Tier One Volleyball & Coach John Senchak Review: What Parents Should Know

Coach John Senchak of Tier One Volleyball Club in Round Hill, Virginia.

In 2023, my wife and I decided to allow our daughter to join Tier One Volleyball Club based out of Round Hill, Virginia, led by Head Coach and Club Director, John Senchak.

Parents will relate that selecting the volleyball club for their daughter can be daunting, and it's not just about finding a club or team that wins games. It's really about making sure our children are in an environment that nurtures their character, confidence and sense of safety, not just their athletic skills. 

We went into the season hoping our daughter would grow in her skills as a player and also grow as a person. Instead, the season and year became an shocking reminder of why it's important for parents like me to evaluate not just the reputation of the team, but to also take the values and integrity of its leadership into consideration. 

We put our trust in coaches knowing they hold a important position and influence on our children's lives. They can influence their behavior, their attitudes and even what is considered or deemed acceptable on and off the court.  A good coach, one that has integrity, leads by example and demonstrates what respect and professionalism looks like to young athletes.

After having direct interactions with coach John Senchak, the owner of the club and the head coach for the team my daughter was on, I quickly realized and was reminded that not every "leader" meets those higher standards. 

Crossing Professional Boundaries

I'll spare you, the reader, the unnecessary personal details, certain behaviors of his that I witnessed during the season, during tournaments and overnight tournament stays and events, which made me question whether John Senchak was upholding appropriate professional boundaries off the court at the hotels where he, the team and the team moms (and dads) stayed. 

From my vantage point and perspective, these were not isolated instances, but instead part of a pattern of behavior that left me concerned about the overall atmosphere being modeled for my daughter and her teammates. It was very disappointing, disheartening, and as a father, deeply unsettling. It still is. 

These club programs that we pay money for our children to participate in shape more than the technical playing skills; they shape their life skills. When team leadership blurs these lines or fails to model the appropriate behavior and off the court etiquette, it creates an unfortunate ripple effect. Parents immediately lose trust, players may get confused and the overall experience becomes compromised. 

In regards to my family, the trust we placed in John Senchak and his leadership was ultimately broken. We were aware that Tier One Volleyball Club had a history of success, but the off-court issues far outweighed all on-court wins in our eyes. 

After the 2023 season, it was an easy decision that my daughter wouldn't ever play under Coach John Senchak again or return to his volleyball club. The entire situation has been difficult for her as well. The decision wasn't about wins or losses, it was soley based on the values and safeguarding the environment she participates in. 

What's my advice to other parents? 

If you're researching and looking for a volleyball club or any youth sports organized team or club, there are a few things I'd recommend checking before committing to one: 

• Research the leadership - who's coaching your child? Look beyond the accolades or trophies, ask them about their philosophy and how they handle player and parent relationships. 
• Reach out and talk to current or former parents. They may be able to give you firsthand perspective and can reveal more than what you can read about them online. 
• Be observant. Watch how the coaches treat the players, the officials and the parents on and off the court - in less formal settings like at the hotel where the events are held. 
• Trust yourself and your instincts. If something feels off or not right about the coach or situation, take it seriously and investigate.

Youth sports and sport clubs should be a place where we can trust our kids will develop athletically and learn about teamwork, self-discipline and integrity. For parents, our responsibility is in choosing the right programs that exemplify these principles. 

My experience with coach John Senchak and Tier One Volleyball Club reinforced that winning at tournaments means little if the club leadership fails to set the right example for my daughter.  

Disclaimer: 

This account reflects my personal experience and opinions from the 2023 season when we had paid to be part of Tier One Volleyball Club, under the leadership of coach John Senchak. Others may have different experiences and opinions. 

Update (12/30/24):  

A 2-year protective order was issued to for my family against John Senchak as a result of several disturbing incidents that have occurred. I am choosing to not disclose the details here.