Is there a shortage of 17’s/18’s Volleyball players this year?

[Anonymous]

I heard that several clubs (mid-range to low) are having hard time to field their U17 and U18. Understanding that U18 has been tough because kids start quitting VB club in senior year, but 17”s ?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I heard that several clubs (mid-range to low) are having hard time to field their U17 and U18. Understanding that U18 has been tough because kids start quitting VB club in senior year, but 17”s ?

People quit club volleyball after they did not make their high school varsity team in their junior year, that is 17u.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I heard that several clubs (mid-range to low) are having hard time to field their U17 and U18. Understanding that U18 has been tough because kids start quitting VB club in senior year, but 17”s ?

It is pretty typical. The number of players in 17s decreases by ~50% vs. 16s. And by ~50% again at 18s. That's why a lot of clubs run combined 17/18 teams and why the 17s and 18s with college ball in their future tend to consolidate into about 10 clubs, with a heavy consolidation in 5.

[Anonymous]

Add to that the new "Metro National U17s" group and that also probably took away a good number of DMV 17 yr olds for this season. That's no comment on the quality of that team, since it's brand new, but reports from those who tried out were that there was a good number of girls trying out for it.