Tennessee Athletics Honors April Chapple at Champions Weekend for Legendary Volleyball Achievements

Evolution of a Professional Volleyball Career: April Chapple Honored

From pioneer to inspiration: April Chapple's professional volleyball career comes full circle as she's honored at the Week 3 AUProvolleyball matches in Phoenix

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This past weekend, the world of professional volleyball celebrated one of its trailblazers as April Chapple, the first-ever first-round draft pick in American professional women's volleyball, was honored at the AUProvolleyball match in Phoenix, Arizona on October 18.

The recognition not only highlighted a significant achievement, among many, in Chapple's groundbreaking professional volleyball career but also served as a bridge between volleyball's past and its exciting present and promising future. 

Coach April honored at the AUprovolleyball October 18 match seen here being interviewed on the big screen and live on TV.

People have been asking me about the Volleyball HITTER shirt I wore while being honored and interviewed during the October 18 AUPROVolleyball match. The Hitter-A Player Who Hits Balls You Caould Never Long Sleeve shirt is a show stopper and is available in my ETSY shop. Be sure to sign up for my email newsletter on this site and then click the image to shop for your HITTER shirt on ETSY.

Chapple's journey in professional volleyball began in 1987 when she was selected as the top pick by the New York Liberties in the inaugural draft of Major League Volleyball (MLV), the first American professional women's volleyball league.

The decision to draft Chapple was made by none other than Mary Jo Peppler, an International Volleyball Hall of Fame inductee and Olympian, who served as the Liberties' coach and setter.

"Being chosen first by Mary Jo Peppler was an incredible honor," Chapple reflected. "She was a legend in the sport, and her faith in my abilities set the tone for my professional volleyball career."

The New York Liberties boasted a roster of exceptional talent. Alongside Chapple, the team featured USA Olympic beach player Karolyn Kirby as the other setter and Sandy Aughinbaugh, a formidable left-side hitter.

This combination of skill and experience made the Liberties a force to be reckoned with in the fledgling league.

From pioneer to inspiration: April Chapple's professional volleyball career comes full circle as she's honored at the Week 3 AUProvolleyball matches in Phoenix (Auprovolleyball and LOVB ATL Setter Madi Bugg)

Chapple's impact on the court was immediate and significant. Despite suffering an ACL injury during a match in Dallas that cut short her inaugural season, her contributions were so substantial that she was named to the very first "First Team All-Pro" team (one of two non Olympians named)  for the first Major League Volleyball season. 

This achievement was particularly noteworthy as Chapple and teammate Sandy Aughinbaugh were the only non-Olympians to receive this honor.

"Being recognized alongside Olympians, even after my injury, was a testament to the hard work I put in and the level of play I brought to the league," Chapple said. "It validated my position as an elite level six rotation outside hitter in the professional ranks."

Fast forward to 2024, and the spirit of professional women's volleyball in the United States is alive and well with Athletes Unlimited (AU) Pro Volleyball.

The league, now in its third season, carries forward the torch lit by pioneers like Chapple and her contemporaries.

The AUPro Volleyball match where Chapple was honored took place, Friday, October 18, 2024  during Week 3 of the 2024 season.

The event, held at Arizona Athletic Grounds in Phoenix, Arizona, showcased the evolution of the sport and the continued growth of professional opportunities for female volleyball players in the United States.

The current iteration of pro volleyball features a unique format that sets it apart from traditional leagues.

Athletes Unlimited uses a player-centric model where athletes earn points based on their individual and team performances.

This innovative approach has attracted top talent from around the world, including Olympians and international professional volleyball stars.

Coach April honored at the AUprovolleyball October 18 match seen here with international pro volleyball star Texas Longhorn National champion Khat Bell. April had the opportunity to connect with several current AU players, bridging generations of volleyball excellence.

During her visit, Chapple above seen with  international pro volleyball player Khat Bell who a year ago diversified her professional volleyball career bringing her talents to the United States as a middle blocker on the AUProvolleyball tour and an opposite/middle raising the standards and setting high scores on the Pro Federation League playing in my town for the Vegas Thrill. 

April had the opportunity to connect with several current AU players, bridging generations of volleyball excellence.

She took photos with standouts like former Stanford setter, Maddi Bugg, Texas Longhorn NCAA Champion middle blocker Khat Bell, sharing stories, insights and laughs with Louisville middle blocker Tess Clark from her pioneering days in the sport.

