Local volleyball spikes growth

Tampa investor, businessman and philanthropist Bob Gries wants to help bring some national attention to the area's youth volleyball teams.

His first step: a $1 million donation for the Tampa United Volleyball Club, which will fund more than half of the total cost of the program for each athlete, according to a release. The donation will also provide full scholarships for athletes who don't have the resources to pay any fees.

Gries, who once owned the Arena Football League's Tampa Bay Storm, has supported youth volleyball in Tampa for several years. He's worked with Tampa and Hillsborough County officials on building an indoor youth sports facility that would focus on volleyball, basketball and wrestling.
Gries also merged a team he founded with the Tampa United Volleyball Club.