academy of St. Louis.
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League sponsor Phil Hamilton said the program began as a St. Mary’s summer volleyball offering for middle school students before expanding over time.
“The league started out as a St. Mary’s summer volleyball program for middle schoolers. Then we added players from other schools. Then it was expanded to elementary school-aged players. We had high school players who wanted to be involved so we added a high school division. I don’t know if I can count the number of players involved over the last 10 years, but it must be hundreds,” Hamilton said.
Hamilton said the league uses a flexible format designed to accommodate summer schedules, allowing players to attend as many sessions as they are able while balancing vacations, camps and other sports.
He said the format also helps players build skills before their school or club seasons begin.
“The players just starting in volleyball play at a more advanced level when they begin their first regular season. The fourth graders really take off if they played some volleyball. For the players at all levels, it is the equivalent of playing an additional season before they start their club or school volleyball,” Hamilton said.
The league also brings older and younger players together in the gym.
“We have older players who assist with the younger ones. The younger players get a chance to play at a more competitive level. The older players can reflect on what they know about volleyball and mechanics and pass it on to the younger players,” Hamilton said.
He added that some player assistants have participated in the program since elementary school.
“Many of our player assistants have been involved with Summer League since they started playing in elementary school. It is gratifying to see their continuing interest in the league. Today’s players and assistants are tomorrow’s coaches,” Hamilton said.
Hamilton said some players have credited the league with helping them make school teams.
“Players have reported back that they didn’t initially make their school team, but after summer league volleyball, they successfully tried out,” he said.
High school players can earn service hours by assisting with the league, and National Honor Society students can also earn credit. Hamilton said the program follows the same open-gym format used at St. Mary’s.
“The league follows the open-gym format that we use at St. Mary’s. We put all players in the gym, even though there is a wide range in age and experience,” Hamilton said. “Studies have shown that proficiency in volleyball comes from repetitions. All drills and games are designed around getting in as many hits as possible within the time available.”
The league is intended to be a reasonable-cost alternative, with total expenses divided by the number of players.
As part of this year’s activities, the league sponsored a round-robin volleyball tournament on two courts at the Wood River Recreation Center. Fourth- through seventh-grade players competed in the Younger Players Tournament, with older players coaching the teams. Players in seventh grade and up then took part in the Older Players Tournament.
St. Mary’s coach Jen Cowan said she values the chance to watch players improve through the summer and into their school seasons.
“I truly enjoy watching the players progress over the summer and into their school season. Many of them are on teams we play against, so that makes for some healthy competition as we get them moving for their middle school and high school seasons. My oldest daughter started in the league when she was entering fifth grade, and she is now a sophomore playing at Alton High and Midwest Intensity volleyball club. My youngest started as a third grader and will play for the St. Mary’s sixth grade team,” Cowan said.
Cowan has coached both of her daughters at St. Mary’s and has worked with teams as they progressed from fourth through eighth grades.
St. Mary’s coach Jill Woodward said the league gives players in the region an early connection to the sport.
“Summer League is a great opportunity for kids in the region to fall in love with the sport of volleyball. It is very rewarding when players return each summer and tell us about where they are in volleyball and how much Summer League has helped them get there,” Woodward said. “The sooner players start with volleyball, the more potential they have in the sport. Youth volleyball is a must.”
Woodward had two children playing in the league this season and has served as both a head coach and assistant for several teams at St. Mary’s.
More information is available on the league’s Facebook page, Summer Volleyball League 2026.
