Volleyball info

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can anyone speak to the next tier down/other tiers of clubs? OP said her relative was "a pretty decent player"-- that may not mean college-bound, top tier club player. I know there was a thread that covered some of this last year, but would be good to get some current insights. DD played for ST J last season and we are looking for something else this year. The facility was certainly impressive and some pockets of good coaching but overall not a great experience.

The season will be different this year, and even the fall clinic season is different -- harder to get to know multiple coaches or programs, given that practice space and clinics seem limited by COVID. Wonder if clubs will really take many new players or if they are essentially just practicing their rosters from last season and already have spots filled?

From what I see - Cassells clinics seem to be very busy with a lot of new faces. Vball always favors returning players.....until someone better (or with more potential) shows up

I think the Cassells clinics are clinics from a lot of different teams renting the space and not all Cassell's Top Teams. As long as you pay the court rental fee, anyone can reserve the courts. There is hardly anywhere to play here in Fairfax County with all of the schools and some basketball facilities closed. We've attended a lot of clinics at Cassell's and they have been all different teams from all over NOVA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can anyone speak to the next tier down/other tiers of clubs? OP said her relative was "a pretty decent player"-- that may not mean college-bound, top tier club player. I know there was a thread that covered some of this last year, but would be good to get some current insights. DD played for ST J last season and we are looking for something else this year. The facility was certainly impressive and some pockets of good coaching but overall not a great experience.

The season will be different this year, and even the fall clinic season is different -- harder to get to know multiple coaches or programs, given that practice space and clinics seem limited by COVID. Wonder if clubs will really take many new players or if they are essentially just practicing their rosters from last season and already have spots filled?

Second tier clubs

EC Power (formerly Arlington Elite)
St James - great facility
NVVA
VAVA - new club, ex juniors coaches
Metro Regional teams
Vienna Elite
Virginia Top Team
Monument Volleyball

Hope you find your best fit

Good list, look at who the club directors are because they set the tone and culture of the club.
Second tier clubs

EC Power (formerly Arlington Elite) - up and coming, we played their teams this past season and was impressed with their coaching
St James - great facility - too much coaching turn over but club director is a local college coach
NVVA - was a powerhouse once upon a time but is focus on more rec teams, was not able to fill some travel teams this past season
VAVA - new club, ex juniors coaches - focus on player development, good technical coaches; Worth a look but relatively new
Metro Regional teams - travel teams is top priority so regional teams are hit and miss
Vienna Elite - used to have great training in younger teams but some of those coaches left

Hope that helps!

[Anonymous]

DD has been trying to look at some of the club websites and some clubs such as VA Jrs and VAE, it is almost impossible to see who the coaches were on their previous teams because they have been removed? Is that the coaches turn over the pp had mentioned?

How else would you recommend finding more about the clubs especially with COVID with limited face contact?

All the feedback have been VERY helpful and we really appreciate it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD has been trying to look at some of the club websites and some clubs such as VA Jrs and VAE, it is almost impossible to see who the coaches were on their previous teams because they have been removed? Is that the coaches turn over the pp had mentioned?

How else would you recommend finding more about the clubs especially with COVID with limited face contact?

All the feedback have been VERY helpful and we really appreciate it.

Coaches always turnover in club volleyball as it is so intense for the season, very few coaches do so year in year out. If your DD is very good and already has the skills, go to Metro or Jnrs, if needs work technically (or is super tall with potential) go to VAE. You can’t go too far wrong with these three, although I did hear player turnover, over the past few years, has been exceptionally high at VAE and parental interference is significantly greater than at the other two.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD has been trying to look at some of the club websites and some clubs such as VA Jrs and VAE, it is almost impossible to see who the coaches were on their previous teams because they have been removed? Is that the coaches turn over the pp had mentioned?

How else would you recommend finding more about the clubs especially with COVID with limited face contact?

All the feedback have been VERY helpful and we really appreciate it.

Attend fall prep clinics

[Anonymous]

Be aware that if you look at last years 17s, all but 2 of their starters were over 6 feet. Tall is not 5’10 there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Be aware that if you look at last years 17s, all but 2 of their starters were over 6 feet. Tall is not 5’10 there.

VAE

[Anonymous]

Metro Travel is the top of the top including nationally. Their regional teams fund the travel teams.

Some northern Va clubs charge an arm and a leg and are not that great.
Maryland clubs are hit and miss but like N. Va some think they are elite clubs but they are not.

St. James is going to be good because the facilities and no having to worry about court rentals and quickly become another Spooky Nook.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Metro Travel is the top of the top including nationally. Their regional teams fund the travel teams.

Some northern Va clubs charge an arm and a leg and are not that great.
Maryland clubs are hit and miss but like N. Va some think they are elite clubs but they are not.

St. James is going to be good because the facilities and no having to worry about court rentals and quickly become another Spooky Nook.

The only elite clubs in this area are Metro, VA Juniors and MD Juniors. Everyone else has some good age groups but not consistent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Be aware that if you look at last years 17s, all but 2 of their starters were over 6 feet. Tall is not 5’10 there.

VAE

Tall but not many committed if I recall

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Metro Travel is the top of the top including nationally. Their regional teams fund the travel teams.

Some northern Va clubs charge an arm and a leg and are not that great.
Maryland clubs are hit and miss but like N. Va some think they are elite clubs but they are not.

St. James is going to be good because the facilities and no having to worry about court rentals and quickly become another Spooky Nook.

If the first two years are any indication - especially the one without Arlington Elite - then St. James has a long way to go before being an elite club.

[Anonymous]

Any club that is holding tryouts this year will be good, as having the organization and dedicated coaches to even have clinics and tryouts has been a challenge.

Most of the more novice clubs (of which most all provide a fun experience and I am not badmouthing) are taking the year off.

Some ladies may be stuck without a club this year which stinks for them and the sport.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Metro Travel is the top of the top including nationally. Their regional teams fund the travel teams.

Some northern Va clubs charge an arm and a leg and are not that great.
Maryland clubs are hit and miss but like N. Va some think they are elite clubs but they are not.

St. James is going to be good because the facilities and no having to worry about court rentals and quickly become another Spooky Nook.

If the first two years are any indication - especially the one without Arlington Elite - then St. James has a long way to go before being an elite club.

St James should be good - the facility is amazing. They’re as likely to go buy an elite club as develop one.
Good luck to everyone trying out this weekend.

[Anonymous]

How did it go? Hope everyone finds a good fit by tomorrow!

[Anonymous]

Yes!
I think there were surprises though that happened so hopefully things work out.