Gravity Athletics’ girls’ squad finished second at a recent tournament, but what should have been a celebration ended in chaos during a 3 p.m. match when an adult from the opposing side verbally attacked a 12–13-year-old player.
According to parents’ posts on social media, the incident began in the court and escalated quickly.
Facility owners intervened, and instead of addressing the adult who initiated the attack, staff called police and had Gravity’s coach removed for being “belligerent.”
The opposing adult left the scene before anyone could get answers. Players were shaken, parents were angry, and the team lost the match amid the disruption.
Few Are Satisfied, Others Are Not
Parents praised Gravity’s coaching staff for their handling of the situation. “This season was great as far as our coaches went,” one parent wrote.
Whitney Paige Hayes, who posted about the tournament, said she was proud of the team and their coach despite the day’s turmoil.
Other commenters referred to the adults involved as “POS adults” and stated that the episode left a bad taste after an otherwise strong season.
Several parents raised broader concerns about conduct, staffing, and officiating at games. One parent wrote that the owners “swooped in” and removed the coach despite rarely being present on the courts.
Others warned that bad habits and poor examples from adults are “very hard to unlearn” and urged families to seek better alternatives. Community responses included practical suggestions for where to play next and what could be done for the next season.
Ksriti Burch wrote, “Been in the Volleyball world a long time. The games I attended there for Nayvie and Fallyn were horrendous. Coaching, officiating, and several of the girls themselves, as well as their parents, were awful. I would definitely look elsewhere. Bad habits and poor coaching can be challenging to unlearn.”
“No recommendations, but I am so sorry your daughter had to witness that! We played a team during football season this year, and it wasn’t very good! Attacking kids, moms going down on the field to verbally attack children, and everyone in the stands for that town were absolutely irate over a peewee football game they had lost. It’s such a bad example for their children!
Commenters pointed to local recreational leagues, including IVC’s rec league and programs near Sulphur Springs and Bullard, as alternatives where parents hope adults will behave more appropriately.
