Metro vs Paramount (vs other top clubs)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think you're in VA, but in MD, MEVC is a great club that focuses on player development and has great coaching. Playing time is pretty equal across the 12 players. In fact, our experience with it has been so good, I don't know where else to advise my daughter to try out next year. I just want her to keep playing for MEVC!

Good luck!

Thank you! It’s not easy to find a great club and feel truly happy with it. Unfortunately, I haven’t heard many positive things about the two clubs in our area. Hopefully, we’ll be able to find one that’s a good fit for us as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You may want to consider Libero. They have smaller rosters, heavy focus on player development, coaching is fantastic and a supportive atmosphere. There is also enough of a tournament schedule across all levels to make it competitive but not so heavy that it becomes as much of time suck / chasing bids. They have their own facilities and combine conditioning and film review in their practices.

Many of the really good players from Libero end up at Paramount or VA Juniors…so it could be a good fit for your player.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wish I had read these discussions earlier so I could have avoided some of the pitfalls DD experienced this season. I agree with many of the neutral observations shared here about Paramount’s culture. Looking back, there were several red flags I didn’t recognize at the time, such as the high turnover rate (8 new players and only 6 returning on our team) and the large roster sizes, which leave non-starting players with very limited or sometimes no playing time.

I feel sorry for DD because she was such a happy and confident player before this season, and I wish I had done more research to avoid this difficult experience. Since I’m still new to volleyball, I may not fully understand all the strategies involved, but my impression is that some of the 2s teams are scheduled against weaker opponents to maximize wins and improve AES rankings. It also seems that earning USAV bids is the primary focus, while the final placement at Nationals matters less because the bids themselves are a major part of the club’s marketing.

Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences and insights. While DD has no intention of playing volleyball in college, the “win at all costs” environment is not the right fit for her. We hope to find a club that places more emphasis on player development, confidence, and enjoyment of the game. Most of all, I hope she can regain the confidence and happiness she had before this season.

VA Juniors seems to be the first choice of those leaving Paramount.

Thank you. I just checked out Libero’s website, and it seems they offer many more clinics than other clubs. I also reached out about private lessons and received a lightning-fast response. We’ll definitely check it out.

[Anonymous]

Thank you. I just checked out Libero’s website, and it seems they offer many more clinics than other clubs. I also reached out about private lessons and received a lightning-fast response. We’ll definitely check it out

Anonymous wrote:You may want to consider Libero. They have smaller rosters, heavy focus on player development, coaching is fantastic and a supportive atmosphere. There is also enough of a tournament schedule across all levels to make it competitive but not so heavy that it becomes as much of time suck / chasing bids. They have their own facilities and combine conditioning and film review in their practices.

Many of the really good players from Libero end up at Paramount or VA Juniors…so it could be a good fit for your player.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wish I had read these discussions earlier so I could have avoided some of the pitfalls DD experienced this season. I agree with many of the neutral observations shared here about Paramount’s culture. Looking back, there were several red flags I didn’t recognize at the time, such as the high turnover rate (8 new players and only 6 returning on our team) and the large roster sizes, which leave non-starting players with very limited or sometimes no playing time.

I feel sorry for DD because she was such a happy and confident player before this season, and I wish I had done more research to avoid this difficult experience. Since I’m still new to volleyball, I may not fully understand all the strategies involved, but my impression is that some of the 2s teams are scheduled against weaker opponents to maximize wins and improve AES rankings. It also seems that earning USAV bids is the primary focus, while the final placement at Nationals matters less because the bids themselves are a major part of the club’s marketing.

Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences and insights. While DD has no intention of playing volleyball in college, the “win at all costs” environment is not the right fit for her. We hope to find a club that places more emphasis on player development, confidence, and enjoyment of the game. Most of all, I hope she can regain the confidence and happiness she had before this season.

VA Juniors seems to be the first choice of those leaving Paramount.

We definitely want to try out for Junior, but it might be a bit of a reach for us right now. Do you have any recommendations for clubs that are a step above MOJO but below Junior? It seems like BRYC has a pretty good reputation, while I’ve heard more mixed things about VAE. On our list: Junior, BRYC, Loudon elite

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wish I had read these discussions earlier so I could have avoided some of the pitfalls DD experienced this season. I agree with many of the neutral observations shared here about Paramount’s culture. Looking back, there were several red flags I didn’t recognize at the time, such as the high turnover rate (8 new players and only 6 returning on our team) and the large roster sizes, which leave non-starting players with very limited or sometimes no playing time.

