By Layne Volleyball Club is a Northeast Ohio girls volleyball program based out of Splash Zone in Oberlin, Ohio. Founded by McKennzie Mendeluk with a mission to develop young women both as athletes and as individuals, Layne VBC has quickly built a coaching staff of 13 and fields 15 competitive indoor teams across the 11–18 age divisions through the Ohio Valley Region (OVR).
If you’re a parent in the Oberlin, Lorain, or Medina area evaluating club volleyball options for your daughter, this review covers everything you need to know — coaching staff, programs, costs, tryout process, pros and cons, and who the club is genuinely best suited for.
Quick Overview — Is Layne Volleyball Club Worth It?
For developing players aged 10–18 who want a family-oriented, development-first environment in Northeast Ohio, Layne VBC is a strong choice. The club stands out for its large, diverse coaching staff, multiple training formats, and genuinely community-driven culture. The main caveat: as a newer club, its OVR licensing status is something to verify before committing, and the no-refund policy means you should be certain before signing up.
Our Score: 7.5 / 10
About Layne Volleyball Club
Layne Volleyball Club was founded by McKennzie Mendeluk, who serves as both head coach and CEO. The club’s stated mission is to “equip young women with the necessary training to excel as volleyball players and individuals” — a values-first philosophy that runs through the entire coaching staff.
The club is registered with OVR (Ohio Valley Region) under Club ID #1395 and competes in both Regional and American divisions. With 15 indoor teams spanning ages 11–18, it offers enough team slots to accommodate players at various skill levels, from beginning competitive players to those aiming for high school and collegiate pathways.
- Location: Splash Zone, Oberlin, Ohio
- Service Area: Oberlin, Lorain, Medina, and surrounding Northeast Ohio
- Age Groups: 10–18 (Girls)
- Season: Junior Olympic (JO) Club Season + training year-round
- Contact: (216) 299-2327 | Laynevolleyball@gmail.com
Coaching Staff
One of Layne VBC’s biggest strengths is its 13-person coaching roster — unusually large for a regional club of this size. The depth of staff means more personalized attention across age groups and practice sessions.
McKennzie Mendeluk — Founder & Head Coach
McKennzie built Layne VBC from the ground up with a philosophy centered on integrity, discipline, and dedication. Her goal is to “revolutionize” the coaching approach in Northeast Ohio with a focus on structure, personal growth, and athlete development beyond the court.
Assistant Coaches
- MaKenna Gonzales — Over a decade of volleyball experience, passionate about building great memories alongside skill development
- Tiara — 11 years of volleyball (DS/Libero background), currently studying cybersecurity at the University of Akron; brings a student-athlete mindset to her coaching
- Ava Jackman — 12 years of experience, emphasizes teamwork, resilience, and lifelong love of the sport
- Aliyah Thomas (Liyaah) — Third-year coach, creates a positive and competitive family-like environment
- Ariyana — A Layne VBC alumni who helped develop the regional program; second-year coach
- Jesse — Setter and DS/Libero background, focuses on confidence-building and skill refinement
- Kelly — First-year coach with emphasis on life skills, teamwork, and communication
A recurring theme across the coaching staff is building a family-like atmosphere — multiple coaches independently describe their goal as creating an environment where players feel safe, supported, and motivated to grow.
Programs & Training Options
Layne VBC offers more training formats than most clubs at its level, which gives families flexibility to choose the right level of commitment and investment.
Competitive Club Teams (JO Season)
The club’s primary offering is its 15-team competitive roster through OVR, competing across Girls’ 11 Co-ed through Girls’ 18 divisions in both Regional and American brackets. This is the full-season club commitment for players who want to compete in tournaments.
Individual Training Subscriptions
For players who want one-on-one development alongside or between seasons:
| Package | Sessions | Cost | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | 4 sessions/month | $275 | 3 months |
| Mid-Tier | 6 sessions | $400 | 6 months |
| Intensive | 8 sessions | $500 | 6 months |
Individual sessions are fully personalized and scheduled around the athlete’s availability.
Group Training
Group sessions run Tuesday and Thursday evenings at Splash Zone, split by age group:
- 13u–14u: 5:00–6:00 PM
- 15u–16u: 6:00–7:00 PM
- 17u–18u: 7:00–8:00 PM
The 6-girl group package is priced at $225 for 3 weeks (6 sessions total — twice weekly). The Pink Group package offers 14 sessions for just $90, making it one of the most accessible entry points in the region.
Additional Programs
- Positional training (skill-specific development)
- Open gyms
- Seasonal camps and events
Tryout Process & Fees
Tryouts at Layne VBC are straightforward but require a few steps to complete registration:
- Create a parent/guardian account on SportsEngine
- Add your athlete and complete the online tryout form
- Pay the $15 tryout fee online
- Purchase an OVR Membership ($10) via SportsEngine — required unless your athlete played JO volleyball in the 2025–2026 season
- Bring your USAV/SportsEngine Membership Card (paper copy or email to Laynevolleyball@gmail.com)
Verify the correct age division at OVR.org before registering. Important: No refunds are issued at any time, so confirm dates and commitment before paying.
What We Loved
What Could Be Better
Who Is Layne Volleyball Club Best For?
- Best for: Players aged 10–18 in the Lorain County / Northeast Ohio area who want a structured competitive program in a supportive, family-first environment
- Best for: Athletes new to club volleyball who want affordable entry points (Pink Group at $90)
- Best for: Developing players who want 1-on-1 coaching attention through individual training subscriptions
- Less ideal for: Elite players looking for a program with a long competitive track record or national rankings
- Less ideal for: Families who need flexibility in payment or refund policies
How Layne VBC Compares to Other Northeast Ohio Clubs
Northeast Ohio has a competitive club volleyball scene with established programs like Spirit Volleyball Club, North Coast Juniors, and others with longer track records. What sets Layne VBC apart is its coaching depth per player (13 coaches across 15 teams), its price accessibility (Pink Group at $90 vs. full-season commitments elsewhere), and its deliberate culture-building around a family environment. It’s a newer program still building its competitive resume, but the foundations are solid.
Final Verdict
Layne Volleyball Club is a genuinely community-oriented club with a coaching staff that clearly cares about developing the whole athlete. For families in the Oberlin and surrounding Northeast Ohio area, it offers real value — particularly through its flexible training formats and accessible pricing. The OVR licensing status and certification gaps are worth following up on directly with the club before committing, but none of them should be automatic disqualifiers for a family doing due diligence.
If you value a close-knit team culture, personalized coaching attention, and affordable entry-level options, Layne VBC earns a strong look. Just go in with eyes open, ask about the OVR licensing status, and confirm all fees and policies before signing up — given the no-refund policy.
Overall Score: 7.5 / 10
Have you or your athlete trained with Layne Volleyball Club? Drop your experience in the comments — it helps other families make the right call.