The Roster Rewind with Prevail Alumni Colby Arvensen

From Tryouts to First Serve

Every journey starts somewhere—and for Colby Arvensen, it began with a bold step onto the court at his very first Prevail tryout.

“Best decision of my life,” he says, reflecting on the moment that changed his future.

Today, Colby is a freshman starter at Eastern University, helping lead his team to its first winning season in program history—an achievement that speaks to the kind of impact he brings to the court.

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Lessons From the Herd

If there’s one memory that stands out from his first season, it’s not just the competition or the road trips—it’s Coach Greg, decked out in a cow costume, cheering loud at every tournament.

But beyond the laughs and the fun, Prevail gave Colby something deeper: experience.
Traveling to tournaments, seeing different styles of play, and getting invited to train with top teams elevated both his perspective and skill.

“Practicing with the better teams helped me improve a lot.”

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A Coach, A Friend, A Libero

While Colby built friendships across the club, Coach Mador left a lasting impression.

“He coached me for two years, and he was more like a friend. Since he was a libero, he taught me a lot of good passing techniques.”

It’s a bond that continues even now—proof that the Prevail experience lasts long after the last whistle.

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Eyes on the Next Level

The first moment Colby realized college volleyball might be in reach?

“When Coach Clark told me his sons were watching me at practice to see if I was good enough to play at SVU.”

From there, everything shifted. He didn’t need to go looking for opportunity—recruiters found him at Prevail-hosted tournaments. And while his team at Eastern is building its legacy, they’ve already made a mark by competing against some of the best in the region.

“We brought our school to its first winning record—15-14. That’s the most wins Eastern has ever had.”

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Student. Athlete. Grinder.

Balancing academics and athletics wasn’t always easy, but Colby built a schedule that worked for him. And while volleyball took priority, his grades stayed strong.

What helped the most? Constant play.

“If you want to succeed, you have to do more than just practice and games. I was always playing outside or grass because I wanted to get better.”

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Once Prevail, Always Prevail

For Colby, being a Prevail alum means being part of something bigger than a team. It means growth, connection, and never forgetting where it all started.

“This was the first place I ever played volleyball.”

Today, he’s still tied to the community—playing with current athletes on the grass, stopping
by high school open gyms, and staying in touch with Prevail coaches. And as he looks ahead, coaching is part of the plan.

“I’ve coached a little already, and I definitely see myself doing it in the future.”

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Quick Hits

🏐 College: Eastern University
🎖 Highlight: Starting as a freshman & helping Eastern reach their first winning record
💬 Advice: “Do more than just practice and games. Play everywhere. Play often.”
🎁 Biggest surprise in college? “All the free stuff.”