Texas Tornados

If you are looking to improve yourself or your young athlete in Volleyball, the Texas Tornados Organization is committed to developing, training, and performing to achieve the highest level of the athletes capabilities. The hard work and dedication of our staff and associations have resulted in being recognized as one of the finest volleyball programs in the United States. Below is a typical development cycle for Texas Tornados athletes. Our program develops young volleyball players from kindergarten to their high school years following a methodology that takes into account their maturity level and capacity to learn. The next step for the athlete is college recruitment, and that is where recognition as a top volleyball organization in the country becomes important.

Here is what is being said nationally:

“I was getting about 3 letters a week from colleges,” said Brionne’, a DeCaney High School senior to be and player on the prestigious Texas Tornados Volleyball Club. (Tektonic Sports Performance News)

"Longhorn Volleyball makes Ashley Bannister their latest recruit ... Bannister credits Texas Tornados club coach Kara Waddell with helping her."

"The 2010 Razorback volleyball class includes Haley Koop ... Koop has been a member of the Texas Tornados top team since the 12's level. Her club team won two bronze medals (2006, 2007) in the National division of the Junior Olympics. Those same teams were also recognized as Lonestar Region high performance teams. Koop helped lead the Texas Tornados to a 17th-place and fifth-place finish in the Open division of the Junior Olympics as a sophomore and junior, respectively."

History

Texas Tornados have become recognized as one of the premier club volleyball organizations in the United States. Founded in 1995 by JoEllen Kliafas, the Texas Tornados organization is known throughout the sport of competitive volleyball for producing some of the nation’s best teams and top athletes that feed into our collegiate programs. With almost 300 club athletes, the Tornados are the largest volleyball organization in the greater Houston area, and one of the larger clubs in the nation. Its success stems from the knowledge and expertise of the Tornados staff of over 40 highly qualified coaches, trainers and specialists, the Tornados organization is one that provides the best that volleyball has to offer. From the onset, Tornados knew that to produce top-level teams, and to advance players at all levels, it was necessary to develop and institute a comprehensive and systematic program. A program that continually stresses the fundamentals in motivation, team concepts and sportsmanship, while providing a building block approach to skills development that challenges and cultivates young athletes as they mature physically and emotionally. This standardized approach is utilized throughout the organization, and has become a trademark of the Tornados success. Regardless of the coach or the team, all athletes receive the same high level of training, thereby producing top performance throughout the entire club. Texas Tornados started their first season with four teams and quickly grew to 28 teams through a merger with Westside Volleyball Club and the strength of coaches and athletes that we provide each year. As our club grew the demand for more gym space became an issue. Texas Tornados was operating out of four locations by 2001 and was in need of our own facility. In 2001 Texas Tornados purchased seven acres of land and went from bank to bank for three years trying to secure a loan to build our future home. In 2004 our dream finally came true, and Texas Tornados Training Facility was established, thanks to the persistence, hard work and dedication our Board of Directors. In December of 2004 Tornados opened the door to their 8 court, 56,000 square foot building to the public. Greater Houston Volleyball (dba Texas Tornados Volleyball Club) was formed as a Texas non-profit corporation, and qualified as a tax exempt 501(c)(3) organization as determined by the I.R.S., by current President JoEllen Kliafas. Texas Tornados Volleyball Camps (dba Texas Tornados Training Facility) was established in 2001 as an S-Corporation, and is a for profit organization.