If you have an in-ground pool and want a volleyball net that actually stays put during competitive play, the Pro Volly Retrofit Pool Volleyball Kit by Dunn-Rite deserves a serious look. This is a deck-mount system designed to retrofit onto existing pools, giving you a permanent (or semi-permanent) volleyball setup without the wobble and sag that plague cheaper portable nets.
After installing it on a freeform pool and putting it through weeks of regular play, here is our detailed breakdown of what you get, how installation goes, and whether this kit is worth the investment.
What Is in the Box
The Pro Volly Retrofit kit ships with everything you need to get playing, minus the tools for installation. Here is what you will find inside:
- Two 1.5-inch powder-coated steel posts
- One 24-foot adjustable nylon net
- One pink “WaterVolly” volleyball
- Deck-mount anchor hardware (two anchors with tightening screws)
- Installation hardware and instruction guide
The included ball is serviceable for getting started, though most players will want to upgrade to a dedicated water volleyball ball before long. The net and posts, however, are where this kit really earns its keep.
Installation Process
Dunn-Rite markets this as a straightforward retrofit installation, and that is mostly accurate, with one important caveat. The system is designed to drop into standard 1.90-inch ladder anchors, which are the same sockets used for pool ladder rails. If your pool already has these anchors installed on opposite sides, setup is genuinely quick. You slide the posts into the anchors, tighten the set screws, string the net, and you are playing within about 30 minutes.
If you do not already have ladder anchors in place, the installation becomes a significantly bigger project. You will need to drill into your pool deck, set the anchors in concrete, and wait for them to cure before mounting the posts. This is not difficult work if you are handy, but it does require a hammer drill, concrete anchors, and some patience. Budget a few hours for this part plus curing time.
Our pool is a freeform S-shape, which added another layer of planning. With a rectangular pool, anchor placement is obvious. With an irregular shape, you need to think carefully about where to position the posts to get a straight net line across a playable section of the pool. We ended up mounting ours across the widest straight section, and it worked well. For guidance on court layout, our water volleyball court sizes and dimensions guide covers the standard measurements you should aim for.
One tip: before drilling anything, run a string line between your planned anchor points and make sure the net will sit where you want it. Measure twice, drill once. A good net setup guide like our how to set up a pool volleyball net article walks through the full process.
Build Quality
This is where the Pro Volly kit separates itself from budget alternatives. The powder-coated steel posts are seriously sturdy. They do not flex, wobble, or sway during play, even when an adult leans on the net or a hard spike yanks it. The powder coating has a smooth, professional finish and appears well-suited to resist corrosion from pool chemicals and weather exposure.
The net itself is a standard nylon construction with reinforced edges and a cable running through the top for tensioning. When properly tightened, the net holds its shape with zero sag across the full 24-foot span. That is a big deal because net sag is one of the most common complaints with cheaper pool volleyball systems.
The anchor hardware feels solid and the set screws grip the posts firmly. There is no play or rattle once everything is tightened down. After several weeks of regular use and a few rainstorms, nothing has loosened or degraded.
Net Tension and Height Adjustability
The 24-foot net width accommodates most residential in-ground pools comfortably. For standard water volleyball court dimensions, you want the net sitting about 6 to 12 inches above the water surface, and this system makes that easy to achieve.
Height is adjusted by sliding the posts up or down in the deck anchors before tightening the set screws. This gives you a usable range that works for both adult play and kid-friendly games at a lower height. The net tension is controlled by the top cable, which threads through the net and attaches to hooks on each post. Pull it tight, secure it, and the net stays taut throughout your game.
We found the tensioning system simple and effective. The net held its shape across multiple sessions without needing re-tightening. That reliability matters when you just want to walk out, set up in five minutes, and start playing.
Stability During Play
Rock solid. That is really the best way to describe it. Because the posts are anchored directly into the pool deck rather than sitting in weighted bases, there is essentially no movement during play. Hard spikes, net grabs, stray ball hits — none of it shifted the posts or caused the net to go slack.
This is the single biggest advantage deck-mount systems have over portable weighted-base alternatives. If you have played with a GoSports or similar portable net, you know the frustration of posts shifting mid-game or tipping after an aggressive play. The Pro Volly eliminates that entirely.
The tradeoff, of course, is permanence. Those deck anchors are drilled into your pool deck, so you are committing to the placement. You can remove the posts and net anytime (the posts just slide out of the anchors), but the anchors themselves are staying put.
What Pool Types It Works With
The Pro Volly Retrofit is designed specifically for in-ground pools with a concrete, stone, or paver deck. The anchor system requires a solid surface to drill into, so it will not work with above-ground pools or pools with wooden decks that cannot support the anchor hardware. If you have an above-ground pool, check out our guide to pool volleyball nets for above-ground pools for better options.
Pool shape matters too. Rectangular pools are the easiest fit since you can mount the anchors on opposite sides for a straight net run. Freeform, kidney-shaped, and L-shaped pools work fine as long as you can identify a section with enough straight distance between opposite deck edges. The 24-foot net is generous enough to span most residential pools.
Depth is worth considering as well. Ideally, the playing area should be waist to chest deep for adult players. Too shallow and the game is not fun. Too deep and players cannot jump or move effectively. Most pools have a section in the 3.5 to 5 foot range that works perfectly.
How It Compares to Other Nets
Against portable weighted-base systems like the GoSports Splash Net Pro or Poolmaster nets, the Pro Volly wins on stability and net tension by a wide margin. Deck-mounted posts simply do not move the way weighted bases can. The net stays tighter, the playing experience feels more like real volleyball, and you spend zero time repositioning equipment mid-game.
The downside versus portable nets is flexibility. Weighted-base systems can be set up at the lake, moved to different pools, or stored away completely when not in use. The Pro Volly is committed to one location. If you primarily play at your own pool and want the best possible experience, the deck-mount approach is worth it. If you need portability, look at the alternatives in our best pool volleyball nets roundup.
Price-wise, the Pro Volly sits in the mid-to-upper range for residential pool volleyball systems. It costs more than basic portable nets but less than commercial-grade permanent installations. For the build quality and stability you get, we think it represents solid value.
Pros
- Steel posts are extremely sturdy with no flex or wobble during play
- Powder coating resists corrosion from pool chemicals and weather
- 24-foot adjustable net holds tension with zero sag
- Quick setup and teardown once deck anchors are installed
- Height adjustable for different age groups and skill levels
- Deck-mount design eliminates the shifting common with weighted-base nets
Cons
- Installation requires drilling into pool deck, which is a permanent modification
- Significantly more involved setup if you do not have existing ladder anchors
- Not portable — committed to one pool location
- Included ball is basic and most players will want an upgrade
- Only works with in-ground pools that have a solid deck surface
Verdict
The Pro Volly Retrofit Pool Volleyball Kit by Dunn-Rite is an excellent choice for anyone who wants a reliable, semi-permanent volleyball setup at their in-ground pool. The build quality is genuinely impressive, the net stays tight, and the deck-mount stability makes for a much better playing experience than portable alternatives.
The installation commitment is the main consideration. If you are willing to drill into your pool deck (or already have ladder anchors in place), this kit delivers a noticeably superior experience to portable options. If you want something you can move around or take to different locations, a portable system from our best pool volleyball nets guide might be a better fit.
For a dedicated home pool volleyball setup, the Pro Volly Retrofit earns a strong recommendation. Pair it with a quality water volleyball ball and grab some friends. For more on choosing the right equipment, browse our water volleyball equipment guide.
Find it on Amazon.