Last summer, Athletes Unlimited debuted with a softball league. The Volleyball league, the second league in the AU platform and the only pro indoor women’s league in the United States, debuted Saturday.

© Jade Hewitt Media – Athletes Unlimited

AU is all about the players. With no team owners or coaches, the players are the decision-makers and stakeholders in the league. Players essentially run it. From drafting weekly teams to in-game decisions, players are in charge all the way.

Much like the softball season, the volleyball season utilizes a unique scoring system. Players earn individual and team points every game. These points determine the season champion.

Taking place at Fair Park Coliseum in Dallas, Texas, the season runs six weeks, featuring a round robin set of matches between four teams every weekend. There are 45 of the best volleyball players, including six Olympians from five different countries. Notable players include Team USA members Jordan Larson and Karsta Lowe, Brazilian Sheilla Castro, Dominican Republic Olympic Team member Bethania de la Cruz, Great Britain Olympian Ciara Michel and Puerto Rican Olympian Aury Cruz.

Much like with the AU Softball players, the volleyball players are also playing for individually selected causes. As part of the financial structure of the league, not only do players get bonuses based on play, but their chosen causes benefit, too. The Athletes Causes program will provide funding to charities of the players’ choosing equal to half of their season bonus.

© Jade Hewitt Media – Athletes Unlimited

Prior to the AU softball season, I had doubts how it would work with the scoring system, but I quickly realized it was still the game I loved and played for most of my life. My volleyball experience, however, is limited to playing in a few pro-am tournaments many years ago while working for the tourney sponsors. While I am still learning the scoring, I quickly became engaged in the competition.

I spent time last week learning about digs, attacks and the rest of the volleyball vernacular. Armed with that knowledge and a weekend of games under my belt, I am ready and excited about the rest of the season.

— John Wroblewski, online writer