Beach volleyball players enjoy a game at sunset on one of the outdoor courts at Tiger Beach in Seguin. Photo by Kelle Sullivan.
(Seguin) – Athletes who enjoy the rapidly growing sport of beach volleyball have a state-of-the-art facility right here in Seguin that offers competitive and recreational players alike the chance to develop and showcase their skills.
The Tiger Sports Complex on Cordova Road created that opportunity earlier this year with the opening of Tiger Beach, an outdoor multi-plex with eight sand volleyball courts, including four under a 45-foot open-air roof, complete with lights, 16 outdoor showers, 10 restrooms, concessions, and a pro shop.
Frank and Kelle Sullivan are the complex’s owners. Kelle, who is also the Operations Manager, says Tiger Beach offers something for every age group and skill level.
“Every night during the week, we have something going on between leagues or open play,” Sullivan said. “On the weekends, you can catch volleyballlive.com and see what tournaments that we’re hosting. There’s opportunity for the young, juniors, junior high, high schoolers through adult leagues, or just adult open play. We have family play on Sundays, which means all ages, from 4-5 year olds through mom and dad can come out here and play, and they do, and have a good time playing.”
The Sullivans hired accomplished beach volleyball veteran Clint Plihal to serve as Program Director at Tiger Beach.
Plihal, a California native, played proffessional beach volleyball in the 1990s. His playing career ended in 2000 when he was diagnosed with a form of muscular distrophy.
Plihal has served as a coach for various clubs in the two decades since. He has coached 12 players who went on to receive Division I or Division II scholarships in the past six years alone.
Plihal’s previous Texas stops include Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio. He’s excited about growing beach volleyball in the Seguin area and the South Texas region.
“They’ve built a facility here that will allow the community to come in and learn a sport that is new to the area,” Plihall noted. “Volleyball is big here, but beach is a different animal. So I think with the complex here, and our growth, even over this short summer that we had, we’ll be able to draw the community in, and be able to give the community the opportunity to learn a different form of volleyball.”
The Tiger Sports Complex continues to run a thriving indoor volleyball organization that serves multiple age groups and skill levels, and a busy CrossFit gym as well.
Running those facilities and coaching the athletes who utilize them fills up most of the daily schedule for Frank and Kelle Sullivan, their daughter Skylar, veteran coach Robyn O’Bryan, and other staff members.
With the addition of Tiger Beach as an annex dedicated completely to beach volleyball, Kelle says Plihal joining the staff has been a godsend.
“He’s an amazing individual,” Sullivan said. “He has so much experience, so much history with the sport itself. He reached out to us, was hoping he could find a home here, and I don’t think we’re ever going to let him leave. He has professional playing experience, he’s grown up in the sport since he was high school age. Just knows everything about the sport, and we hired him to be our new sand Program Director, so he’s pretty much running the show.”
In addition to coaching and teaching beach volleyball, Plihal looks to assist in the recruiting process for athletes who aspire to play in college.
A growing number of players enjoy the indoor and beach versions of the game, and Plihal says playing in the sand can benefit those who primarily compete in the gym.
“Moving in the sand is a lot different, so it requires different muscle movements,” Plihal said. “It makes their speed better, increases vertical, and as far as the volleyball game itself, it will help the players read defensively, and like I said, should be able to help them be better offensive players and defensive players.”
Additional information on Tiger Beach’s daily schedule, leagues, clinics, tournaments, and playing options for various age groups and skill levels can be found on the website texastigersbeach.org.
A group of junior level players go through practice drills on one of the four covered courts at the Tiger Beach complex on Cordova Road.