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Agreed. Thanks for the insightful contributions.
I'm going through the 2023 USAV spreadsheets for to see what CHRVA teams participated.
Open: Metro 15 Travel, Metro 17 Travel, Metro 18 Travel, Paramount VBC 18s
National: Blue Ridge 14 Blue, Paramount VBC 14, Paramount VBC 15, Metro 16 Travel, Blue Ridge 17 Blue, VA Juniors 18 Elite
USA: Paramount VBC 16s
Liberty: MD Jrs 14 Elite Black
American: Metro 14 Travel, VA Juniors 14 Elite, Blue Ridge 15 Blue, EC Power CH 15-Shock DC, MVSA 15 Charge, Blue Ridge 16 Blue, MVSA 16 Sparks, MD Jrs 17 Elite Black, Paramount VBC 17, EC Power Chesapeake 18 DE
Freedom: LEVBC U14 National, MVSA 14 Force, LEVBC U15 National, Premier Edge 16, VA Juniors 16 Elite, EC Power Chesapeake 17 DE, VA Juniors 17 Elite, Vienna Elite 18 Blue, Columbia 18 Black
Hopefully, I didn't miss any teams ... but that looks to be about 12 CHRVA clubs that earned a total of 31 bids to Nationals. There are about 9 more bids for CHRVA in the 11s-13s groups.
UPDATE: Added "Liberty: MD Jrs 14 Elite Black" ... Team is mislabeled in the "IA" region on the USAV spreadsheet 14 Liberty tab.
I'm going through the 2023 USAV spreadsheets for to see what CHRVA teams participated.
Open: Metro 15 Travel, Metro 17 Travel, Metro 18 Travel, Paramount VBC 18s
National: Blue Ridge 14 Blue, Paramount VBC 14, Paramount VBC 15, Metro 16 Travel, Blue Ridge 17 Blue, VA Juniors 18 Elite
USA: Paramount VBC 16s
Liberty: MD Jrs 14 Elite Black
American: Metro 14 Travel, VA Juniors 14 Elite, Blue Ridge 15 Blue, EC Power CH 15-Shock DC, MVSA 15 Charge, Blue Ridge 16 Blue, MVSA 16 Sparks, MD Jrs 17 Elite Black, Paramount VBC 17, EC Power Chesapeake 18 DE
Freedom: LEVBC U14 National, MVSA 14 Force, LEVBC U15 National, Premier Edge 16, VA Juniors 16 Elite, EC Power Chesapeake 17 DE, VA Juniors 17 Elite, Vienna Elite 18 Blue, Columbia 18 Black
Hopefully, I didn't miss any teams ... but that looks to be about 12 CHRVA clubs that earned a total of 31 bids to Nationals. There are about 9 more bids for CHRVA in the 11s-13s groups.
UPDATE: Added "Liberty: MD Jrs 14 Elite Black" ... Team is mislabeled in the "IA" region on the USAV spreadsheet 14 Liberty tab.
Bear in mind that VA Elite includes everything for the player's travel to all non-local events in the stated fee. By the time you add up costs for most other clubs that participate in the same tournaments, VA Elite may prove to be comparable. Yes, their numbers can be shocking at a glance, but that may be the going rate for many high-performing clubs within CHRVA.
As a first-time parent last year, the whole SportWrench vs. AES results tracking was rather annoying. I had hopes that the new USAV rankings would help unify things, but it just seems like an additional ranking system for now. I wonder how long it will take for clubs to start gaming the systems to boost rankings by opting in for some events and opting out of others.
I'm going to guess that facilities are among the most expensive costs borne by clubs. As an owner, you are either renting space or you own your own space (perhaps with a mortgage or something). Might explain why many clubs call space in an industrial park "home." It may also explain why Metro may have lower costs by using gyms at schools, which I'll guess are a bit cheaper to rent that owning their own or renting non-school space.
