Volleyball club- recap and thoughts

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How is mojo still holding tryouts? There is absolutely no way they need more players. There were soooo many great players at their clinics and their tryouts were full. I have a really hard time believing they still need players.

They are rebuilding their club after the split from ECP, and still have spots to fill. It happens. Many other clubs have been spreading the word that they are looking for more girls, too.

Money grab. That place was an absolute zoo this weekend both days of tryouts. 3 courts FULL of girls. It’s probably for the hefty tryout fee.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How is mojo still holding tryouts? There is absolutely no way they need more players. There were soooo many great players at their clinics and their tryouts were full. I have a really hard time believing they still need players.

Therr were probably at least 100 girls that tried out all together for say the 16s and probably more for 15s. You mean to tell me they could not build teams from that? Why not post like Vienna Elite the specific positions they need? Hold a business, but be ethical about it and don’t take advantage of people. Make a good name for yourself-they just got back in the club scene and using the same money grabbing scheme as metro regionals

They are rebuilding their club after the split from ECP, and still have spots to fill. It happens. Many other clubs have been spreading the word that they are looking for more girls, too.

Money grab. That place was an absolute zoo this weekend both days of tryouts. 3 courts FULL of girls. It’s probably for the hefty tryout fee.

[Anonymous]

I suspect clubs who had packed tryouts are still holding makeups bc while maybe a money grab (although I think the Mojo ones and maybe Vienna Elite ones are advertised as “free” tryouts), I suspect they have 1-2 roster spots open that they maybe don’t “need” to fill, but are hopeful that a 6’2” girl will walk in who is new to the sport, was sick last weekend, is giving up basketball, decided to try club instead of Rec, or just moved to the area. Why not add another girl to sit on the bench and roster for $6k?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How is mojo still holding tryouts? There is absolutely no way they need more players. There were soooo many great players at their clinics and their tryouts were full. I have a really hard time believing they still need players.

They are rebuilding their club after the split from ECP, and still have spots to fill. It happens. Many other clubs have been spreading the word that they are looking for more girls, too.

Money grab. That place was an absolute zoo this weekend both days of tryouts. 3 courts FULL of girls. It’s probably for the hefty tryout fee.

Mojo is advertising the tryout as free.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I suspect clubs who had packed tryouts are still holding makeups bc while maybe a money grab (although I think the Mojo ones and maybe Vienna Elite ones are advertised as “free” tryouts), I suspect they have 1-2 roster spots open that they maybe don’t “need” to fill, but are hopeful that a 6’2” girl will walk in who is new to the sport, was sick last weekend, is giving up basketball, decided to try club instead of Rec, or just moved to the area. Why not add another girl to sit on the bench and roster for $6k?

Yep, this is what I think too. We were offered a practice player position on one of these teams that we declined, and we were told that the roster was full and offers had been accepted.

[Anonymous]

Aftermath reflections here:

What put you off clubs? Take your pick or add your 2 cents.

Arrogant Staff/Coaches
Recruitment policies
Communication
On court antics
Flagrant favoritism then desperation

Not posting open positions $$$

Yes, it is an open cattle call. Real time documentation here. Take it for what you will. Clubs will take note or not and still do what they want.

Were you ready?
Do you have more tools for next round?

Good Luck,
A bloodied survivor

[Anonymous]

My younger kid will be doing another sport. I don’t want to put myself thru this for more years than I have to

[Anonymous]

Aftermath thoughts:

1. Its basically pay to play.
2. Its better to start young to develop skills early. Start at 12 years old if your child is interested
3. Tryouts are not truly open, girls are preselected. Its a joke to have 100 girls on a court at a time for evaluation.
4. There are not enough teams in the DMV area. Specifically DC. VB needs a Rec component here.
5. Height plays a huge factor and since the average height is 5'3 or 5'4. Libero will be the toughest position to compete for.
6. Height and athletic potential outweigh playing experience. I.E. they'll take someone that is 6'2 before someone that understands rules, rotations, and fundamentals.
7. CHRVA needs revamping or create a new organization for the DMV area.
8. It's very expensive to play club.

I think that about covers it from my perspective.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Aftermath thoughts:

1. Its basically pay to play.
2. Its better to start young to develop skills early. Start at 12 years old if your child is interested
3. Tryouts are not truly open, girls are preselected. Its a joke to have 100 girls on a court at a time for evaluation.
4. There are not enough teams in the DMV area. Specifically DC. VB needs a Rec component here.
5. Height plays a huge factor and since the average height is 5'3 or 5'4. Libero will be the toughest position to compete for.
6. Height and athletic potential outweigh playing experience. I.E. they'll take someone that is 6'2 before someone that understands rules, rotations, and fundamentals.
7. CHRVA needs revamping or create a new organization for the DMV area.
8. It's very expensive to play club.

I think that about covers it from my perspective.

My daughter started playing volleyball as a freshman in HS. In our case, club teams have not been pre-selected. There has always been movement within her last 2 years of club (ESPECIALLY this year as a junior).

[Anonymous]

I would love to see more regional leagues in the area. I have no need for all the travel and a game a weekend would be nice.

