Let us pick a volleyball club for you

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD is rising 9th going to oakton hs, only does rec swimming and is mild at it. It’s the only sport she does, but she’s done volleyball drills by herself and isn’t bad. Definitely a beginner though and wants to join a club. WWYD?

See the NOVA Volleyball Alliance above. Before you assume any volleyball level for your DD, you need to see her play with club-level players.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DD is rising 9th going to oakton hs, only does rec swimming and is mild at it. It’s the only sport she does, but she’s done volleyball drills by herself and isn’t bad. Definitely a beginner though and wants to join a club. WWYD?

I think something like 70-80 girls try out for the Oakton freshman team. Unless your daughter is six feet tall, this is probably not the sport to pick up and make the team. Field Hockey is supposed to be easier to make as a freshman if she's just looking for a fall sport.

You can still register for the spring CYA season for rec volleyball to see if she likes it.

My daughter is a little on the shorter side… like 5’2. Her two choices were cross country/track or volleyball. Which one would be easier to make progress or make the team? (I’m kinda new to all the sports stuff since my daughter just started showing interest…)

Cross country. She can play volleyball in the spring as a beginner on a rec team at VYI or at a different place and still should if she has an interest. But yes, HS team will be extremely competitive to make and even the freshman team will have experienced club players.

Cross country for sure. It's no cut at Oakton. FYI, you're going to need a physical and submit some forms to the high school athletic director to register for sports. Practices will begin at the beginning of August. The info is all online, but you have to look for it, the school doesn't really tell you about it.

[Anonymous]

6th grade DD, McLean, 5'7 (with prob 2 more inches to go), has played a lot of other sports and is pretty athletic. Def the best player on her rec league b/c she can move to the ball, overhand serve to the back of the court etc. Not the next Wayne Gretzky but is liking it. . .I do not want a five day a week commitment (quit travel softball after two years). .where would she have fun and be able to play with kids who can also somewhat play?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:6th grade DD, McLean, 5'7 (with prob 2 more inches to go), has played a lot of other sports and is pretty athletic. Def the best player on her rec league b/c she can move to the ball, overhand serve to the back of the court etc. Not the next Wayne Gretzky but is liking it. . .I do not want a five day a week commitment (quit travel softball after two years). .where would she have fun and be able to play with kids who can also somewhat play?

With that height for a 6th grader, she will do great. What is the reason for the commitment concern? Is it the child or the family schedule? You will rarely find a five days a week commitment for a 6th grader even in the top clubs. The commitment starts increasing for older players, but you will know by then what DD (or the family) can handle. Look for a competitive club that is close to home - that's where you will see the best growth. Once the schedule becomes less manageable, you can step down a notch for a club closer to the middle of the pack.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:6th grade DD, McLean, 5'7 (with prob 2 more inches to go), has played a lot of other sports and is pretty athletic. Def the best player on her rec league b/c she can move to the ball, overhand serve to the back of the court etc. Not the next Wayne Gretzky but is liking it. . .I do not want a five day a week commitment (quit travel softball after two years). .where would she have fun and be able to play with kids who can also somewhat play?

With that height for a 6th grader, she will do great. What is the reason for the commitment concern? Is it the child or the family schedule? You will rarely find a five days a week commitment for a 6th grader even in the top clubs. The commitment starts increasing for older players, but you will know by then what DD (or the family) can handle. Look for a competitive club that is close to home - that's where you will see the best growth. Once the schedule becomes less manageable, you can step down a notch for a club closer to the middle of the pack.

She's doing a rec league now, but there is a travel team on the court next door and the coach has approached me a few times to have my DD join- but she cited 4 days a week of practice and like 20 tournaments a year. Just not interested in that level of commitment right now. We did travel softball and it burned us all out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:6th grade DD, McLean, 5'7 (with prob 2 more inches to go), has played a lot of other sports and is pretty athletic. Def the best player on her rec league b/c she can move to the ball, overhand serve to the back of the court etc. Not the next Wayne Gretzky but is liking it. . .I do not want a five day a week commitment (quit travel softball after two years). .where would she have fun and be able to play with kids who can also somewhat play?

VYI Travel. It's meant for 7-9th graders but an advanced & tall 6th grader could possibly make it since they field a few teams of different levels. Trying out doesn't hurt, so you can see where she might stand next year. Registration is open now. Info is pasted here and at this link: https://www.vyi.org/volleyball/about-volleyball

MS and HS Travel League (advanced; A and BB level)

Tryout mandatory; most intense/competitive option
Fall and Spring seasons; advanced 6th graders considered
Grades 7-8 (girls)
Grades 9-10 (girls), Spring 2022
Plays in Northern Virginia Travel Volleyball League
2 weeknight practices and 1 evening match (typically Wednesdays) per week against teams across the county
$230 registration

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:6th grade DD, McLean, 5'7 (with prob 2 more inches to go), has played a lot of other sports and is pretty athletic. Def the best player on her rec league b/c she can move to the ball, overhand serve to the back of the court etc. Not the next Wayne Gretzky but is liking it. . .I do not want a five day a week commitment (quit travel softball after two years). .where would she have fun and be able to play with kids who can also somewhat play?

VYI Travel. It's meant for 7-9th graders but an advanced & tall 6th grader could possibly make it since they field a few teams of different levels. Trying out doesn't hurt, so you can see where she might stand next year. Registration is open now. Info is pasted here and at this link: https://www.vyi.org/volleyball/about-volleyball

MS and HS Travel League (advanced; A and BB level)

Tryout mandatory; most intense/competitive option
Fall and Spring seasons; advanced 6th graders considered
Grades 7-8 (girls)
Grades 9-10 (girls), Spring 2022
Plays in Northern Virginia Travel Volleyball League
2 weeknight practices and 1 evening match (typically Wednesdays) per week against teams across the county
$230 registration

Is the Northern Virginia Travel Volleyball league that VSI plays in still a thing?

[Anonymous]

Current 7th grader who has been doing clinics all year and wants to join a team next year in 8th grade. We are open to club or rec, but need something that isn't too competitive since her level is intermediate. She will be 13 August so could possibly play down, I believe? Most importantly, we want something close to NW DC or Bethesda/Chevy Chase.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Current 7th grader who has been doing clinics all year and wants to join a team next year in 8th grade. We are open to club or rec, but need something that isn't too competitive since her level is intermediate. She will be 13 August so could possibly play down, I believe? Most importantly, we want something close to NW DC or Bethesda/Chevy Chase.

Metro Central, MVSA, Bethesda VBC, MOCO, Maryland Exclusive, Mojo, Academy, American North, DMV Elite...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Current 7th grader who has been doing clinics all year and wants to join a team next year in 8th grade. We are open to club or rec, but need something that isn't too competitive since her level is intermediate. She will be 13 August so could possibly play down, I believe? Most importantly, we want something close to NW DC or Bethesda/Chevy Chase.

Here is the list of clubs in the Montgomery County: https://volleymontgomery.wordpress.com/clubs/
There is a page over there where you can check out the ratings and decide which level of competition is right for your DD.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Current 7th grader who has been doing clinics all year and wants to join a team next year in 8th grade. We are open to club or rec, but need something that isn't too competitive since her level is intermediate. She will be 13 August so could possibly play down, I believe? Most importantly, we want something close to NW DC or Bethesda/Chevy Chase.

Closest to you are:
Metro Central (NW DC)
MOCO (Bethesda/Chevy Chase)
Academy DC (North Chevy Chase)

Check their websites for their spring/summer/fall clinics.

If you are not super competitive, playing down is a good idea. It's much easier to make a club team at 13 than 14.