Baden collaborates with AU athletes on new volleyball

The Volleyball Player Executive Committee (PEC), which features five athletes who work on all aspects of the league, led the project. The Volleyball PEC includes Molly McCage, Tori Dixon, Taylor Bruns Tegenrot, Alisha Childress, and Erin Fairs.

The group began by identifying balls they’ve played with throughout their pro careers at the international level like FIVB and the Olympics, which use different volleyball brands and designs.

“We were able to compare and contrast to level set on what’s ideal because there’s a server’s ball and there’s a passer’s ball – so where do you want to fall in line with that based on the feel, touch, and the way that it moves in the air? It was cool to have that conversation,” Childress, chairperson of the PEC, said.

Top-tier professionalism was the biggest priority for the PEC and AU. Any volleyball an athlete uses changes from one to the next, from feel to how it falls. As a setter, Childress especially notices how it feels in and off her hands.

“We all just have to level set… once you’re adjusted, a ball is a ball, but it does take some minor adjustments.”

To the eye, the Baden ball has a neon yellow and blue color pattern to accompany the traditional white. To the touch, it’s soft with small divot details across the synthetic outer shell. It features the AU logo in black with gold detailing.

“We were very excited to have something that looks and feels very much like the AU brand,” Childress said. “It’s different than any other volleyball out there, which I think is really cool.

In a statement about the partnership, Baden said: “This collaboration with Athletes Unlimited on the Matrix ball was extra special because this ball is intended for use at the very top end of the volleyball game. So, to have feedback from the top volleyball players in the world was magical. We tested this product with many types of volleyball players – men’s programs, collegiate programs, even general volleyball enthusiasts, but the direct collaboration with top professionals in the sport really helped this product cross the finish line. We are thrilled that it is being unveiled with Athletes Unlimited.”

Baden’s mission is to “create products athletes love, inspiring play in all we do.” It is central to their product design development process. The company’s standard centers around the athlete’s love for the product. If it misses that mark then it’s not ready for production.

This resonated with Childress and the PEC. She felt like the collaboration took things further than just selling AU on using a Baden ball this season but emphasized wanting to be a part of the legacy of women’s pro volleyball.

“The fact that they’re saying, ‘Hey, you’re a professional sport and you deserve your own ball and you deserve to have it look and feel the way that you want because it’s important’,” Childress said. “I think that that power is really, really cool. I’m grateful to have been on the PEC to be part of those conversations.”

Savanna Collins is the Senior Reporter at Athletes Unlimited. You can follow her on Twitter @savannaecollins.