Not sure if I could begin to break down the costs for a club like The St. James, where my kid played last year. The facility is flat out amazing, but it also offers so much more than just volleyball. You certainly got offers to join as a member or to take advantage of other amenities, but we were never forced to pick up a membership. If the level of play was on a trajectory to compete with top CHRVA clubs, I'd give it strong consideration as a parent given that the travel logistics worked for us.
From the consumer side, VA Elite tries to breakdown costs, particularly in comparison to other clubs. As far as I know, VAE is the only club that includes player travel into their costs.
https://www.vaelite.com/club-fees
Not sure if I could begin to break down the costs for a club like The St. James, where my kid played last year. The facility is flat out amazing, but it also offers so much more than just volleyball. You certainly got offers to join as a member or to take advantage of other amenities, but we were never forced to pick up a membership. If the level of play was on a trajectory to compete with top CHRVA clubs, I'd give it strong consideration as a parent given that the travel logistics worked for us.
From the consumer side, VA Elite tries to breakdown costs, particularly in comparison to other clubs. As far as I know, VAE is the only club that includes player travel into their costs.
https://www.vaelite.com/club-fees
Thanks for the historical perspective offered in this thread. I've learned quite a bit.
So, what can CHRVA do to raise its profile (and the profile of its member clubs) at a national level? (I think there may be some agreement that CHRVA's national profile is ... lacking.)
It seems that Metro and Paramount are capable of representing CHRVA well in most cases, but does either club stand to gain anything if CHRVA wants to have a more prominent presence? Could the two even agree to collaborate to push the region forward?
I think I understand that teams have to compete in two "local" tournaments to qualify for CHRVA Bid Regionals. Capital Hill counts as one ... and Metro seems to be tied to the hip of that one. Do any of the other large-ish events also count like the one at National Harbor and Charm City? Do other regions have similar requirements for competing in "local" tournaments? What if clubs could earn a "local event credit" for competing in an out-of-region event that fields Open level pools of 40 or 50+ teams (e.g., Volley by the James) or one of the M-APLs? I'm thinking that CHRVA teams at those events are extending the reach of the region and could be deserving of something like a local event credit to CHRVA Bid Regionals.
I wonder if these one-day tourneys hosted by MVSA/MDJRS/Vienna Elite/etc. are really doing a service for the region as a whole (at the Open level, at least). On the other hand, would these one-days go away if that "local" event requirement is loosened ... and would the host clubs ultimately lose out on a significant income generator?
So, what can CHRVA do to raise its profile (and the profile of its member clubs) at a national level? (I think there may be some agreement that CHRVA's national profile is ... lacking.)
I wonder if these one-day tourneys hosted by MVSA/MDJRS/Vienna Elite/etc. are really doing a service for the region as a whole (at the Open level, at least). On the other hand, would these one-days go away if that "local" event requirement is loosened ... and would the host clubs ultimately lose out on a significant income generator?
I see many mentions here that Metro has been best club in CHRVA. I don't want to disagree with what appears to be common knowledge, but what is that based on? Most bids to USAV Nationals over time? Most wins overall? Most wins head-to-head against other clubs near the top? Most collegiate recruits? Best coaches?
I'm only in club season #2 with my player, so I don't have a full sense of the region's history. With SportsEngine buying/rebranding AES, I don't know how much I can trust the data from previous years (which "only" goes back to 2020-2021 now). On its website, Paramount proudly touts a top 5 USAV National Open division finish for one team ... some time in the past ... as the best CHRVA finish ever at USAV Nationals. Metro makes other claims on its website (like CHRVA club with the most teams to qualify for USAV Nationals for a given year, etc.) Is there anything objective that distinguishes Metro from Paramount from VA Juniors from Blue Ridge from MD Juniors ... on and on?