[Anonymous]

My takeaway for the 2023-2024 bloodbath:

1. Yes, it’s pay to play. Your kid needs to do paid clinics at every single club they hope to try-out for. Or private lessons with their coach of choice.

2. Some rosters are preordained, but not all. There are last minute slots that open and there is movement to scramble. We know two kids who were alternates for a top-5 club in the DC area and both got called.

3. Don’t despair if your kid doesn’t get a spot by Sunday. There are going to be options if they can play decently. I am shocked by how many top teams are still looking to fill gaps in their roster even as late as Wednesday.

4. Taller is better. Clubs will take someone 5’11”-6’2” and roster them no matter what their level of play us (if any) over a girl who is 5’7” or less, unless she has a hell of a jump or can play back row. There seems to be a need for tall girl RS and MB positions. Make sure your kid is “right” for the position they want to play. Don’t expect a kid who us 5’7” to play Middle.

5. Bring a camping chair to sit in.

6. Don’t put all of your eggs in one club’s basket no matter what they promise you. No matter how loyal they claim to be. No matter how often they tell you before tryouts that there will be a spot for you. No matter how many “invite” clinics you’re invited to. Have backups (Ahem… ECP/Mojo).

7. Agree we need more regional options closer into the DMV that aren’t far out in MoCo, Prince William Co, Loudon Co, or Howard Co. Programs similar to NVVA’s Galaxy League but that maybe play each other, even at their own facilities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My takeaway for the 2023-2024 bloodbath:

1. Yes, it’s pay to play. Your kid needs to do paid clinics at every single club they hope to try-out for. Or private lessons with their coach of choice.

2. Some rosters are preordained, but not all. There are last minute slots that open and there is movement to scramble. We know two kids who were alternates for a top-5 club in the DC area and both got called.

3. Don’t despair if your kid doesn’t get a spot by Sunday. There are going to be options if they can play decently. I am shocked by how many top teams are still looking to fill gaps in their roster even as late as Wednesday.

4. Taller is better. Clubs will take someone 5’11”-6’2” and roster them no matter what their level of play us (if any) over a girl who is 5’7” or less, unless she has a hell of a jump or can play back row. There seems to be a need for tall girl RS and MB positions. Make sure your kid is “right” for the position they want to play. Don’t expect a kid who us 5’7” to play Middle.

5. Bring a camping chair to sit in.

6. Don’t put all of your eggs in one club’s basket no matter what they promise you. No matter how loyal they claim to be. No matter how often they tell you before tryouts that there will be a spot for you. No matter how many “invite” clinics you’re invited to. Have backups (Ahem… ECP/Mojo).

7. Agree we need more regional options closer into the DMV that aren’t far out in MoCo, Prince William Co, Loudon Co, or Howard Co. Programs similar to NVVA’s Galaxy League but that maybe play each other, even at their own facilities.

This happened to us and a few other players we know. I am disgusted at how grown adults treated teen girls, promises that were made, texts and emails sent and phone calls made (by the coaches, not the parents), making promises and leading girls on when the right thing to do, the adult thing to do, is to say "We cannot promise or guarantee a spot on the team this year. Please make sure you are attending other try outs" or even more blunt "I am sorry but we won't have a spot on the roster for you this year. Good luck." Period.

[Anonymous]

If people wouldn't mind, would you share which clubs (or even the age groups of those team coaches as I don't think it would be EVERY coach in a club... right?) are the ones who performed such actions in terms of making such false promises? I ask because while my kids got onto teams, it was a bit touch and go there initially yet I never got the sense that they were dishonest about the chances especially with the high numbers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Aftermath thoughts:

1. Its basically pay to play.
2. Its better to start young to develop skills early. Start at 12 years old if your child is interested
3. Tryouts are not truly open, girls are preselected. Its a joke to have 100 girls on a court at a time for evaluation.
4. There are not enough teams in the DMV area. Specifically DC. VB needs a Rec component here.
5. Height plays a huge factor and since the average height is 5'3 or 5'4. Libero will be the toughest position to compete for.
6. Height and athletic potential outweigh playing experience. I.E. they'll take someone that is 6'2 before someone that understands rules, rotations, and fundamentals.
7. CHRVA needs revamping or create a new organization for the DMV area.
8. It's very expensive to play club.

I think that about covers it from my perspective.

My daughter started playing volleyball as a freshman in HS. In our case, club teams have not been pre-selected. There has always been movement within her last 2 years of club (ESPECIALLY this year as a junior).

There is movement, but coaches often know which players they will keep, which they’ll give up if something better comes along, and they often have already identified the new players they would take before tryouts begin. (DD team has < 50% of last year’s players)

It is very unusual for someone to start playing volleyball at the club level u15. If you’re 6’+, sure. If you’re a truly extraordinary athlete, maybe.

It would be nice for girls who didn’t have their athletic dreams mapped out in time for u12 to be able to play volleyball as a positive experience.

[Anonymous]

I'm shocked schools like UMD, GWU, Georgetown don't have developmental programs. Could be a huge money maker as the sport is growing.