Now more than ever, students have been playing both club and school sports to maximize their athletic potential.

One student, junior Zach Hanna, has been playing club baseball most of his life. He believes club has offered him opportunities beyond school baseball.

“It’s a dream of mine to play college baseball, and it’s a good way to get seen by college coaches,” Hanna said.

Junior volleyball player Maddie Little also played club to receive more playing time.

“I liked [volleyball] enough to want to play it more than the three months during school,” Little said.

While Little took many things from club, she currently only plays school volleyball.

Senior soccer player Colton Chapman  has an opposing view of club.

“My dad didn’t see a point in me playing club because he didn’t see me falling behind in high school soccer,” Chapman said. “It’s not so much that I would be getting the same level of play and skill for club or high school as much as it was that I wouldn’t be getting worse.”

Senior Alexis Crispin plays on both club volleyball and the school team and feels club has helped her grow most as a player.

“I would not have made it as far as I have [in volleyball] if it weren’t for club,” Crispin said. “I have improved immensely from the coaching and extra hours I have gotten.”

However, Crispin said she enjoys playing on the school volleyball team more than club because there is more chemistry between school teams.

“At school, I know most of the players. On club, you barely know anyone when you start out,” Crispin said. “There is more competitiveness in school because you know about the teams you are going to come up against.”

While Little has enjoyed playing club, she said one of the biggest downsides is how time consuming it is.

“Club is more of a commitment compared to school because you have to travel on top of having three-hour practices,” Little said.

Chapman said that even though athletes play club, it does not always guarantee their success in school sports.

“In my experience, I think the coaches do take into account if an athlete plays club or not, but I have never seen it affect their spot on the team,” Chapman said. “Only their skill determines their spot.”

Hanna also believes placement on school teams has little to do with whether or not the athlete plays club.

“Obviously it is going to affect it a little bit because they have been playing against better teams, but just saying they play club doesn’t have anything to do with them making it or not,” Hanna said.

Overall, Crispin loves the bond the develops between club teammates.

“You really get to know [the players],” Crispin said. “You end up spending most of your time with them.”

Little said one of the benefits of club volleyball is the determination it taught her.

“[Without club], I wouldn’t have my competitive drive I have now,” Little said. “Club taught me how to learn the competition of volleyball.”