While I’ve been a platform tennis player for years, the pandemic inspired me to spend time improving my game – quickly evolving from a fun hobby to a passion that still exists today.
Aside from my enthusiasm for platform tennis - my brother and I have spent most of our careers in tech, and are comfortable disrupting an industry. We worked together building an AgriTech business for John Deere, where we expanded product lines, adopted innovative marketing strategies, and broadened distribution networks. We then co-founded a successful embedded digital signage company, and after a decade of dedicated work, sold to an industry competitor in 2019.
The sale of our company allowed me to improve my paddle game, but I quickly recognized that my ability to train - and the tools to do it effectively, was limited. My game wasn’t improving as quickly as my love for the sport was growing. During this time, I was also working on my golf skills and I noticed that the technology in golf simulators provided valuable insights on specific areas I needed to focus on and my game was improving fast. This got me thinking…if there was more technology like that offered to platform tennis players, would their game progress faster?
The only method for attempting to get on the court solo in paddle (i.e. the traditional ball machine) has remained unchanged for decades. The gap was obvious, and so was the ability to innovate a category that I personally knew so desperately needed it.
The result of our background in tech and my new hobby was the perfect storm for us to create a game-changing capability for racquet sports.
The Volley Story
While racquet sports like platform tennis, pickleball, and Padel have taken off in popularity, it’s still challenging for players to really focus on their own needs and improve. To that end, replicating shots is not always possible, nor is finding court time, pro time, or time with 3 other players who can challenge you with what you need. For most people, shots like waterfalls, knicks, and back-side screens, are not easy to cue up during a match, lesson - or much less, a friendly game.
Considering how far our technology has come in the last 40 years, we quickly realized that vision technology and AI could power a dynamic racquet sports trainer, so Dan and I set out to change the game.
The Volley Journey
At the onset of our journey to creating Volley, I used a traditional ball machine propped on paint sticks, making it taller and more mobile to accommodate shots I wanted to practice. To my surprise, other players expressed interest in my setup, even asking if they could buy one! This emphasized the shared need for innovative solutions designed to drive player growth.
Bringing the Volley trainer to life was a labor of love inspired by my passion for paddle and driven by our background in tech. We aimed to develop a unique trainer, offering unprecedented access to personalized training, tailored lesson plans, live-play scenarios, video practice footage, and instant feedback: features that are virtually unmatched in the market. We also wanted to enhance the capabilities of teaching professionals, giving them a platform to provide valuable feedback while allowing for more time next to their players demonstrating technique without having to serve balls.
To create our ultimate trainer, we purchased the tennis ball machine line, Ace Attack, and brought it to our headquarters in our hometown of Lancaster, PA. We conducted research, interacting with existing ball machines and engaging with market users. Our biggest takeaway: the disparity between current offerings and user needs. Players were frustrated with the limitations of traditional machines– they couldn't assess a player's position, gauge court dimensions, or replicate shots from tricky angles common in platform tennis. Finally, after three years of development and eight prototypes, we released the Volley Trainer.
The Volley Technology
Volley uses visionary software technology for ball and player tracking, as well as court positioning, assuring precision in monitoring movement on the court. The wheels make it portable, and the rechargeable battery eliminates pesky cords. Because it has an adjustable height of up to 87 inches and versatile tilt angles (-38 to 56 degrees), it can recreate intricate shots, including drives, lobs, volleys, overheads, screens, returns, and specialty shots. And it’s not just for pros; it’s also for new players who want to learn and for those who just want to use racquet sports to get a good workout.
Our mobile app offers a range of tools seamlessly designed for players to transform their training routines. With just a few swipes on a mobile phone, users can access drills, custom workouts, recorded sessions, and detailed player statistics, empowering users to manage their own training goals. It's not just about individual progress but being a part of a community, promoting healthy competition, and connecting players to a network of like-minded people dedicated to personal improvement in their racquet sport.
The Volley Future
Volley transcended its original mission to create a better ball machine, evolving into a complete training experience. The innovation unites cutting-edge technology with practicality, revolutionizing training approaches for racquet sports and beyond.
We view responsive play as the next frontier for the Volley trainer. The trainer will leverage what it knows about a player to analyze a serve and subsequent shots and create returns customized to individual skill level. By accurately capturing player performance, the trainer will combine real-time data with a comprehensive understanding of player style to anticipate reactions, selecting more challenging response shots each time, with the intention of pushing players to excel with every shot on the court.
The people who are part of platform tennis, pickleball, and Padel are enthusiastic - and so is Volley! We know that together, we’ll continue to make great strides for the sport, and our trainer will help ensure more people can learn, play, and excel at the game we all love. #ThisisHowWeVolley