Having a blast talking with Auprovolleyball player middle blocker Tess Clark

Having a blast talking with Auprovolleyball player middle blocker Tess Clark

April sharing stories, insights and laughs with pro volleyball player, former Louisville middle blocker Tessa Clark from her pioneering days in the sport.

One particularly poignant moment came when Chapple reunited with Deitre Collins-Parker, who serves as a team facilitator for Team Member-Meneh in AU.

Coach April honored at AUprovolleyball match on October 18. One awesome moment came when Chapple reunited with Deitre Collins-Parker, who serves as a team facilitator for Team Member-Meneh in AU. Deitre is a three-time All American, a back-to-back NCAA volleyball champion and was the first volleyball player to ever win the Honda Broderick Cup as the best female athlete in college sports.

The two have a rich history, having been teammates on high school club, opponents in college and on various professional teams around the world.

Their connection dates back to their college days when Collins-Parker was winning NCAA championships with the University of Hawaii, and Chapple was making waves as a three-time All-American at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

"Seeing Deitre involved in shaping the next generation of professional volleyball players brings everything full circle," Chapple remarked. "We've come such a long way from those early days, and it's inspiring to see the opportunities available to young players now."

Speaking of having a historical professional volleyball career ....Deitre is a three-time All American, a back-to-back NCAA volleyball champion and was the first volleyball player to ever win the Honda Broderick Cup as the best female athlete in college sports.

Deitre is the assistant coach in the Pro Federation League for the San Diego Mojo team. 

The AU Pro Volleyball league has provided a platform for both established stars and emerging talents.

The 2024 season has seen remarkable performances from players like Brittany Abercrombie, who led all scorers with 1,013 leaderboard points heading into Week 3.

Abercrombie's dominance on the court echoes the impact Chapple had in her day, demonstrating the continuity of excellence in women's volleyball.

Other standout performers in the current season include Dominican Republican Olympian outside hitter Bethania De La Cruz-Mejía, who has earned her league-record 13th stint as a team captain, and Leketor Member-Meneh, who secured her first career stint as a team captain.

These achievements highlight the competitive nature and high level of play in the league.

The format of AU Pro Volleyball, with its emphasis on individual performance within a team context, has created an exciting and dynamic viewing experience.

"Watching these athletes compete at such a high level is thrilling," Chapple observed. "The speed, power, and strategy of the modern game are a testament to how far women's volleyball has progressed."

A Bright Future for Professional Volleyball

As the 2024 season heads towards its conclusion, the race for the individual championship remains tight.

Players like Abercrombie, De La Cruz-Mejía, and Member-Meneh are in contention for the top spot, with each match potentially shifting the standings.

This competitive balance is a far cry from the early days of professional volleyball when the very existence of a women's league was groundbreaking.

The honoring of April Chapple at the AU Pro Volleyball match serves as more than just a nod to the past; it's a celebration of the sport's journey and a look towards its bright future.

From being the first draft pick in a fledgling league to witnessing the thriving ecosystem of professional volleyball today, Chapple's career arc mirrors the growth and resilience of women's sports in America.

Professional Volleyball Career:
Continuing the Legacy

As she stood on the court in Phoenix, surrounded by the current stars of the game, Chapple couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and accomplishment.

Continuing her professional volleyball career as an Auprovolleyball and LOVB ATL Setter April Chapple is clearly tickled to catch up with Madi Bugg who's mom Robin Maine Bugg was her team captain my freshman year at the University of Tennessee Knoxville.

Her pioneering spirit, along with that of her teammates and competitors from the MLV days, laid the foundation for what we see today: a robust, competitive, and inspiring professional women's volleyball league.

The legacy of those early professional players continues to influence and shape the sport.

Their determination to carve out a space for women's volleyball in the professional sports landscape has resulted in increased opportunities, greater recognition, and a pathway for young players to aspire to careers in the sport they love.

As the 2024 AU Pro Volleyball season enters its final weeks, the energy and excitement surrounding the league are palpable.

With each serve, spike, and dig, the players are not just competing for points and championships; they're building upon the legacy of trailblazers like April Chapple, ensuring that professional women's volleyball continues to thrive and inspire future generations.

In the end, Chapple's presence at the AU Pro Volleyball match symbolizes the enduring spirit of the sport—a spirit of perseverance, excellence, and continual growth.

After being honored and giving out the ganme ball on October 18th before the match April Chapple and Auprovolleyball pro volleyball middle blocker Tess Clark having a good ol' time keykeying and comparin'notes!

As the league looks to the future, it does so with a deep appreciation for the pioneers who made it all possible, and with the excitement of what's yet to come in the world of professional women's volleyball.

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