I feel sorry for DD because she was such a happy and confident player before this season, and I wish I had done more research to avoid this difficult experience. Since I’m still new to volleyball, I may not fully understand all the strategies involved, but my impression is that some of the 2s teams are scheduled against weaker opponents to maximize wins and improve AES rankings. It also seems that earning USAV bids is the primary focus, while the final placement at Nationals matters less because the bids themselves are a major part of the club’s marketing.

Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences and insights. While DD has no intention of playing volleyball in college, the “win at all costs” environment is not the right fit for her. We hope to find a club that places more emphasis on player development, confidence, and enjoyment of the game. Most of all, I hope she can regain the confidence and happiness she had before this season.

VA Juniors seems to be the first choice of those leaving Paramount.

We definitely want to try out for Junior, but it might be a bit of a reach for us right now. Do you have any recommendations for clubs that are a step above MOJO but below Junior? It seems like BRYC has a pretty good reputation, while I’ve heard more mixed things about VAE. On our list: Junior, BRYC, Loudon elite

I don’t think VAE is the right fit. The club fees are expensive, and it seems like they’re playing in tournament divisions that are above the team’s actual skill level, so they keep losing. There are also 13 players on the roster, but it feels like only the same few players get consistent playing time.

Even though Paramount has two teams, they still seem focused on winning with their stronger players, almost like a first team at other clubs, rather than focusing on development. At this point, the options are either to find a club that competes at a more appropriate division level (e.g. BRYC tends to play one division lower than Paramount, Jrs, VAE), or to improve through private lessons and work toward becoming part of the core playing group. Also, VA Jrs or Loudoun Elite 1st team often compete in the same divisions (such as Open divisions) as Paramount’s second teams in many tournaments. That means they are generally looking for players with a similar skill level to those on Paramount 2s.

Team sports are only really fun when the team is doing well together. Even if I get a lot of playing time, it’s hard to stay motivated when the team struggles overall. I think the most important thing is finding a slightly stronger team while also being realistic about one’s current skill level.

I really hope you can find a great team for next season.

Thank you. I agree with every word. Playing up can feel frustrating, while playing down can become boring. We’re really looking for a club that places players at the right level for their development and confidence.

Do you happen to have any recommendations for private coaches, especially for serving/receiving and setting skills?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think you're in VA, but in MD, MEVC is a great club that focuses on player development and has great coaching. Playing time is pretty equal across the 12 players. In fact, our experience with it has been so good, I don't know where else to advise my daughter to try out next year. I just want her to keep playing for MEVC!

Good luck!

MEVC looks like a mess from the outside. I don't think their website was updated this season to show the new team rosters. i heard from a couple of parents that MEVC shuffled their rosters and did not make offers to a lot of returning players. You would assume that this renewal produced better teams this year, but it doesn't seem to be the case (at least in my DD's age group). It's quite funny that we talk about about MEVC on this thread.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think you're in VA, but in MD, MEVC is a great club that focuses on player development and has great coaching. Playing time is pretty equal across the 12 players. In fact, our experience with it has been so good, I don't know where else to advise my daughter to try out next year. I just want her to keep playing for MEVC!

Good luck!

Thank you! It’s not easy to find a great club and feel truly happy with it. Unfortunately, I haven’t heard many positive things about the two clubs in our area. Hopefully, we’ll be able to find one that’s a good fit for us as well.

What area are you in?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think you're in VA, but in MD, MEVC is a great club that focuses on player development and has great coaching. Playing time is pretty equal across the 12 players. In fact, our experience with it has been so good, I don't know where else to advise my daughter to try out next year. I just want her to keep playing for MEVC!

Good luck!

Thank you! It’s not easy to find a great club and feel truly happy with it. Unfortunately, I haven’t heard many positive things about the two clubs in our area. Hopefully, we’ll be able to find one that’s a good fit for us as well.

What area are you in?

McLean

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Metro has had its regional teams for many years but hasn’t developed players through them. You don’t see anyone from their regional teams moving up to their travel teams. At their clinics, they always place their travel players (and a few others) on the top court and pay little attention to the rest.

