Inside Jacksonville Skyline Volleyball: What Sets Our Club Apart

When families look for a volleyball club in Jacksonville FL, they want clarity. They want to understand who is training their athlete, what the long-term plan looks like, and whether the environment will help their child grow. In our latest interview, Co-Director Hugh Hernesman walks through the story behind Jacksonville Skyline Volleyball, the philosophy that guides our training, and why our approach has helped us grow from only a few teams to one of the most trusted clubs in Northeast Florida.

This recap highlights the key themes from the conversation and gives parents a clear sense of who we are, what we do, and what makes Skyline different.

The interview opens with the question every parent eventually asks: Why did you start the club? Hugh shares that after more than 20 years coaching at the college level, he and Steph were looking for a way to continue pouring into athletes without the burnout and instability of college coaching. They saw a gap in the Jacksonville area between the level of training available and the level of training required to reach collegiate volleyball.

So they started Skyline with one focus: create a place where athletes could receive consistent, college-caliber training from coaches who have actually coached and recruited at that level.

One of the central questions in the conversation was: What separates Skyline’s development model from other youth programs?

Hugh breaks it down clearly:

• Master Training: Every athlete, on every team, is trained under the same teaching system and skill progression. This eliminates the guesswork and inconsistency that often happens when each coach runs their own plan.
• College-Style Systems: The training methods Skyline uses are the same systems Hugh and Steph built and used at Hardin-Simmons, Northwestern State, and Clemson. Parents get peace of mind knowing their athlete is learning skills the right way, not shortcuts that disappear at higher levels.
• Process Over Results: Athletes are encouraged to make mistakes because mistakes are the doorway to real improvement. It’s a development-first environment, not a win-at-all-costs culture.

This structure is one of the biggest reasons Skyline teams consistently earn bids to Girls Junior National Championships.

Another question asked in the interview was: How does owning your facility change the athlete experience?

Hugh explains that being the only volleyball club in Jacksonville FL with a fully owned, eight-court facility gives their athletes something most clubs can’t offer: consistency.
No outside renters, no juggling gym time, no last-minute schedule changes.
Parents know what to expect.
Athletes know they have room to grow.
Coaches know they can follow a complete training plan without interruptions.

The facility also houses Skyline’s dedicated Performance and Strength program, which is fully integrated into training for all teams. Check out the Jax Skyline Facility.

One of the most valuable parts of the conversation centers around recruiting, because the question always comes: How do we help our athletes play in college?

Hugh shares how his 22 years recruiting at every level of college volleyball shaped Skyline’s approach. Families receive real guidance from someone who has been on the decision-making side of college rosters. The interview highlights the specific ways Skyline supports athletes, including exposure opportunities, honest communication, and teaching parents how the process truly works.

The results speak for themselves: dozens of college commitments, athletes placed across every level, and a growing alumni base. View our recruiting page for more info.

The interview closes with questions about Skyline’s culture and what makes families stay. Hugh talks about the heart behind the club:

• Athletes are expected to be great teammates.
• Effort, gratitude, and character matter just as much as physical skills.
• Communication with families is clear, consistent, and grounded in honesty.

Parents often tell Skyline that what surprised them most wasn’t just the training, it was the relationships and the environment their kids stepped into. Learn more about Jax Skyline culture.

Choosing a volleyball club in Jacksonville FL is a big decision. This interview gives families a transparent look into the values, systems, and people behind Jacksonville Skyline Volleyball. If you want your athlete in an environment built on teaching, consistency, and genuine care for long-term development, this conversation is worth watching.