I'm only in club season #2 with my player, so I don't have a full sense of the region's history. With SportsEngine buying/rebranding AES, I don't know how much I can trust the data from previous years (which "only" goes back to 2020-2021 now). On its website, Paramount proudly touts a top 5 USAV National Open division finish for one team ... some time in the past ... as the best CHRVA finish ever at USAV Nationals. Metro makes other claims on its website (like CHRVA club with the most teams to qualify for USAV Nationals for a given year, etc.) Is there anything objective that distinguishes Metro from Paramount from VA Juniors from Blue Ridge from MD Juniors ... on and on?
Purchased my last two vehicles (both were very low-mileage ... sub-30K ... and over 4 years old) via cargurus.com. Paid in cash. If you can avoid financing, this is a/the way.
There is a pro rata consideration if you have any funds that will remain in a traditional IRA at the end of the year. So, yes, you may want to only rollover the amount you ultimately want to convert and not just roll over everything from a tax-deferred workplace plan account (401k, 403b, etc.)
https://www.district4va.org/
There are eight schools in the Patriot district, including Fairfax, Woodson, Robinson, Lake Braddock, West Springfield, South County, Alexandria City, and West Potomac. The last three on that list seem a bit out-of-place from a distance perspective.
As far as actual rivalries, it seems that most contests have been lopsided recently ... for those involving FHS. Maybe if both schools were decent in the same sport at the same time, you could fill a gym ... but just for that contest.
There are eight schools in the Patriot district, including Fairfax, Woodson, Robinson, Lake Braddock, West Springfield, South County, Alexandria City, and West Potomac. The last three on that list seem a bit out-of-place from a distance perspective.
As far as actual rivalries, it seems that most contests have been lopsided recently ... for those involving FHS. Maybe if both schools were decent in the same sport at the same time, you could fill a gym ... but just for that contest.
Does any HS gym in this area fill up regularly for sporting events? I cannot pretend that FHS has successful sports teams beyond field hockey ... and maybe football recently. For better or worse, I haven't gone to many "away" contests at other schools.
As far as graffiti in a bathroom, I'm trusting that the poster reported it to someone.
As far as graffiti in a bathroom, I'm trusting that the poster reported it to someone.
City resident with a 10th grade student-athlete at FHS. I don't have much of a basis for comparison with other FCPS high schools. I'm not going to claim that its academics rival TJHSST, but I have no reason to believe that the schools sits somewhere near the bottom of the scale. I don't know how much the school leverages its proximity to GMU (I'm an engineering alum), but I'd love to see more. My kid has started a club there, so that demonstrates (to me, at least) that students with the desire can chart their own path that aligns with their interests.
If I had a complaint for this year, it's that the bus route for my kid could use some extra capacity. We're the last stop and there has been no open seat in the mornings, especially for a student with extra backpacks/stuff for after-school practices. I've been driving to the school all year. Afternoons haven't been an issue. This particular bus stops at one or more multi-family developments where tons of kids get on/off, so we're just unlucky this year to be at the end of the route.
If I had a complaint for this year, it's that the bus route for my kid could use some extra capacity. We're the last stop and there has been no open seat in the mornings, especially for a student with extra backpacks/stuff for after-school practices. I've been driving to the school all year. Afternoons haven't been an issue. This particular bus stops at one or more multi-family developments where tons of kids get on/off, so we're just unlucky this year to be at the end of the route.
After a few big events, are there any area teams that are turning heads? What teams are "Must See" right now?
There were some interesting matches involving Metro down in Hampton last weekend. I caught chunks of Metro 17 vs. Metro 16, where the 16s one the first set and barely lost the second (26-24). The 17s won the match in the third set. I did see the end of the match where an East Carolina Juniors 16s team knocked the Metro 17s out of Gold bracket contention (the best player on ECJVC but the ball perfectly in the back corner and no Metro player could get to it). I also got to see full matches with Metro 14s and 15s. They've got some powerful hitters, but both teams walked away with losses in the matches I watched.
