Join Driven Dragons Volleyball Academy for elite volleyball training. Our volleyball training programs help athletes excel. Join us today! Programs -> Programs -> Programs -> Programs -> Girls Tryouts / Open Gym Boys Tryouts Coed Spring Programs Girls Summer Cleague Boys Summer Cleague Girls Sand Series Girls Summer Camp Why Driven Dragons? United Sports, Downingtown, PA United Sports, Downingtown, PA United Sports, Downingtown, PA United Sports, Downingtown, PA We are more than just volleyball, we are about growth and leadership on and off the court. Our values : Enthusiasm, Sportsmanship, Drive, and Camaraderie Driven Dragons Parent Driven Dragons Volleyball Academy: A Year of Growth and Excellence "We’ve had the privilege of working with the Driven Dragons Volleyball Academy for about a year now. Our involvement has spanned clinics, camps, and participation in their travel club season last year. Founded by Jaime, this academy embodies a heart of gold and a deep passion for volleyball. However, perhaps Jaime’s greatest attribute lies in her unwavering commitment to helping children grow in both skill and confidence." Building Confidence, Skills, and Passion "Jaime’s approach to the club is simple yet powerful: foster confidence, develop skills, and ignite passion for volleyball, regardless of the starting level. When we joined the club, we had a couple of years of clinic experience under our belts but no prior club exposure. Jaime and her husband, Christian, served as excellent guides, teaching not only the girls but also the parents about how club volleyball operates. Their guidance was invaluable because, as we soon discovered, the volleyball community can be highly competitive, and it’s easy to feel “lost” during tournaments." Stellar Communication and Growth "Jaime and Christian consistently ensured that we were well-informed. They communicated clearly about what was happening, when events were scheduled, and what we could expect next. Their stellar communication skills extended across multiple channels, making them approachable for any questions or concerns. We wholeheartedly recommend them! In just their first year, the academy has expanded from 2 teams to 5+ and has recruited top-notch coaches. We eagerly anticipate their continued success." Join the Driven Dragons Experience "Whether you’re a newcomer to the volleyball scene or a seasoned player seeking a fresh club experience, we encourage you to reach out to Jaime and the Driven Dragons. You won’t be disappointed! Feel free to explore the Driven Dragons Volleyball Academy and discover the joy of volleyball! 🏐🔥" Driven Dragons Parent "What a fantastic and fun season! Malena is going to do beach too!" Driven Dragons Parent “Thank you Zoe for everything! Addy loves volleyball even more with you as her coach! She has improved so much this season. Thanks for all your instruction. See ya in beach!” Driven Dragons Parent “So proud of everyone! Way to go all!!! Perfect ending to a great season!” Driven Dragons Parent “Thank you both for being amazing coaches! It's incredible to see how much they change over the season. Thank you for letting them make mistakes, learn from them and move on. And at the end of the day, let them have fun! The way they treated each other was a direct result of the way you coached them. Thank you again!!! Contact Us Address United Sports 1426 Marshallton Thorndale Road, Downingtown, PA 19335 Contact Phone: 610-348-7761 Email: Info@DrivenDragonsVBA.com STAY IN THE KNOW Enter your email here Subscribe Thanks for submitting!

