Bryon Larson, whose Dynasty Volleyball Club in Kansas City, Kansas, is one of the most elite in the nation, points out that the skill sets for the two sports are similar.

"We're competing for the same athlete: lean, long, fast-twitch kids," he said. "That's the dream prototype player."

Courtesy Stanford

Kathryn Plummer stands 6-foot-6 and could post up and score with the best of them on a basketball court.

A decade ago, volleyball youth programs were scarce. Larson started his club in 2009 as a feeder system for the high school team he was coaching. Eight years later, the club fields 25 teams.

"We can't field enough teams," he said. "I could add six or seven more, but for me, it's a matter of trying to be Macy's -- not Walmart."