Club Volleyball: Help my daughter choose a team. Play time or coaching?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Which NVVA team? They have gone through major changes recently and I would be hesitant if you have other offers.

As for the other two, I’d pick the one where she will get playing time unless the commute for Libero is really too far.

NVVA Green. What are the changes?

NVVA announced a major overhaul and changes to their entire program in the fall. Their top team used to be called “XP” and entered more competitive tournaments. Now every team is part of the XP program and all teams are local or regional and they raised the prices. It could be okay if you are looking for a regional team and willing to pay those prices. It’s very expensive. They are not a part of the Chesapeake region so you will be different tournaments than everyone else.

That makes eo much sense, now. It was weird that their tryouts were at a different time and they weren't listed on the Chesapeake Valley results. Why are they so expensive? Like what are you getting for the extra money?

My daughter played for them last year and chose not to return this year. They are giving less and charging more. She tried out for other teams.

But there are some great coaches. We have great things to say about one of the 15 green coaches, if that is the team you are considering.

Yes U15 green. Thanks, that's helpful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter received three offers: NVVA, VAA, and Libero regional.

VAA: Her first choice was VAA. She really likes the coach and the team and they have three practices a week, as opposed to the others which only offer two. But, she just learned that she will be the 3rd string setter, which I think means she would essentially be a practice player.

Libero Regionals: She would be 1st setter, but they only have practice twice a week and have far fewer tournaments. She also felt like the level of play wasn't super competitive (just based on tryouts). She wants to be on a team that challenges her. Significantly farther from us than the other two.

NVVA: This was her "safety club." She really likes the coaches here but feels that it's not "a real club team" whatever that means. It's also significantly more expensive than the other teams.

Her goals are to get better and play as much volleyball as possible because it's her favorite thing in the world.

I know we are super lucky to have any offers at all (she got zero last year). Any club insight or criteria you all are using to make your decision would be most appreciated.

I'd choose the VAA offer. Practicing more often (and with better players) and playing on a more competitive team will lead to more improvement then getting more playing time at a less competitive regional team. Not sure what age group your DD is, but looking at AES rankings it seems like VAA teams were more competitive than Libero.

As others have noted, there are too many unknowns for NVVA. It's possible to create a tournament schedule with only JVA and AAU tournaments, but it's going to be a very different experience than at other local clubs. Seems like too big a risk if it's also expensive.

Thanks, that's good feedback. Yes I think I'm leaning toward VAA. I think it comes down to does she want to get better or does she just want to play. I guess I'm supposed to leave this decision up to her, lol. I see how easy it is to become an over-involved NOVA parent. It's a slippery slope.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter received three offers: NVVA, VAA, and Libero regional.

VAA: Her first choice was VAA. She really likes the coach and the team and they have three practices a week, as opposed to the others which only offer two. But, she just learned that she will be the 3rd string setter, which I think means she would essentially be a practice player.

Libero Regionals: She would be 1st setter, but they only have practice twice a week and have far fewer tournaments. She also felt like the level of play wasn't super competitive (just based on tryouts). She wants to be on a team that challenges her. Significantly farther from us than the other two.

NVVA: This was her "safety club." She really likes the coaches here but feels that it's not "a real club team" whatever that means. It's also significantly more expensive than the other teams.

Her goals are to get better and play as much volleyball as possible because it's her favorite thing in the world.

I know we are super lucky to have any offers at all (she got zero last year). Any club insight or criteria you all are using to make your decision would be most appreciated.

I'd choose the VAA offer. Practicing more often (and with better players) and playing on a more competitive team will lead to more improvement then getting more playing time at a less competitive regional team. Not sure what age group your DD is, but looking at AES rankings it seems like VAA teams were more competitive than Libero.

As others have noted, there are too many unknowns for NVVA. It's possible to create a tournament schedule with only JVA and AAU tournaments, but it's going to be a very different experience than at other local clubs. Seems like too big a risk if it's also expensive.

Not the OP, but this seems to be a lot of money to warm the bench during tournaments. The way I see it, practice is just half of the package and it would be a shame to spend so much money for half of the experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter received three offers: NVVA, VAA, and Libero regional.

VAA: Her first choice was VAA. She really likes the coach and the team and they have three practices a week, as opposed to the others which only offer two. But, she just learned that she will be the 3rd string setter, which I think means she would essentially be a practice player.

Libero Regionals: She would be 1st setter, but they only have practice twice a week and have far fewer tournaments. She also felt like the level of play wasn't super competitive (just based on tryouts). She wants to be on a team that challenges her. Significantly farther from us than the other two.

NVVA: This was her "safety club." She really likes the coaches here but feels that it's not "a real club team" whatever that means. It's also significantly more expensive than the other teams.

Her goals are to get better and play as much volleyball as possible because it's her favorite thing in the world.

I know we are super lucky to have any offers at all (she got zero last year). Any club insight or criteria you all are using to make your decision would be most appreciated.

We've done the practice player thing before. It is no fun.
I'd choose the VAA offer. Practicing more often (and with better players) and playing on a more competitive team will lead to more improvement then getting more playing time at a less competitive regional team. Not sure what age group your DD is, but looking at AES rankings it seems like VAA teams were more competitive than Libero.

As others have noted, there are too many unknowns for NVVA. It's possible to create a tournament schedule with only JVA and AAU tournaments, but it's going to be a very different experience than at other local clubs. Seems like too big a risk if it's also expensive.

Not the OP, but this seems to be a lot of money to warm the bench during tournaments. The way I see it, practice is just half of the package and it would be a shame to spend so much money for half of the experience.