Coed Juniors Programs Our Junior Coed Volleyball Programs are designed to help athletes in grades 5–7 build confidence, develop essential volleyball skills, and prepare for next year’s school tryouts and club opportunities. Running across the winter and spring seasons, these coed Cleagues focus on both individual development and competitive play. Each session is structured with 25% skill-focused training—covering technique, footwork, serving, passing, and game IQ—and 75% high-energy competitive play, including Royals (Kings/Queens), team scrimmages, and game-style rotations. This blend ensures players learn proper fundamentals while gaining real, on-court playing experience. The Winter Session is open to all levels, making it a great entry point for new athletes or a strong refresher for returning players. The Spring Session is for experienced players only, requiring participation in the Winter Program or prior team experience. This ensures the pace remains competitive and developmental. Whether athletes are aiming to make their school teams next year, preparing for club volleyball, or getting ready for our upcoming boys club program or current girls club teams, these leagues provide the foundation, confidence, and repetition they need to succeed. Our goal is to create a fun, structured environment where players progress quickly and feel ready for their next step in the sport. Winter Coed Middle School Prep Cleague I Who : Boys and Girls Currently in Grades 5th through 7th Perquisites: Wants to learn or improve in volleyball and prepare for middle school and club tryouts next year Dates: Tuesdays, Jan 13, 20, 27, Feb 3, 10, 17, 24, March 3, 10, 17 [March 24 and 31 is only if we need to makeup a snow day] Time: 8pm to 9:15pm Location : United Sports Downingtown, PA Cost per athlete: $475 Closed / Sold Out Spring Coed Middle School Prep Cleague II Who: Boys and Girls Currently in Grades 5th through 7th Perquisites: Has completed our Winter Coed Middle School Prep Cleague I or has played on a team Dates: Tuesdays, Apr 7, 14, 21, 28, May 5, May 12, May 19, May 26 Time: 8pm to 9:15pm Location : United Sports Downingtown, PA Cost per athlete: $475 Register Here

14 Sapphire Housing & Tournament Information For our Regional teams, tournaments are not "Stay and Play" events. This means hotel stays are entirely optional, and you are not required to book through any specific agency to participate. 🚗 Travel & Lodging Overview Flexibility: You are free to book your own accommodations (Hotels, AirBnB, etc.) or drive back and forth each day. Pro Tip: While we provide the tournament-affiliated hotel links below, you can often find better rates by booking independently. Commuting: If you choose to drive daily, please allow extra time for potential traffic or winter weather conditions to ensure athletes arrive on time. 🏆 Multi-Day & Long-Distance Tournaments The following events are the longest-distance tournaments on the Regional schedule. All other tournaments not listed here are single-day events located within approximately one hour of our practice facility. Tournament Dates Location Booking Link (Optional) MLK Challenge Jan 17–19 Lancaster, PA View Hotels PA Kick Starter Feb 7–8 Spooky Nook Sports View Hotels Irish Rumble March 7–8 Spooky Nook Sports View Hotels Champions Cup March 28–29 Harrisburg Farm Show Complex View Hotels ❓ Frequently Asked Questions Do I have to stay overnight? No. Many families choose to commute, but hotels are available for those who prefer to stay closer to the venue. What about other tournaments? Any tournament not listed above is a single-day event within a short driving distance.

🏐 12 Sapphire: Tournament Travel & Hotel Information Hi 12 Sapphire Families, I wanted to clarify how travel and housing will work for our upcoming season. For our Regional teams, none of our tournaments are "Stay and Play" events. This means you have total flexibility and are not required to book specific hotels to participate. 🚗 Travel Overview Most Tournaments: All of our events (except one) are one-day tournaments located within about an hour of our practice facility. Most families choose to drive back and forth each day. Hotel Links: While venues may share "official" hotel links, you are often able to find better deals by researching on your own or using sites like AirBnB. 🏆 Multi-Day Tournament Detail We have only one tournament this season that is further away (approx. 1 hour 45 minutes) and spans two days. If you prefer to stay overnight to avoid the drive, the details are below: 2026 Champions Cup Dates: March 28–29 Location: PA Farm Show Complex | Harrisburg, PA Booking Link (Optional): View Tournament Hotels Note: You are not required to use the link above; feel free to book wherever you find the best rate. All other events on our schedule remain single-day local trips. Please let us know if you have any questions!

14 Ruby Housing & Tournament Information For our Regional teams, tournaments are not "Stay and Play" events. This means hotel stays are entirely optional, and you are not required to book through any specific agency to participate. 🚗 Travel & Lodging Overview Flexibility: You are free to book your own accommodations (Hotels, AirBnB, etc.) or drive back and forth each day. Pro Tip: While we provide the tournament-affiliated hotel links below, you can often find better rates by booking independently. Commuting: If you choose to drive daily, please allow extra time for potential traffic or winter weather conditions to ensure athletes arrive on time. 🏆 Multi-Day & Long-Distance Tournaments The following events are the longest-distance tournaments on the Regional schedule. All other tournaments not listed here are single-day events located within approximately one hour of our practice facility. Tournament Dates Location Booking Link (Optional) MLK Challenge Jan 17–19 Manheim, PA View Hotels PA Kick Starter Feb 7–8 Spooky Nook Sports View Hotels Irish Rumble March 7–8 Spooky Nook Sports View Hotels Champions Cup March 28–29 Harrisburg Farm Show Complex View Hotels ❓ Frequently Asked Questions Do I have to stay overnight? No. Many families choose to commute, but hotels are available for those who prefer to stay closer to the venue. What about other tournaments? Any tournament not listed above is a single-day event within a short driving distance.