Yes, there are always good players from other clubs who want to join Metro Travel, but you really don’t want to be the third-best player in your position there. If you’re the third OH, MB, RS, or S on Metro Travel, you’ll likely spend the season standing on the sidelines and feeling miserable. You should aim to join a club where you’re one of the top two in your position. If that’s not Metro Travel, consider Paramount, VA Juniors, MD Juniors, VAE, etc. They all have strong track records of sending players to play in college.

Will Metro’s new National teams be successful? That depends on how much the club invests in those teams. However, I don’t think the club director has shown much interest in players who aren’t already at the top.

Additionally, unlike Paramount, which has its own 8-court gym and can host multiple teams training simultaneously in one location, Metro doesn’t have its own facility. I think this limits their ability to expand.

I would agree with this. My daughter's current Metro regional coach (leaving out region/age intentionally) only plays 8/12 girls - mostly 6/12 girls. By the second day of the tournaments, when the bracket play starts, those girls are exhausted. We've been very disappointed in the minimal playing time our daughter has had (she's put in for serves when the team is drastically winning, but gets no position playing). She goes to a large, private sports-heavy HS and was told she needed to play club to advance to JV volleyball there. We think it was money wasted due to the coach's philosophy of winning rather than developing all players on the roster! Again, this is regional, not travel!

This sounds very discouraging! Wouldn’t be my expectation from a metro regional team!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think you're in VA, but in MD, MEVC is a great club that focuses on player development and has great coaching. Playing time is pretty equal across the 12 players. In fact, our experience with it has been so good, I don't know where else to advise my daughter to try out next year. I just want her to keep playing for MEVC!

Good luck!

MEVC looks like a mess from the outside. I don't think their website was updated this season to show the new team rosters. i heard from a couple of parents that MEVC shuffled their rosters and did not make offers to a lot of returning players. You would assume that this renewal produced better teams this year, but it doesn't seem to be the case (at least in my DD's age group). It's quite funny that we talk about about MEVC on this thread.

Some of their coaches left this year when Metro National started- maybe that has something to do with it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think you're in VA, but in MD, MEVC is a great club that focuses on player development and has great coaching. Playing time is pretty equal across the 12 players. In fact, our experience with it has been so good, I don't know where else to advise my daughter to try out next year. I just want her to keep playing for MEVC!

Good luck!

Thank you! It’s not easy to find a great club and feel truly happy with it. Unfortunately, I haven’t heard many positive things about the two clubs in our area. Hopefully, we’ll be able to find one that’s a good fit for us as well.

What area are you in?

McLean

Vienna Elite
Academy
St. James
DYS
Loudoun Elite

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think you're in VA, but in MD, MEVC is a great club that focuses on player development and has great coaching. Playing time is pretty equal across the 12 players. In fact, our experience with it has been so good, I don't know where else to advise my daughter to try out next year. I just want her to keep playing for MEVC!

Good luck!

MEVC looks like a mess from the outside. I don't think their website was updated this season to show the new team rosters. i heard from a couple of parents that MEVC shuffled their rosters and did not make offers to a lot of returning players. You would assume that this renewal produced better teams this year, but it doesn't seem to be the case (at least in my DD's age group). It's quite funny that we talk about about MEVC on this thread.

Some of their coaches left this year when Metro National started- maybe that has something to do with it.

I could see that being a problem and creating a lot of work. Finding new coaches is not easy. It is sad to see them going down - probably lack of good coaches might also explain why their teams were not doing that well this year. Hopefully they get back on their feet because we need stronger clubs in this area.

[Anonymous]

Paramount social media back at it again with their: we are the greatest and only club in the entire universe to have ever accomplished the great thing we accomplished. Cool but why you gotta try so hard? It feels desperate.

[Anonymous]

Paramount just reeks of desperation and jealousy.

[Anonymous]

2026 USAV Girls Junior National Championship is just around the corner.

Best of luck to all the local teams qualified to play in this tournament especially those that made the higher tier bids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Paramount social media back at it again with their: we are the greatest and only club in the entire universe to have ever accomplished the great thing we accomplished. Cool but why you gotta try so hard? It feels desperate.

I saw that post and winced on their behalf once again.
Paramount is a great club, with great players and a strong track record.
Whoever is managing their social media presence is simply not good at it, and they are doing the club a major disservice. “Only CHRVA club to do X…” “By God’s grace we did Y…” Goodness, it’s hard to read, and it tells the wrong story.
There is a real opportunity to reframe the club’s personality if they took a different approach and external messaging tone.