Unique Performance Volleyball was founded in 2007 by John Sutton, Lindsey Kerbel, & Ben Fisher out of Peoria, IL. The original idea was to have a place where high-performance athletes could get top notch volleyball training from specialized coaches. We have hitter contact coaches, arm-swing mechanics coaches, defensive footwork coaches, setter coaches, blocking coaches & more. Unique Performance is dedicated to improving the individual skills of all of our athletes, both mentally and physcially through sound coaching.

In its first season, Unique Performance Volleyball Club fielded 34 athletes on 3 teams (one 18 & under, two 16 & under) and 4 coaches. Over the past year, Unique Performance Volleyball has contacted some top coaches across the nation, joined forces with an elite club out of Chicago, and partnered with a top-of-the-line fitness and athletic club here in Peoria; all in an effort to expand the availability of our club to all interested athletes. Offering teams in age groups 13 & under through 18 in the 2009 season, Unique Performance Volleyball has become the top club for volleyball athletes looking for age-appropriate instruction and elite level training.

Currently one-hundred percent of our 2008 class at Unique Performance are playing volleyball in college, and many are starting. Unique Performance’s coaches have a great history of being successful on the national and on the individual level, with many of the coaches past players competing collegiately at all different levels, from Division 1 athletes, to players earning their engineering degree while continuing to play the sport they love at the Division 3 level. There is a misconception about club volleyball, we don’t push our athletes to play in college, rather we develop a love for the game of volleyball so powerful, and a determination so strong, that our players dream of continuing to play in college. We just help make that dream a reality for those who seek it.

Unique Performance Volleyball has now been able to expand our team offerings to include Travel & Local level teams. While most clubs are geared either for elite athletes, or for less skilled players, all of our coaches are trained to teach the skills the same way, all while maintaining the core values of our club. We are an Elite club, and we fully expect our local level players to pursue the same high-levels of training as our travel teams. We have many players enrolled strictly to increase their exposure while perfecting their skills for the college level; on the other hand, many players enrolled are just trying to improve their skills in order to make their school’s team. Our new local teams allow players of all skill levels to learn, improve, and progress at a pace they can achieve, all under the instruction of elite level coaches.

Unique Performance Volleyball’s main concern is furthering the development of our athletes both mentally and physically through the sport of volleyball. Our coaches’ mission is to develop character and self-esteem through high-level volleyball training. We expect our coaches and all of our athletes to practice, prepare, and execute to their full potential while incorporating our core values that include discipline, persistence, determination, goal setting, competition, sportsmanship, work ethic, & accountability. Unique’s vision is to create winning teams built upon players who possess strong core values, and who will positively contribute to their team, family, and community now, and in the future. Our players and coaches will always strive to reach the pinnacle of volleyball, and their dedication is what will continue to set us apart from our competition.

Unique Performance Volleyball History

Unique Performance Volleyball Club was originated by John Sutton, Lindsey Kerbel, & Ben Fisher in September of 2007, and registered as a Not For Profit Corporation in the State of Illinois on November 17th, 2007.

In October 2007 we added our Unique Performance Club program, whos' main focus will be to assemble the top volleyball players in the area regardless of age to compete as a type of all-star team, with the main goal of winning championships. These teams wil be coached by only the most experienced coaches in our program, and we will only field teams that we believe can compete at the National level.

In June of 2008, Unique Performance Volleyball joined Club Fusion Volleyball of Marengo, IL as their top sister club. Unique's partnership with Club Fusion will allow athletes of both clubs access to new innovative coaching styles and ideas. Club Fusion has a history of success, and with their help, Unique Performance Volleyball has exciting plans for development of high-performance volleyball athletes in the Central Illinois area.

In July of 2008, Unique Performance Volleyball Club announced they will be fielding "local" teams for the 2009 Club volleyball season. These teams will have a less strenuous practice schedule, and tournaments will be held locally. This program will be geared towards those athletes looking to improve their volleyball skills, but who do not have the time to commit to the "Elite" program.