Peak Performance: New Volleyball Club Launches in East Mountains

EAST MOUNTAINS — To bridge a gap for young athletes in the East Mountain area, East Mountain High School junior varsity volleyball coach Rikki Garma has officially launched a new competitive organization: East Mountain Peak Volleyball Club.

The domestic nonprofit, filed with the state this spring, aims to keep local talent close to home while lowering the travel burden and high costs typically associated with club volleyball in the region.

“A big part of it was there’s a ton of kids out here who can play, and they’re traveling into Albuquerque at God knows what hour, twice or three times a week,” Garma said. “The cost of club is just, honestly, ridiculous… I thought it was pretty crazy for kids who live out here and go to school out here to have to travel so much just to practice.”

Garma, who previously coached club volleyball in Hawaii for eight years and played collegiate volleyball at El Camino College and Lewis University, moved to New Mexico during the COVID-19 pandemic to assist family. Upon arriving, he joined East Mountain High School’s coaching staff, starting with the C-team before taking over the JV squad.

Seeing potential across the East Mountain communities — stretching from Cedar Crest to Estancia — Garma teamed up with local coaches, including East Mountain High Athletic Director Kasi Giovenco and Coach Claire Rose, to turn a long-discussed idea into a reality.

“It’s two or three years in the making,” Garma said. “We have a solid group of freshmen and sophomores who want to explore their chances of volleyball after high school. I got a lot of support from parents and coaches.”

Programs and Structure

For its inaugural season, East Mountain Peak Volleyball Club will field three travel teams for girls competing in the Sun Country region of USA Volleyball:

• 12U–13U Team: Led by Head Coach Eliza Fowler.
• 15U Team (14s & 15s): Led by Head Coach Claire Rose.
• 17U Team: Led by Head Coach Rikki Garma.

Boys under age 14 are eligible to participate in the age-appropriate competitive divisions per Sun Country regional regulations.

In addition to competitive travel teams, the club is launching “Basecamp,” an academy-style development program designed for younger children or those looking to learn fundamentals without the full commitment of travel ball. Basecamp sessions will run bi-monthly on Saturdays from October through May.

“We want to get those young kids in the gym early as well,” Garma said. “I’ve gotten a lot of emails and interest from seven- and eight-year-olds who just want to learn.”

Tryout Details

Tryouts for the competitive club teams will take place Saturday, Aug. 15, at Estancia Valley Classical Academy (EVCA), located at 110 NM-344 in Edgewood.

• 12U–13U: 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
• 15U: 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
• 17U: 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

The tryout fee is $20 cash for walk-ins, with a $2 surcharge for online pre-registration.

Garma noted that tryouts will feature both player-run and coach-led drills, focusing on skill, speed, volleyball IQ, and athlete attitude.

“We’re looking for not just athletes, but coachable kids — super open-minded athletes who just want to be around and are good teammates,” Garma said.

Athletes unable to attend the Aug. 15 tryouts can contact the club directly to arrange a makeup tryout prior to the Oct. 1 roster finalization deadline.

How to Register

• Website: www.eastmountainpeak.com
• Phone / Text: (505) 808-9918
• Email: empeakvbc@gmail.com
• Social Media: @eastmountainpeak on Instagram and Facebook