My kid (9th grader) is in her first year on a travel VB team at The St. James. She did not pick up the sport until 8th grade (middle school). To be fair, the kid has been playing soccer since pre-kindergarten. She has six years of travel soccer (via FPYC) experience, so some of the development has likely transferred over to volleyball.

Since you are near/close to Springfield, I can tell you that they are hosting beginner clinics every Friday evening. I don't know if these sessions are part of a series (where you had to start at the beginning) or if you can just sign up for the next session.

https://www.thestjames.com/sports/volleyball

Looks like a new Tuesday series is about to start on April 18th.

Boarding a plane tomorrow for Big South. DD's team has yet to earn a bid to Chicago. Philadelphia next weekend.

Other than the bids listed above, have any others been earned by CHRVA teams? (I'd be interested in the bid tracking website, if anyone knows where to find it.)

I see that the Paramount 16s now have this "16 USA" icon when listed on the standings of the recent regional (<== link). What does that signify (since no other team across 14s, 15s, and 16s seem to have a similar designation)?

Thanks for the breakdown on bids. Much to learn, I have.