PHOTO GALLERY | In 48th year, Greater Johnstown Volleyball Club's Roxbury Summer League still sizzles
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – Nearly five decades ago, through a grassroots effort and local leadership, the Greater Johnstown Volleyball Club's Roxbury Summer League debuted on one sawdust court.
Through the years, the league and the courts at Roxbury Park have evolved.
This year, 102 teams consisting of 1,400 players – men and women, boys and girls – compete in seven divisions in the Roxbury Summer League.
PHOTO GALLERY | Greater Johnstown Volleyball Club
"The youngest player is 11 and the oldest is 67," said Josh Galasso, serving in his seventh year as the summer league director.
"The atmosphere makes it special," added Galasso, watching teams play on four of the five courts Thursday night as the league's 48th season continued.
"We try to keep it laid back. We try to keep it so they're having fun. They can come here and enjoy it. Everything is instantaneous – standings, results – everything is right there at their fingertips."
Kayla Grosholz, 29, is in her fourth summer in the league, which had a significant role in her marriage to husband Michael. The couple even celebrated their first anniversary June 7 on the court.
Michelle Kush
Michelle Kush of Friendly City Box Co. passes to a teammate during a Greater Johnstown Volleyball Club game at Roxbury Park in Johnstown, PA., Thursday, June 25, 2026.
"The first time I ever played on my husband's team was here," said Kayla Grosholz, a Shanksville-Stonycreek High School graduate. "Our relationship blossomed quickly. We love coming here for tournaments and leagues. I've made so many friends here.
"It changed my life in so many ways. I absolutely love it."
Kayla Grosholz played on Wagner's Maple Products in Thursday night's three-set sweep over Spike Tyson.
She doesn't miss a match. Not even to celebrate a milestone.
"There was a tournament scheduled on our very first anniversary this year," Kayla Grosholz said. "We ended up winning thanks to our teammates, who were amazing. They helped us take the championship on our anniversary, which was really special."
Special is an appropriate description of the Roxbury Summer League and its foundation built by local volleyball icons and Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association Hall of Fame members Don Civis and Denny Cruse.
Bella Grecek, Andrea Reese
Bella Grecek (right) of Ace's II fields a shot from Friendly City Box Co. in front of teammate Andrea Reese during a Greater Johnstown Volleyball Club game at Roxbury Park in Johnstown, PA., Thursday, June 25, 2026.
Civis was the longtime GJVC president, and Cruse was director of the Roxbury Summer League for many years. Their determination and visionary approach built the league – literally.
In 1978, the Greater Johnstown Volleyball Club constructed the first court at Roxbury Park. The volunteers did the work by hand.
Two years later, the City of Johnstown used heavy equipment to install two additional courts.
In 1983, the club and the city teamed to construct the final two courts at Roxbury Park – five total. Using money raised through charging teams to participate in the league, the club installed lights on all five courts.
"To see that tradition Donnie and Denny put together and made in Johnstown means so much," Galasso said of Civis and Cruse. "They were pioneers of volleyball in Johnstown.
"To keep that going and allow everybody the opportunity, and to still see everybody smiling, to have people come up nightly or weekly and say, ‘Hey, this is the best thing.' "
Greater Johnstown Volleyball Club President Tony Crisafulli, the longtime North Star High School coach and PVCA Hall of Fame member, praised the work of the first generation – Civis and Cruse – while crediting the current group led by Galasso for building on the foundation.
"It was down to 43 teams the first year (of the transition), the COVID year," Galasso said. "This year, we're up to 102 teams."
Madison Daniels
Madison Daniels of Ace's sends a shot over to Friendly City Box Co. during a Greater Johnstown Volleyball Club game at Roxbury Park in Johnstown, PA., Thursday, June 25, 2026.
The league includes men's and women's competition Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, with an occasional Friday date.
"This year, we have six or seven tournaments on weekends," Galasso said.
In addition to the adult divisions, the league includes both junior high and high school competition, which provides student-athletes an opportunity to prepare for the girls fall season or the boys spring schedule.
Brianna Bray is an assistant junior high volleyball coach at Westmont Hilltop School District. She plays in the Roxbury Summer League and also watches the Hilltoppers' junior high players who compete.
"For us just moving to fall ball at the junior high level, it's helped us get our team together a little bit earlier and get them back into the groove of things," Bray said. "The season kicks off in August and our league here ends at the end of July."
The GJVC officers, volunteers and players continue to make upgrades, both large and small. One of the bigger projects included the installation of light emitting diode lights to replace the original and outdated lighting.
"The Greater Johnstown Volleyball Club is responsible for taking care of our volleyball courts," Galasso said. "We just had new lights installed and that all came from the club. The lights were 47 years old and it was time to upgrade those.
"We replaced 29 of those.
"We're slowly upgrading everything – new nets, new balls."
Mike Mastovich is a sports reporter and columnist for The Tribune-Democrat. He can be reached at 814-532-5083. Follow him on Twitter @Masty81.
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