A Change in Direction — But Not in Heart

Carolyn and Lorelei’s season took an unexpected turn this past week after working hard to earn roster spots and secure sponsorships for travel play. When those offers were withdrawn just before the final game of their high-school regional tournament on Wednesday night, we made the decision to redirect our focus — toward new opportunities, local clinics, and training environments that reflect fairness, integrity, and growth.

✨ Sharing names isn’t about calling anyone out — it’s about context, so other families understand how quickly dynamics can shift in youth sports. Our goal isn’t to place blame, but to offer an honest account of how decisions and communication can impact young athletes working to grow in the game they love.

For the past three years, Carolyn and Lorelei have played with Sideout Volleyball Club, where tournament entries were typically in the Classic or USA/American divisions — and never Open. The girls worked hard but wanted more consistent, high-level play to continue developing competitively. That led us to Jupiter Elite, a club known for Open-level competition and advanced player growth.

During tryouts, both girls were told they were strong contenders for roster spots, and it truly seemed like the next step forward. But as final decisions were made, behind-the-scenes influence and internal politics began to outweigh performance.

Most families might have walked away, but not us. We chose to accept practice-player roles, determined to stay the course, continue improving, and let consistency speak louder than circumstances. We were playing the long game — focusing on growth over immediate recognition.

Earlier this year, due to financial constraints and these competitive factors, our family accepted practice-player positions at Jupiter Elite, holding onto hope that sponsorships and visibility during the Jupiter High School season might eventually make full participation possible. During that time, the girls showed incredible perseverance — especially Carolyn, who spent much of her varsity season supporting from the bench until her moment came.

That moment arrived during a tournament at Stewart High School, where Carolyn finally earned full-time playing time. Her performance was exceptional — the kind that reminds an athlete she absolutely belongs. That same tournament was attended by coaches from High Tide Volleyball, who witnessed her ability firsthand. Soon after, both girls were offered roster spots with High Tide’s 15 & 16 Elite teams.

We were deeply grateful for the opportunity and began working immediately to secure funding to make it possible for both girls to play. Through friends, family, and community outreach, we received some sponsorship support, but not enough to cover the full cost for two high-school athletes.

Because I had been told we could always return to Jupiter Elite as practice players, and our tuition payment plan was still active — with one payment taken on October 1 and the final installment scheduled for November 1 — I believed our roles there remained in good standing while we worked to secure full sponsorship funding. When I reached out to confirm where things stood, it was under that understanding — simply clarifying whether the girls still had practice-player spots or if full roster positions had opened. To my surprise, I learned that neither option was available for Carolyn to return to, despite the continued payments and prior assurances.

Shortly afterward, High Tide leadership learned that I had followed up with Jupiter Elite, and in that moment they offered to contribute sponsorship money directly to help bridge the gap. It was unexpected, but we were hopeful this meant everything was aligning at last.

However, less than 24 hours later — before I had even had a chance to return their call after a full workday and family schedule — High Tide leadership rescinded both the sponsorship offer and the roster spots entirely. The decision came suddenly and without discussion, just one day prior to Jupiter High School’s regional final tournament game last week.

We had been transparent from the start that participation depended on sponsorships, and our communication with Jupiter Elite was done purely to stay honest about financial reality — not to negotiate or manipulate. That outreach was misinterpreted as disloyalty, and within days both opportunities were gone, leaving Carolyn and Lorelei without a team through no fault of their own.

The truth is, this was never about sides. It was about trying to keep two hardworking girls on the court in a way that was financially sustainable. Unfortunately, that message was lost — and both girls were left without a team.

It’s disheartening how often loyalty is defined one way — upward. Families are expected to stay loyal to clubs, but that same loyalty isn’t always reciprocated when players simply seek fairness, clarity, or financial stability. As parents, we’re teaching our girls that integrity, communication, and self-respect matter more than titles — and that sometimes, closed doors are just redirections toward better ones.

While our original GoFundMe goal focused on covering club tuition, we’ve now redirected remaining and future contributions toward keeping Carolyn and Lorelei training, competing, and developing as athletes — through clinics, private coaching, and opportunities that align with their growth and values.

We’re also open to connecting with local clubs or coaches who believe in fairness, encouragement, and opportunity — the kind of environments where young athletes truly thrive.

This journey has always been about more than volleyball. It’s about perseverance, character, and the courage to keep showing up — even when doors close unexpectedly.

How You Can Still Help:

1. Continue to share their story — awareness builds community.

2. Encourage the girls as they rebuild their path with grace and grit.

3. If you’d like to contribute toward training or upcoming opportunities, you can still donate here — every bit helps them stay in the game they love.

4. Share this story with local coaches or clubs who may be seeking hardworking, team-oriented athletes ready to contribute and grow.

Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, to everyone who’s believed in them through the highs and heartbreaks. This story isn’t over — it’s simply taking a new direction.

— The Ivins Family

To every family walking a similar path: don’t lose heart. Sometimes the closed doors are just redirections toward the people and places meant to see your light.

Written by Anne Ivins — a mom who believes that character is built not just in the spotlight, but in the silence between the moments that test your faith, courage, and heart.