Volleyball is a challenging sport because it requires both muscular strength -- for serving and striking the ball -- and muscular endurance -- for maintaining speed, strength and agility over the course of the entire match or practice. While physical conditioning is vital for volleyball success, nutrition can impact your performance as well. Try to experiment with nutritional changes prior to practices rather than games to avoid disappointing performances.

Because volleyball requires muscular strength, you can support your performance by eating protein-rich foods. Protein provides the building blocks for muscle, and foods such as cottage cheese contain high levels of protein with little fat. In addition, consuming fruits can be beneficial, as fruits provide simple carbohydrates that offer quickly absorbed energy. Most fruits also contain fiber, which can keep you full during practice.

Consuming oatmeal can be beneficial for volleyball players because it provides complex carbohydrates, which are absorbed gradually by your body and can provide energy over a long period of time. Oatmeal is also rich in fiber, which will keep you from getting hungry during practice. Egg-white omelets are rich in protein and contain little fat.

Like oatmeal, bread provides complex carbohydrates to support sustained energy during volleyball practice. Almond butter provides healthy fats, which can keep you feeling full, as well as vitamin E. Orange juice offers carbohydrates and vitamin C. These two vitamins may aid your recovery and future performance, as a study from the December 2006 issue of the "Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition" found that consumption of vitamin C and E reduced muscle damage associated with exercise.

Chicken is a low-cost, low-fat source of protein that can support your working muscles during volleyball practice. Brown rice is a source of complex carbohydrates that can provide energy for your performance. Both chicken and brown rice are plain, so you can have this meal often by varying the seasonings and spices. Season dishes with oregano and Parmesan for an Italian flair, or add salsa and cheddar for a Mexican-style meal.