Executive Director
Tracie Johnson is the founder and executive director of Texas Eastside Volleyball Club. A native of Highlands and a graduate of Baytown’s Ross S. Sterling High School, Tracie has deep roots in the East Harris County area. After high school, Tracie earned an associate’s degree from Lee College (1984) and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Teaching (emphasis in physical education) from Sam Houston State University (1986). Tracie continued her education by earning a Master’s Degree in Physical Education from Texas Southern University (1990).

For the past 19 years, Tracie has directed the Lee College Women’s Volleyball Program and sports a career win-loss record of 522-247 (.686%). Her teams have won six conference, region and district championships and have made six trips to the NJCAA national tournament (three Final Four appearances). She has earned six District Coach of the Year Awards and one AVCA Regional Coach of the Year Award. Finally, Tracie has had the opportunity to coach numerous NJCAA All-Americans while at Lee College, with several of her players finishing the season as the nation’s top statistical leader in kills, hitting efficiency or assists.

On a personal note, Tracie is married to David, and has a son, Adam.

Purpose
  • To promote the sport of volleyball particularly in the east and southeast areas of Texas. To provide an opportunity for young athletes to participate in competitive volleyball.
  • To increase the athletes’ volleyball skills level.
  • To assist the athletes in developing positive teamwork, sportsmanship, and individual personality traits.
  • To provide advanced technical training and advanced opportunities through increased skills level and exposure.
  • To help athletes pursue collegiate goals through their participation in volleyball.
Philosophy
The philosophy of Texas Eastside Volleyball Club is that the sport of volleyball, when properly taught, practiced, learned and executed, successfully prepares the individual for life’s many challenges. Then, as challenges are met and failures/successes are realized, both on and off the court, the individual will be able to exhibit a proper mental focus, sportsmanship, teamwork, tenacity, and a work ethic that will benefit all involved.
History
Founded just over five years ago, Texas Eastside has already become well known for its professionalism and competitive nature. In the inaugural season (2002-03), the club consisted of six teams (13’s through 17’s) and sixty athletes. Several of the teams won tournament championships, finished as runners-up, or played deep into the playoff rounds. Additionally, each of the other age groups won tournaments throughout the season. One of the proudest accomplishments of the club is the number of high school seniors it has helped to earn collegiate volleyball scholarships.  Since the club’s inception, twenty (20) high school seniors have been rewarded for their efforts with volleyball scholarships and have continued their love of volleyball at the collegiate level.
Coaches
One of the key goals of Texas Eastside is to have quality coaching. Each team will have two coaches (a head coach and an assistant). The head coaches are experienced, either as a highly competitive players or as a coaches, but preferably both. The assistant coaches have experience as players in highly competitive volleyball. All coaches will be interviewed and selected by the Director of Coaches.
2007-2008 Tryouts
Texas Eastside hosts tryout sessions early each fall for all interested young ladies.  Tryouts are open to all interested and qualified young ladies and they not only give the coaches an opportunity to evaluate the skills of the participants, but they also give the participants and their parents a chance to meet the club directors and coaches. A small non-refundable fee will be required at these sessions to cover costs. Tryouts will be held on Friday, June 15th, 2007, at Lee College.  See the Home or News page for further details.

Tryout participants will be notified the week after their tryout if they are selected to a Texas Eastside team or not. Those who are selected, and accept the offer to join the club, will meet soon thereafter with coaches and club directors.
Fee Requirements
Once a commitment is made to join Texas Eastside, the parents of the athlete become responsible for club dues. The amount payable can be made in four monthly installments, beginning October 1 (after the initial down payment is made on or before July 15). Approximate fee amounts will be announced at tryout sessions. The exact fee amount will be disclosed to tryout participants who are extended an offer to join the club.
Teams
In the 2007-08 season, Texas Eastside will form 7-10 teams, with an exact determination being made no later than early October. Teams will be categorized by age groups (birthday cutoff date is September 1), with 11’s as the youngest and 18’s as the oldest. More than one team per age group is possible, depending upon the number of tryout participants and the skill levels of participants.
Schedule
Each club team will begin practicing in November. Each team will participate in 8-10 tournaments depending upon the age group and each individual team’s championship tournament qualifying status. The tournament schedule will be December-April, however any teams qualifying for the Regional and National Junior Olympic Championships will compete through May and/or June.