For decades, Palencia families have driven across Northeast Florida, from Jacksonville to Daytona Beach, to give their children access to high-level youth sports training. Weeknights often meant long commutes and late returns home as parents worked to balance athletics with school and family life, a routine that has become familiar across the community, but may not be necessary much longer.
Opening just a short distance from Palencia, the St. Johns Volleyball Club is set to bring training closer to home for student-athletes in the area. Its arrival reflects both St. Johns County’s rapid growth and the rising popularity of volleyball, while offering families a way to ease scheduling pressures and keep young athletes more connected to their daily routines. Founder Andor Gyulai, a Nocatee resident, experienced these challenges firsthand. After placing his own children in local volleyball programs, he recognized the time and travel required to access high-quality training and set out to create a premier indoor and beach volleyball facility. His vision draws inspiration from Bradenton’s IMG Academy, known for developing professional athletes in a structured environment.
Andor played volleyball at UCLA, where the program regularly competed for national championships. After college, he coached high school volleyball in South Africa before relocating to St. Johns County, where he coaches the boys’ team at Ponte Vedra High School. In 2009, he expanded his reach by launching a YouTube channel, becoming one of the sport’s most recognized online coaches and developing training systems now used by programs across the country. “Through coaching, I’ve been lucky to see kids go through the full cycle of volleyball development,” Andor said.
The St. Johns Volleyball Club is designed as a modern, comprehensive training facility built specifically for youth athletes and their families. Featuring multiple indoor and outdoor courts, the space will support year-round training and competition, with programs focused on skill development, fitness, and game strategy. Beyond the court, the location is intentionally family-friendly, with easy parking, nearby playgrounds, and walking paths, allowing parents to stay and watch or run errands nearby. The facility blends high-level training with everyday convenience, giving local families access to a full-service volleyball environment without leaving the community.
“Volleyball remains one of the best sports to teach life lessons through.” – Andor Gyulai
