By: Jordyn Patrick
Five years ago, Countdown Volleyball Club was nothing more than an idea. Today, a belief built on history and history made on dedication. For the first time ever, Countdown is sending two teams to the USAV Girls Junior National Championships later this month in Indianapolis, a moment that means as much to the club as it does to the athletes who earned it.
For club director Connor Tetting, the milestone is emotional. “It means everything to me as a director. From starting Countdown five years ago and five years in we have two teams qualified.” This built validation throughout everyone. Validation that a small Space Coast club can grow into something powerful. Validation that the long months and the belief in kids who believed in themselves, all mattered.
Countdown’s 15‑1 Elite team is the perfect example of a team who worked hard for what they got. Head coach Connor Tetting who is also preparing for his first year as the JV head coach at Satellite, taught his players to run faster offenses, take bigger swings, and trust in each other. “We’ve learned to be aggressive and run fast offenses this year,” he said, a shift that helped them climb from the USA division to the Open division throughout only a couple months of training. “We started playing in the USA level and ended in the open division. That shows the growth of the girls.”
Growth was not easy. Tetting pushed them intentionally, knowing that the best version of this team lived just outside their comfort zone. Pushing the girls, “Getting the girls a little uncomfortable, which is good,” he said. And the team responded. Not by qualifying once but double‑qualified, earning their second bid in Chicago with only seven players. Tetting hoping to bring that grit he saw all the way to Indianapolis.
For him, coaching this age group has been unexpectedly personal. “This is my first year coaching a young team like 15’s, so they have been pulling on my heart strings and got nice Connor out,” he admitted. “Which is a good thing for both the players and myself.”
You can tell his players feel that same connection. Cady Tinch (Satellite/Libero) said this season taught her more mentally than physically. “I’ve just learned more about me as a player mentally than I have physically this whole season,” said Tinch. She believes the team’s strength comes from their shared purpose. “If we all come together and we are all driven to the goal of making ourselves better at the sport we love, then it’s going to be fun.”
She’s grown up with many of these teammates, and that familiarity matters in the sport of volleyball. “Growing up playing with each other the past 3 years, we all know how to read each other and pick each other up,” she said. When she looks at her team now, she sees one thing: “I see a team that’s qualified.”
For Lily Sigety (Melbourne/Setter), the moment feels even bigger. She’s part of the first Countdown team to ever qualify, and she understands just what that means. “Personally it’s a huge accomplishment… I think it’s growth with everything leading up to my future in this sport,” said Sigety. She admits she’s nervous about the higher division, but she trusts her team’s fight. “I feel like our team can definitely fight through it.” And above all, she’s grateful. “I’m very happy I get to do all this.”
While the 15s grew through discomfort, the Countdown 17‑1 Elite team grew through connection. Head coach David Specian has watched his players evolve physically, mentally, and socially. “Physically they’ve gotten a lot stronger,” he said. “Socially I’ve seen them bond, which helps them kind of peak later in the season.” At this point in the year, he believes success comes from simplicity, which means doing the little things well, over and over. “It’s more about gameplay and cohesiveness on the court… doing the simple things really well.”
Specian’s coaching philosophy is focused both individually and collectively. “I’m here to make them individually better players,” he said. “And then once the season progresses, see how I can make their connections better in real time.”
Allie Brown (Viera/Setter) sees qualifying as validation, “Qualifying really shows all the hard work we’ve put in… It’s always been our goal,” she said. Her mindset heading into Nationals is confident. “We’ve earned our spot… our team is capable of winning.” This season taught her to, “Stay consistent throughout the whole game… always play like you’re winning.”
For Isabella Taylor (Space Coast/Outside Hitter), qualifying is the payoff. “All our hard work has finally paid off,” she said. “All the hours and sweat that went into practices and other tournaments.” Her biggest growth came in leadership. “My leadership has improved the most,” she said. And when matches get tight, she leans on, “Being able to stay confident and be comfortable.”
Together, these teams represent a fast growing and hard working Space Coast club. With coaches and girls representing a community that has watched Countdown grow from a small Space Coast program into a national‑level contender.