360 Volleyball Club Makes History as First All-Black Team at USA Girls Junior Nationals

History was made in Indianapolis this past June, and it started in Arlington, Texas.

Clarence Nevels founded 360 Volleyball Club as a training ground for young athletes in the DFW area. In the past year alone, the club has grown to 50 teams using its practice facility, drawing in girls whose primary passion was other sports — many of whom have since fallen in love with volleyball.

This season, Nevels' 17 High Performance Elite team accomplished something no club team had ever done before. The group earned a bid to the National Division of the USA Girls Junior National Championships — and in doing so, became the first all-African American team in history to qualify for the Girls 17 National Division.

The road to Indianapolis wasn't straightforward. The team frequently had to compete in the open division during qualifying tournaments, meaning they needed to win four games just to reach the main draw. They did it repeatedly, finishing the season 28-14 and embodying the aggressive, gritty style of play that defines Nevels' program.

When they stepped onto the court at nationals, the 360 girls carried more than a winning record. They carried the weight of a milestone — not just skilled volleyball players, but role models and trailblazers for the next generation of young athletes who look like them.