ABOUT PHOENIX VOLLEYBALL CLUB

After nearly 20 years of coaching for various clubs in Florida, Tennessee, and Arizona, I decided there was a need to establish a club that focused on not only the development of the athletic abilities of the athlete, but also a club that could help these athletes learn to manage anxiety, fear, and other emotions that come when being a part of competitive sports.  Phoenix Volleyball's goal is to help athletes be better both physically and mentally.

A little about Coach Van Wicklin ...

Coach Jim started playing volleyball in high school and then played for Middle Tennessee State University and the University of Tennessee!  After college he played beach volleyball for several years in Florida, competing in the Men's and Co-ed divisions.  He was even lucky enough to play (and win) some competitive beach tournaments with his daughter, Faith.

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His love for the game prompted him to become a coach, and he has been training athletes for over two decades!  He has led multiple teams to USA Volleyball Nationals, in which many of his teams have finished in the top 10 in their perspective division.  Several of his teams have also attended AAU Nationals (the largest national championship of any kind), and in 2019 his 15-2's team took home 3rd place.

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Coach Jim has worked with athletes of all levels and has helped them achieve in ways they never thought possible.  In 2020, he took a 3s-level team to a National Qualifier, coming in ranked 83rd overall.  They finished the tournament 9-1 and walked home with 3rd place.  Additionally, he has helped many athletes that have been overlooked by high school coaches find ways to receive college scholarships without even playing for their high school teams. (Fact: In 2022,  one of those athletes helped her college win the D2 National Championship!).  Jim has helped over 64 athletes achieve college scholarships ---  two athletes on our 2022-23 U17 National Team received offers.

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If you ask Jim why he coaches, he will say there is no greater sport than volleyball, and he tries to make every athlete he teaches love it as much as he does.  Jim is also a huge lover of the statistical analysis of volleyball and has helped coach how stats can be substantially helpful in a coach's decision-making.  On top of that, he has spent a large portion of the last two years focusing on anxiety in sports and how to help athletes overcome the fear they develop by playing competitive sports.

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As the father of 3 athletes, he understands the sports experience from all three levels: Athlete, Parent, and Coach.  His daughter, Faith (22) played seven years of volleyball as a libero for both club and high school. His son Christian (20) was a quarterback, ran track, and wrestled.  His youngest son, Cross (18) played hockey and also played as a setter for his club and high school teams.  

Coach Jim is both an AIA and USAV Certified Official.  When not coaching, you can see him reffing club, high school, and even Pro competition.  He has traveled all over the country reffing some of the best volleyball competitions around.  In 2022, he was selected to be one of the two line judges for 3 divisions of the USAV 18s Junior National Championship match.  In addition, in 2022 and 2023 he was selected to be a R1 and R2 for the Girls and Boys Junior National Championships.  Coach jim became a ref to better understand the game for his athletes and has been lucky enough to make  great friends with many  officials all over the country.

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When not coaching volleyball or cheering on his kids, he spends his free time running his embroidery and t-shirt business, Herbie Design.  During his free time, he builds furniture (including most of the furniture in his house).

Degrees:

Bachelors Degree 

Masters Degree 

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Coaching Certifications:

Gold Medal Squared

IMPACT

CAP I, II
NFHS

Official Certification:

Regional 

AIA