As one of Vegas's most experienced personal volleyball coach, April Chapple is known for producing powerful, passionate peaceful prep players with college style drills.

"Volleyball at high levels is as much a mental game as it is physical. I focus intensively on: -developing mental toughness -strategic thinking and forecasting -the ability to perform under pressure ...skills that are crucial for success in college volleyball and beyond." (Personal volleyball coach, April Chapple)

What sets my college-prep style of coaching apart from other Vegas' trainers is that I also focus on the mental aspect of the game with my clients. 

As a player I was not always the tallest, and I taught myself how to use speed to my advantage.

But one thing I really worked to be was the smartest and the most emotionally stable not letting mistakes get to me. 

Those are additional types of volleyball lessons I am qualified to pass on to my clients.

Volleyball at high levels is as much a mental game as it is physical. I focus intensively on

• developing mental toughness
• strategic thinking and forecasting
• the ability to perform under pressure

– skills that are crucial for success in college volleyball and beyond.

Every summer, current college players return to train with me, trusting that I'll have them ready for their upcoming season.

It's my hands-on experience with college-level players and continuous exposure to collegiate volleyball that keeps my training cutting-edge and relevant.

As a top personal volleyball coach who is known for my college-prep style of training in my volleyball sessions, I go beyond the basics.

Here are some of the advanced techniques and strategies I focus on with drills that simulate college play:

1. Rapid Fire Setting:

Setters must deliver accurate sets from anywhere on the court, often off imperfect out of system passes. These up tempo drills hone that skill under pressure.

2. Multi-Directional Defense:

Liberos and defensive specialists train to cover more court with less time to react, mirroring the expanded responsibilities in college play.

3. High-Tempo Offense:

Hitters learn to approach and hit off various sets at the accelerated pace typical in college matches.

4. Advanced Serve Receive Patterns:

We work on advanced serve receive formations that allow for more aggressive offensive options, similar to what you'd see in top college programs.

5. Sophisticated Blocking Systems:

I teach a range of blocking techniques, from swing blocking to advanced read blocking, preparing players for the speed and complexity of college-level attacks.

6. Dynamic Offensive Systems:

We practice fast-paced offensive plays that incorporate multiple attack options, training players to make split-second decisions under pressure.

7. Position-Specific Technical Refinement:

Whether you're a setter working on misleading the blockers or a middle blocker perfecting your slide attack, we dive deep into the technical aspects of your specific position.

These drills aren't just theory – they're proven effective.

Many of my players report feeling over-prepared when they hit their first college practices, a testament to the intensity and thoroughness of preparing my players during my Breakfast Club for College Players training. 

Being a successful personal volleyball coach in Las Vegas means preparing players for more than just on-court success.

I focus on what college volleyball coaches look for like:

1. Physical Conditioning

College volleyball demands peak fitness which is why the collegiate volleyball athletes who are home for the summer already participate in their own strength training regimen that their college coach requires them to follow.

To supplement their strength and conditioning summer program, my summer training program follows in that vein by establishing drills that require increased footwork speed, improved spike jump technique, consistent ball flat hand to the ball serving technique, and focusing on strong shoulder use when repeatedly pressing over the net when blocking.....all of these aspects and others like them are integrated into each of the basic six skills players need to perform in a way that builds the stamina and strength needed for collegiate play. 

2. Mental Resilience

I practice mindfulness and stress management techniques to help you perform under pressure.

I talk to my clients about what makes them nervous in very specific moments and situations in matches and we work specifically to address those issues often re-enacting those moments in our sessions. 

3. Time Management:

One of the biggest aspects of entering collegiate sports that incoming freshmen have to adapt to is managing their time because their schedule and student athlete requirements instantly change the minute they step onto campus.

When most collegiate student athlete schedules look something like the schedule below being able to manage your time so you fit everything in is a priority. 

Strength/Conditioning             5am -6:30 am or                                                                6am-8am

Class One                                  8:30 - 9:45

Class Two                                  10:15 - 11:30

Lunch

Serve/Pass or Video                1:30 - 2:30

Class Three                                TBD         

Practice - 3 hours                     4-:6:30 or 5-7:30

Dinner

Study Hall/Tutor

This is type of schedule is usually a far cry from what a high school student athlete is used to, so adapting quickly to being able to manage your time and stick to the schedule everyone else on your collegiate team has to stick to is super important. 

(Note in the scenario above I didn't even mention time to study and complete class assignments or meet with tutors which should be a priority as well.)

Being able to balance volleyball and academics is crucial in college, especially for those who have earned academic and/or athletic scholarships. I often discuss strategies with my college players home for the summer who request mentorship on this subject on how to excel in both arenas.

The true measure of a top personal volleyball coach and college volleyball prep trainer is in the success of their players.

Here's what some of my athletes have accomplished:

I introduced 14 year old Kami Miner starting setter on my Volleycats Elite 17s team and 3 year private training client now the 2022 Pac 12 Setter of the year at Stanford...into her first USA High Performance tryouts and she advanced through the pipeline all the way to winning a the United States first gold medal for the Girls Youth National Team in Egypt.

Numerous players I've coached have gone on to play at top collegiate programs, with some even pursuing national team and semi-professional careers. Kami Miner Pac 12 Setter of the Year former coach April Chapple private client, Boot Camp class and Breakfast Club 3-year player

                         Tommi Stockham                                            First Team All Big West                  Conference Team

Private Volleyball Lessons Client 3+ Years

Taking private volleyball lessons with me is a positive experience because the drills/exercises we do in my volleyball class, are usually done at a faster pace so players get more touches and repetitions on the ball and are use to playing at varsity and when necessary college speed levels.

                                Kate Prior                                                 All West Coast Conference Team                                     Honorable Mention 

       Private Volleyball Lessons Client 3+ Years 

Taking volleyball lessons with me is a positive experience because my lessons help defensive and offensive players visualize, develop and identify realistic volleyball playing goals.

These success stories aren't just about athletic achievement.

Many of my players report feeling more confident, resilient, and prepared for all aspects of college life thanks to our training.

As a top personal volleyball coach in Vegas Coach April Chapple knows exactly who she wants to work with and why. "Its very important for serious goal-oriented athletes to know who they want to work with and why. That's why I've done an enormous amount of goal -setting and journaling all through my career so I can hold myself to high standards initially as a professional volleyball player and as a Vegas volleyball coach in order to hold myself accountable."

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