15 Sapphire Housing & Tournament Information For our Regional teams, tournaments are not "Stay and Play" events. This means hotel stays are entirely optional, and you are not required to book through any specific agency to participate. 🚗 Travel & Lodging Overview Flexibility: You are free to book your own accommodations (Hotels, AirBnB, etc.) or drive back and forth each day. Pro Tip: While we provide the tournament-affiliated hotel links below, you can often find better rates by booking independently. Commuting: If you choose to drive daily, please allow extra time for potential traffic or winter weather conditions to ensure athletes arrive on time. 🏆 Multi-Day & Long-Distance Tournaments The following events are the longest-distance tournaments on the Regional schedule. All other tournaments not listed here are single-day events located within approximately one hour of our practice facility. Tournament Dates Location Booking Link (Optional) MLK Challenge Jan 17–19 Manheim, PA View Hotels PA Kick Starter Feb 7–8 Spooky Nook Sports View Hotels Irish Rumble March 7–8 Spooky Nook Sports View Hotels Champions Cup March 28–29 Harrisburg Farm Show Complex View Hotels ❓ Frequently Asked Questions Do I have to stay overnight? No. Many families choose to commute, but hotels are available for those who prefer to stay closer to the venue. What about other tournaments? Any tournament not listed above is a single-day event within a short driving distance.

13 Sapphire Housing & Tournament Information For our Regional teams, tournaments are not "Stay and Play" events. This means hotel stays are entirely optional, and you are not required to book through any specific agency to participate. 🚗 Travel & Lodging Overview Flexibility: You are free to book your own accommodations (Hotels, AirBnB, etc.) or drive back and forth each day. Pro Tip: While we provide the tournament-affiliated hotel links below, you can often find better rates by booking independently. Commuting: If you choose to drive daily, please allow extra time for potential traffic or winter weather conditions to ensure athletes arrive on time. 🏆 Multi-Day & Long-Distance Tournaments The following events are the longest-distance tournaments on the Regional schedule. All other tournaments not listed here are single-day events located within approximately one hour of our practice facility. Tournament Dates Location Booking Link (Optional) MLK Challenge Jan 17–19 Lancaster, PA View Hotels PA Kick Starter Feb 7–8 Spooky Nook Sports View Hotels Irish Rumble March 7–8 Spooky Nook Sports View Hotels Champions Cup March 28–29 Harrisburg Farm Show Complex View Hotels ❓ Frequently Asked Questions Do I have to stay overnight? No. Many families choose to commute, but hotels are available for those who prefer to stay closer to the venue. What about other tournaments? Any tournament not listed above is a single-day event within a short driving distance.

