If there’s one thing Central Oregon loves, it’s volleyball. The volleyball community in Central Oregon has been continuously growing, and with it, the opportunities to compete. This past year, members of the community came together to form the High Desert Volleyball Association, one of Central Oregon’s newest 501(c)(3) nonprofits. The nonprofit was born out of a need for more accessible opportunities for people of all skill levels to compete. From clinics to tournaments to leagues, the High Desert Volleyball Association has become the heart of Central Oregon volleyball.
The High Desert Volleyball Association first came about last year when the volleyball community was at a crossroads. The indoor and outdoor volleyball space was limited, and with tensions rising, a change needed to be made. This is when the founder, Justin Croteau, saw the opportunity to organize and bring people together. Croteau said, “Forming a nonprofit gave us a clear and legitimate way to set goals, advocate for more space, and create sustainable solutions. It gave the community a platform to build something long-term, not just temporary fixes.” Croteau’s love for volleyball first came about when he was living in Spokane, which has a large volleyball community. He was drawn to volleyball because “the sport naturally brings people together in a way that’s social, athletic, and inclusive.” When he moved to Bend, he wanted to find that volleyball community again, but he noticed that it wasn’t as structured and organized. He wanted to bring that same inclusive community he experienced in Spokane to Bend, and that is when the High Desert Volleyball Association was born.
Croteau’s goal of turning the High Desert Volleyball Association into a formal nonprofit was a long journey that was “both empowering and eye-opening.” The process required a lot of attention to detail and focus but he knew that creating “something lasting and legitimate” would be worth it to the community. In April of 2025, the High Desert Volleyball Association officially became a registered 501(c)(3). In 2025 alone, they have “hosted over six major tournaments, launched Bend’s first-ever organized grass volleyball league, and held weekly free sand clinics.” The group has “served over 370 individual participants and that number continues to grow every month as word spreads and the demand for quality local volleyball opportunities rises.” Although it can be difficult to balance the administrative tasks that come with running a nonprofit and the community facing side, Justin has an amazing team of community volunteers and leaders helping him.
Katie Pelchar was one of the leaders who is still heavily involved in the formation of the High Desert Volleyball Association. When asked what being a part of the Association means to her, she told the Source, “I have seen firsthand the impact of having a community and how it propels everyone inside it. Professionally and personally.” Pelchar has seen the volleyball community develop into one that allows people who might not have a lot of volleyball experience to still feel comfortable competing and learning. She said, “Historically, it has always been hard to approach beach volleyball with little to no experience. My favorite part of the community has been seeing people interested in the sport come out and find players at their level that they can learn from.” The High Desert Volleyball Association is not just a community for experienced volleyball players, but people who are interested in learning and building community.
The High Desert Volleyball Association has made an impact on the local volleyball community. It has helped people who are new to Central Oregon or new to volleyball find community through inclusivity and accessibility. It has received feedback from families and individuals who “truly appreciate the accessibility of our programs, especially the free clinics and inclusive community events,” Pelchar says.People of all ages and skill levels have become involved and formed such a supportive community full of regular and new faces. There is a place for everyone at the High Desert Volleyball Association, and the positive feedback that Croteau and his team have received continues to motivate them to keep going and keep expanding on their programs.
The Association’s goals don’t stop at becoming a nonprofit. Some short-term goals include expanding the number of events it hosts to 25+ a year, and focusing on growing its hardship assistance fund to continue to support community members in need and to make sure that its programs are accessible to everyone. Long term, they would want to establish a permanent sand and hard court facility that can serve as the home of the High Desert Volleyball Community year round, and make Central Oregon “a true volleyball destination not just for local players, but for traveling teams, juniors, and high-level tournaments.”
If you are interested in getting involved with the High Desert Volleyball Association, you can email at HighDesertVolleyball@gmail.com or message on Instagram @HighDesertVolleyball for updates and event info. You can also find out more info about upcoming leagues, tournaments, and clinics at HDVA.net.
This article appears in Source Weekly August 7, 2025.
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