The Pearland Volleyball Classic was started back in 1998 by John Turner, Head Volleyball Coach at Pearland High School. The first tournament hosted 24 teams from across the area and state. The tournament has now grown to an impressive 76 team field. It has been recognized as the largest high school volleyball tournament in the country for the past three years.

The tournament has also generated close to $11,000.00 in Cancer Research Funds for MD Anderson Cancer Center since 1998. The fundraiser for the tournament was established in memory of a longtime volleyball coach at Lamar University and UT San Antonio Katrinka Jo Crawford. “She was such an inspiration to me and other coaches in the volleyball community and we as coaches wanted to somehow give something back to fight this dreaded disease that took our dear friends life”.

The Pearland ISD Administration has been a tremendous asset by allowing us to host such a prestigious event here in the Pearland area. Dr. Bonny Cain, Superintendent of Pearland ISD, has been a staunch supporter of this tournament and wants what is best for our student/athletes in Pearland ISD and those across the state. “I really cannot express the gratitude that we owe to Dr. Cain for giving us the green light to continue to grow with this tournament and make it the “Best of the Best”.

The teams that are competing at the tournament come from all parts of the State of Texas. We also have 22 out of the top 25 ranked teams in the lonestarvolleyball.com rankings. Austin Westlake has won the tournament 8 times out of the 10 years that we have hosted the event.

We hope that all of you enjoy your visit to Pearland and the surrounding areas that have so much to offer. Enjoy the high caliber volleyball and good luck to all that are participating!

John Turner
Head Volleyball Coach
Pearland High School