Our Growth Journey Why Driven Dragons Club Volleyball? Because we 'Rise to Greatness' by following our 4 core Driven Dragons Leadership Values: Enthusiasm : Approach everything with energy and a positive attitude. Parents can cheer loudly, athletes can give their all on the court, and coaches can lead with passion. Sportsmanship : Play fair, respect everyone, and show kindness. Parents can model good behavior, athletes can follow the rules, and coaches can teach the importance of respect. Driven : Work hard, stay focused, and never give up. Parents can support their child's goals, athletes can push themselves to improve, and coaches can inspire their team to succeed. Camaraderie : Build strong bonds, communicate openly, and support each other. Parents can connect with other families, athletes can be good teammates, and coaches can create a positive team culture. These values collectively represent the ethos of our academy and serve as a guiding light for our athletes, coaches, and the community. They are the foundation upon which the Driven Dragons Volleyball Academy is built, fostering an environment where young athletes can grow and excel. At our core, we believe true victory lies in growth and embracing challenges. Placing well in a tournament is just a signal to raise the bar—pushing us to seek tougher competition and elevate our game. * If you notice anything that contradicts our values and/or Guidelines as defined in our Parent & Player Handbook, please do not hesitate to contact us (PeopleSuccess@DrivenDragonsVBA.com )* Why Driven Dragons? Chase Growth, Not Just Medals At Driven Dragons Volleyball Academy, we’re dedicated to developing confident, resilient young leaders who love the game and grow through it—on and off the court. Our mission is clear: prioritize growth above all else. Winning medals and trophies is exciting, and we celebrate those moments as a team when they come. But we don’t chase hardware. We chase personal and athletic growth—the kind that comes from stepping into challenges, learning from every rally and setback, building mental toughness, sharpening skills, and deepening a lifelong passion for volleyball. Medals can be a nice byproduct; true success is measured by how much each player improves and stretches themselves. We intentionally seek out tough competition and high-stakes environments because those experiences forge resilience, strategic thinking, and unbreakable confidence. Our Whole Person/Player Development philosophy—rooted in Positive Coaching Alliance principles and double-goal coaching—celebrates Effort, Learning, and the mindset that Mistakes are OK (our ELM Tree approach). We help athletes set personal goals, track progress with tools like HUDL (Provided to Diamond Teams) video analysis and stats, and build life lessons through sport, all while filling emotional tanks with encouragement and positivity. We meet every athlete where they are: Younger players (12–14) thrive in fun, foundational training that sparks joy, builds core skills, and grows confidence in a supportive, low-pressure setting. Competitive athletes (13–18) advance through tailored tiers—from Regional to elite National/Diamond—gaining exposure to strong opponents, college scouts, advanced strength & conditioning, and optional mental resilience training. Guided by our Driven Dragon Leadership Values—Enthusiasm, Sportsmanship, Driven, and Camaraderie—we foster a culture where teammates uplift each other, coaches lead with care, and every player is empowered to rise. Hard work, positive attitude, and coachability naturally shine through, creating opportunities for everyone to stretch and succeed. If you’re seeking a program that values hard work over win-at-all-costs pressure, embraces challenges as growth fuel, and defines success by individual progress—not just the trophy case—Driven Dragons is built for you. Join us to learn, lead, stretch, and fall in love with volleyball for the long term. Rise to Greatness with Driven Dragons—where growth always comes first.

Private Lessons Please call or text Driven Dragons at 610-348-7761 or email: Info@DrivenDragonsVBA.com to schedule any private lesson(s). 1-hour lesson = $153 an hour for 1 to 3 Players $203 an hour for 4 to 6 Players $253 an hour for 7 to 12 Players Athletes who are part of our current club season receive a $45 discount on private lessons as a thank you for being with us! If you played with us in the previous season and haven’t joined another club for the upcoming season, you’ll continue to enjoy the $45 discount on private lessons. For athletes who played with us previously but have joined a different club for the next season, the $45 discount will no longer apply. Driven Dragons Volleyball Academy has created an opportunity for private coaching lessons. This is an opportunity to drill down and laser focus on crucial volleyball skills, such as passing, setting, spiking, game rules, game situations, etc. These skills are also taught in our group clinics, but a private lesson is more one-on-one, focused learning. ***Parent/Guardian must be present during private lessons for persons under 18. Our Private Lesson Coaches Alexis Garrett 14 and Under Head Coach Specialty: Defense/Libero Heather Flanagan 14 and Under Head Coach Specialty: Setting Zoe Krause 15 and Older Coach Specialty: Middle/RH Jordan Kern 15 and Older Head Coach Specialty: Defense/Libero Natalie Dependahl 15 and Older Coach Specialty: OH/DS Matt Rukunga 15 and Older Coach Specialty: Setting/Hitting/Defense

