club and high school volleyball

[a volleyball parent]

As a parent relatively new to volleyball can someone please describe the differences between high school and club volleyball teams? Who runs club volleyball? How does one signup for club teams?

[Skip]

Here's a really brief summary:

The Club (aka Junior Olympic, aka Select) season begins right after the State Finals in November and runs for 6 months +/-. It's broken down into age groups from 12's to 18's and involves practices during the week and weekend tournaments. There are variations in the Clubs in regards to commitment of time and/or money but suffice it to say that the player (and parent) needs to have a real commitment to the sport. If your youngin' isn't looking for that kind of commitment but still wants to participate in the sport after the school season, there are recreational league options also. Just find the best fit for your kid.

Montgomery County is primarily served by 3 Clubs and you can get a slew of info from their websites (in alphabetical order):
COT (http://www.championsoftomorrow.com)
Metro American (http://www.mavbc.org)
MVSA (http://www.mvsavbc.org)

There are others nearby. For a full listing of area Clubs, see the Regional webpage (http://www.chrvajuniors.org/jr_index.cfm)

Also, talk to parents of your daughter's teammates that have played on a club team. We'd be happy to give you all kinds of unvarnished info!

[Scott Zanni]

Skip's answer pretty much sums it up, especially the part about making a commitment. I would add two other comments (disclaimer: I am not a part of any of the girls club programs in the region):

1. The three clubs that Skip listed all have very different philosophies, costs and coaching styles. In many cases these differences are not small. In some counties there really is only one club so this isn't as much of an issue. For example, in Howard County, Columbia Volleyball Club is where most kids play and the coaching staff comes heavily from the local high schools (as a result their kids play year round together on the same teams which is likely one of the reasons Howard County has had so much success in volleyball, but that is another topic for another day). However, in Montgomery County there really are three clubs and they all operate very differently. One is not necessarily better than another, but a parent should examine the differences to see what fits best for them and the needs of their child.

2. There is no direct relationship between any of the high schools and the three club programs that Skip listed. However, at many schools where the varsity coach also coaches club volleyball, the players from that school tend to only play for the club their coach works for during club volleyball season. I have no idea whether these players are "steered" to one club program over another or if it simply is a result of the players liking their high school coaching and then wanting to play in the same coaching environment. Either way, I agree with Skip's comment about asking your daughter's teammates. However, depending on the school, you may only have access to information about one club (or in some cases none). Again, my advice would be for parents to check out the clubs websites and talk to the directors of each program to gain more insight.

Club coordinators are more than welcome to post their tryout information and any other pertinent information about their programs.

[wmvbmom]

If your daughter is interested in playing club volleyball, many of the local clubs are offering clinics open to all. This will give your child and you a taste of the coaching style and philosophy of that club. I know of at least 3 that are offering fall clinics: MVSA, Metro American, and Maryland Juniors.

It's also good to look at the CHRVA site, our area in Junior Olympics, (http://www.chrvajuniors.org/jr_index.cfm).

Some run recreation leagues that you could go observe and see how the club/players work. Don't forget there are some local recreation leagues if you're not ready for a club. I know Gaithersburg recreation Dept. runs one.

There are some clinics that run year round too. They can cost as much as joining a club, but may match needs for the time.

Another important thing to consider other than time, money, coaching, philosophy is location. You should find out where the practices are, how many times a week, how many tournaments, how many travel tournaments. Lots of folks carpool.

Playing time is another thing to really look for. Most of the clubs have a couple of levels of teams at each age group. You have to match your child's needs/wants with a team. Teams will have try-outs and make offers, but if you don't think/want your child on a team that you know she won't get playing time on the court, consider playing on the 2nd or 3rd team. There she might learn a lot and get lots of court time to develop her court sense.

Focus on your daughter needs not your own needs. Not every club team is after winning only success is measured in a lot of other ways.

Don't underestimate the time commitment though. Season runs through Memorial Day, at least, and most 3 day weekend holidays have big tournaments. If you or your daughter is not ready for the time needed to support the club team you get on, that spot could've gone to someone that was dying for it.

[Skip]

Another source of info: MVSA has a pre-season parent/player informational meeting on Sunday, Nov. 2nd at 7:30 PM at Lake Marion Community Center in Montgomery Village. You can get more details about the program, meet the coaches, ask questions and talk to other parents.

[marym]

CHAMPIONS OF TOMMOROW VOLLEYBALL CLUB TRYOUTS


MULTIPLE TRY-OUT OPPORTUNITIES
You may come to either or both of the tryouts for your age group:

Monday November 17th from 5:00-7:00 –
14 and under – in Middle School or younger
* girls who are currently in high school may not try out until the
completion of the MPSSAA state championships

Wednedsay November 19th from 5:00-7:00 – 15/16 yr olds
* 9th graders who may be age-eligible to play 14s are welcome to
come on this date

Wednesday, November 19th from 7:00 – 9:00 – 17/18 yr olds

Sunday, November 23rd from
8:00 am - 10:00 for 14 and under
10:00 - 11:30 for 17/18s
12:00 – 2:00 for 15/16s



We will also offer some skills clinic sessions prior to tryouts:
Thursday November 6th and Thursday November 13th from
5:00 – 7:00 pm

The $25 tryout fee will cover attendance at multiple tryout sessions and will be credited toward the club dues if a player accepts a position on one of our teams

All of these events will take place at Champions Field House – www.championsfieldhouse.com

If you have questions, please email [e-mail] or you can ask me, mary, at [e-mail].

[wmvbmom]

Metro American Volleyball Club Try-outs are posted:

Metro has Travel teams & 3 regional teams:
North= northern Montgomery/Frederick/Howard Counties
Central=southern Montgomery County/PG/DC
South= Northern Virginia

Try-outs:
11/1 & 11/8 - 14 & younger Travel/Central Teams Ritchie Park ES 8th grade & younger
11/18 - 15-18 Travel teams/Central teams American University Bender Gym
11/20 - North Teams Damascus HS

For more specific information and answers to your potential questions see:
www.mavbc.org/

Cost is $35 - t-shirt and applies to fees

All coaches have played volleyball and Travel coaches coach or have coached at College level.

Do your research to find the best fit for you and your child. Each area club is different.

[vanlowe]

MVSA Volleyball Club update. You can get more information on the website www.mvsavbc.org.

The information below pertains to the MVSA tryouts for club season. There is an informational meeting so you can find out more about Club volleyball:

Parent/Player informational meeting at 7:30 PM on Sunday November 2, 2008 at Lake Marion Community Center in Montgomery Village, MD. Come to hear more details about the program, meet the coaches, talk to other parents who have daughters that have participated, and get your questions answered.

Select tryout schedule:
Sunday Nov 16 - Lake Marion
12 Under 11:30 - 1:30

13 Under 1:45 - 4:00

14 Under 4:15 - 7:00

Saturday Nov 22 - Victory Youth Ctr
15 Under 9:00 - 12:00

16 Under 12:15 - 3:15

17/18 Under 3:30 - 6:30

[vanlowe]

Also there is no fee to tryout for MVSA!