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Any families who may have a youngster that is showing interest in youth volleyball, it may be worth it to check out the upcoming Capitol Hill Classic during Presidents' Day weekend (https://www.capitolhillvolleyball.com/ | https://sportwrench.com/event/24026). It was my high schooler's first major tournament when playing on her first club team last year. Yes, it will be a bit pricey (but far cheaper than a few lessons or a full rec season). With a few hundred courts ... and constant whistles, your player will either love it (and want "all the things") or will decide then and there that club volleyball isn't for them.
There were some interesting matches involving Metro down in Hampton last weekend. I caught chunks of Metro 17 vs. Metro 16, where the 16s one the first set and barely lost the second (26-24). The 17s won the match in the third set. I did see the end of the match where an East Carolina Juniors 16s team knocked the Metro 17s out of Gold bracket contention (the best player on ECJVC but the ball perfectly in the back corner and no Metro player could get to it). I also got to see full matches with Metro 14s and 15s. They've got some powerful hitters, but both teams walked away with losses in the matches I watched.
...
Any families who may have a youngster that is showing interest in youth volleyball, it may be worth it to check out the upcoming Capitol Hill Classic during Presidents' Day weekend (https://www.capitolhillvolleyball.com/ | https://sportwrench.com/event/24026). It was my high schooler's first major tournament when playing on her first club team last year. Yes, it will be a bit pricey (but far cheaper than a few lessons or a full rec season). With a few hundred courts ... and constant whistles, your player will either love it (and want "all the things") or will decide then and there that club volleyball isn't for them.
An early look at the rankings after only a weekend or two events reveals some differences between vanilla AES and the new USAV.
Just looking at the 15s age group, there are a handful of teams that have not lost a match, yet these teams are not ranked in the same order. For those teams, it looks like each one has the same number of matches on each list ... thus far, so those events must be USAV-approved (I'm assuming USAV is has more stringent 'qualification' requirement.)
However, there are three CHRVA teams that have recorded matches from any event at ?Spooky Nook?. Those matches are reflected in AES, but not USAV. I guess that implies that the event was not USAV-sanctioned/recognized.
https://www.advancedeventsystems.com/rankings/Female/U15/aes
https://www.advancedeventsystems.com/rankings/Female/U15/usav
Just looking at the 15s age group, there are a handful of teams that have not lost a match, yet these teams are not ranked in the same order. For those teams, it looks like each one has the same number of matches on each list ... thus far, so those events must be USAV-approved (I'm assuming USAV is has more stringent 'qualification' requirement.)
However, there are three CHRVA teams that have recorded matches from any event at ?Spooky Nook?. Those matches are reflected in AES, but not USAV. I guess that implies that the event was not USAV-sanctioned/recognized.
https://www.advancedeventsystems.com/rankings/Female/U15/aes
https://www.advancedeventsystems.com/rankings/Female/U15/usav
New USAV ranking system for 2024?
https://usavolleyball.org/play/usa-volleyball-national-rankings/
I wonder if/how this system will diverge from the "normal" AES rankings.
https://usavolleyball.org/play/usa-volleyball-national-rankings/
I wonder if/how this system will diverge from the "normal" AES rankings.
Depends on the sport. The Suburban Friendship League (soccer) has codified what the previous poster offered:
https://www.sflsoccer.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/fall-2023-rules.pdf
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X. Law 10 – Determining the Outcome of A Match
A. Mercy Rule
1. When the goal differential between two teams has reached four (4), the winning team is obligated to remove a player from the field. This continues for each additional goal scored until the minimum number of players needed to play the game is reached, i.e., seven (7) players for games playing the 11 v 11 format and six (6) players for games playing the 9 v 9 format. (Some examples follow ...)
https://www.sflsoccer.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/fall-2023-rules.pdf
...
X. Law 10 – Determining the Outcome of A Match
A. Mercy Rule
1. When the goal differential between two teams has reached four (4), the winning team is obligated to remove a player from the field. This continues for each additional goal scored until the minimum number of players needed to play the game is reached, i.e., seven (7) players for games playing the 11 v 11 format and six (6) players for games playing the 9 v 9 format. (Some examples follow ...)