Spirit Stores Click to Enter Spirit Store: Dragons Den

Our Program – Rise to Greatness with Driven Dragons Volleyball Academy At Driven Dragons Volleyball Academy, our success is built on a clear, consistent program philosophy rather than depending on any single coach. We select experienced coaches who align with our core values and growth-focused approach. This helps create continuity and a shared culture for our athletes across all teams and seasons. Why Choose Driven Dragons? We Rise to Greatness by living our four core Driven Dragons Leadership Values. These values guide everything we do — from practices and matches to how families, athletes, and coaches interact: Enthusiasm — Approach everything with energy and a positive attitude. Sportsmanship — Play fair, respect everyone, and show kindness. Drive — Work hard, stay focused, and never give up. Camaraderie — Build strong bonds, communicate openly, and support each other. These values form the foundation of our academy and create a positive environment where young athletes can grow, compete, and develop both on and off the court. Our Program Philosophy True victory lies in growth and embracing challenges. Tournament placements are simply signals to raise the bar and seek tougher competition. We prioritize personal and athletic growth over chasing medals. Winning is exciting and celebrated as a team, but our real measure of success is how much each player improves, builds mental toughness, sharpens skills, and develops a lifelong love for the game. We intentionally pursue challenging competition and high-stakes environments because those experiences build resilience, strategic thinking, and confidence. Our Whole Person/Player Development approach draws from Positive Coaching Alliance principles and our ELM Tree mindset (Effort, Learning, and Mistakes are OK). We support athletes in setting personal goals, tracking progress (including HUDL video analysis and stats for Diamond teams), and learning life lessons through sport — all while keeping encouragement and positivity at the center. Development Across Levels We meet every athlete where they are and help them rise through our tiered program: Younger players (12–14) thrive in fun, foundational training that builds core skills, confidence, and joy in a supportive environment. Competitive athletes (13–18) advance from Regional to elite National/Diamond levels, gaining exposure to strong opponents, college recruiting opportunities, advanced strength & conditioning, and optional mental resilience training. Guided by our Leadership Values, we foster a culture where teammates uplift one another, hard work and coachability stand out, and every player is encouraged to stretch and succeed. If you notice anything that contradicts our values or guidelines as outlined in our Parent & Player Handbook, please contact us at PeopleSuccess@DrivenDragonsVBA.com . We address concerns together as a program. Join a Program Built for Long-Term Success If you’re seeking a volleyball academy that values hard work over win-at-all-costs pressure, treats challenges as opportunities for growth, and measures success by individual progress rather than just trophies — Driven Dragons is the right fit. Here, our program and shared values provide the consistent foundation for development. Coaches who join us bring their passion and expertise while aligning with this philosophy, helping every athlete Rise to Greatness. Rise to Greatness with Driven Dragons — where growth always comes first. Leadership Team Coach Jaime Bio Coach Jaime Lizarazu, the driving force behind Driven Dragons Volleyball Academy, is a visionary leader with an unmatched passion for volleyball and an unrelenting commitment to excellence. With over 20 years of experience in quality and continuous improvement, Jaime has transitioned her career from refining the highest quality IT systems to manufacture life-saving drugs to applying those same skills to build the most sought-after, high-quality volleyball training academy. Her mission is clear: to deliver the world’s premier volleyball training experience by refining the academy’s program year after year, implementing the latest cutting-edge training techniques, and hand-selecting and retaining the best coaches—each with competitive playing and or coaching experience through clubs and/or college at Division I, II, or III universities and coaching expertise honed in university, club, or school settings, continually refining their skills. Jaime’s volleyball journey began as a high school freshman when she was recruited for Club Volleyball, training for four years under Villanova’s esteemed coaching staff. Her talent and tenacity earned her walk-on spots at Drexel and Temple Universities, both Division I programs, where she honed her skills and deepened her love for the game. A dynamic beach volleyball player, Jaime shares her passion with her husband and children, creating lasting family memories on the sand. A Drexel University graduate, Jaime’s pursuit of quality extended beyond the court into her professional career as an IT Quality Engineer. She spent two impactful years in Switzerland validating pharmaceutical systems that produce life-saving medicines, sharpening her expertise in precision and continuous improvement. This same drive fuels her work at Driven Dragons, where she has built a legacy of excellence. Starting her coaching career at St. Basil's Academy High School in Cheltenham PA, Jaime now leads the academy’s staff with a focus on training coaches to inspire and elevate their athletes. Her hands-on approach ensures every coach embodies her commitment to quality, fostering a culture of passion, respect, and empowerment. Jaime’s specialty lies in her ability to create a program that evolves annually, incorporating the latest volleyball methodologies and cultivating a coaching staff that is second to none. Parents and athletes can trust that under Jaime’s leadership, Driven Dragons Volleyball Academy delivers an unparalleled experience, designed to unlock every player’s potential and ignite a lifelong spark for the sport. Join Jaime and her team to experience volleyball training at its finest, led by a coach who lives and breathes excellence. Key Accomplishments Over 20 years of experience in quality and continuous improvement, transitioned from IT systems for life-saving pharmaceuticals to building the most sought-after volleyball training academy. Selected as a walk-on volleyball player at Drexel and Temple Universities, Division I schools, after excelling in Club Volleyball under Villanova’s coaching staff. Played doubles beach volleyball with family, passing her passion for the sport to the next generation. Contributed to global healthcare by validating pharmaceutical systems in Switzerland for two years, honing expertise in precision and quality. Leads Driven Dragons Volleyball Academy, continuously refining the program, training top-tier coaches, and implementing cutting-edge techniques to deliver the world’s best volleyball training experience. Coach Smith Bio: Smith served as head coach for the women's volleyball program at Immaculata University, completing his first season in the fall of 2018 with a 5-17 record and qualifying for the inaugural Atlantic East Conference tournament. He secured his first career win as a head coach in the season-opener at Cairn (8/31) and led the Mighty Macs to the program's first-ever Atlantic East victory over Gwynedd Mercy (10/24), clinching a spot in the conference tournament. In his second season at Immaculata in 2019, Smith guided the Macs to another 5-17 record while achieving improvements in several statistical categories. The team finished second in the Atlantic East in opponents' hitting percentage (.160) and led the league in opponents' assists per game (8.42). Under Smith's mentorship, Natalie Dependahl ranked eighth in the Atlantic East with 2.39 kills per set, and McKenna Ryan ranked sixth in the conference with 4.07 digs per set. Prior to Immaculata, Smith brought extensive coaching experience from his six-year tenure as the head girls' volleyball coach at Sparks Volleyball Club in West Chester, Pa. He also served as co-director and head coach of the Sparks Volleyball Beach Volleyball Club, coaching girls aged 13 through 18. During his time with Sparks, Smith coached for four seasons as the head girls' volleyball coach at Kennett High School (2013-16) and worked as a court coach and player evaluator with USAV High Performance in 2015. Smith earned his Level III AAU Positive Coaching Alliance and Coaching Accreditation Program (CAP) II certifications in 2017 and held USAV Indoor and Beach IMPACT certifications. As an official, he was a Professional Association of Volleyball Officials (PAVO) and PIAA certified official, having officiated NCAA men's and women's matches for two years. A member of USA Volleyball since 1995, Smith played for the men's club team at West Chester University for three seasons. Smith now brings his wealth of experience to Driven Dragons Volleyball Academy, where he currently serves as the Director of Recruiting, Head Coach, and Mentor continuing to inspire and develop young athletes. Jaime Lizarazu Founder & CEO Christian Lizarazu CTO & People Success Director Rob Smith Director of Recruiting & Mentor Coach Christian Bio Coach Christian, head coach and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Driven Dragons Volleyball Academy, began coaching in 2018, inspired by his wife and a desire to teach his daughter new skills. As CTO, he has revolutionized the academy’s operations by implementing TeamSnap for seamless scheduling, registrations, and communication, enhancing efficiency for coaches, players, and families. He also secured transformative partnerships with Balltime.ai and Hudl, equipping athletes with AI-powered video analytics and highlight tools to elevate player development and recruitment. Additionally, Christian serves as a vital floater coach, stepping in with expertise and enthusiasm to support other coaches during absences, ensuring consistent, high-quality training for all teams. Key Accomplishments Coached our Pilot and Regional teams to tournament victories, fosters confidence and teamwork. Developed players into skilled athletes and confident leaders on and off the court. Implemented TeamSnap to streamline academy operations and improve communication. Forged partnerships with Balltime.ai and Hudl, empowering athletes with professional-grade analytics and recruiting tools.

2026-2027 Club Season Team Packages Team Offerings