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Anonymous wrote:For anybody whose DD attended Metro or Paramount tryouts this season (or any of the other more competitive clubs that are a step down from those two), how did the tryout process go there? Just trying to prepare myself for next season when I know my kid is inevitably going to want to tryout for those two clubs.

We tried out for Metro Central and East. We're a new family to this as well. We didn't know that Metro was a "top" club. We just picked the clubs that were closest to our house. Traffic and logistics in this area are a nightmare. IMO the Sunday Nov. 5th tryout was a disaster. There were 100 girls in a small gym all trying out for 4 different teams at the same time. How you can evaluate players under those conditions I have no idea. Based upon what I've learned from this thread, to prepare for next years club tryouts; make sure she's playing in HS, participate in the club's camps and clinics, and email the coaches ahead of time to see how many open roster spots they anticipate having and what positions. No need in wasting time and money if they already have an idea of who's going to make club. If they are honest with you they may be forthcoming with that information. I know some will argue that clubs aren't preselected but this was my experience. Perhaps not all 12 positions but certainly some offers will have already been extended and some will have been promoted up from the previous age tier.

Let's be honest. For Metro Travel... if your daughter is NOT on a competitive (public or private school) HS varsity team as a freshman or sophomore (not bench warmer) they don't have a chance at playing for Metro Travel.

Nobody cares about HS in club volleyball world. Some of the best metro players of the past 10 yrs are on dire HS teams.

Agreed - the reason some high school teams are so good (e.g., Flint Hill, Holy Cross, O'Connell) is because they have many players who play on highly competitive club teams, not they other way around. The fact that these players are on a good high school team has no impact on what club team they play on.

As more private high school recruit to maintain the high level of volleyball play, the less chance for girls new to the sport wanting to break into volleyball in high school. A new player would end up on the bench if she makes the team and won't get the game touches she needs to get better. Unless you play for Metro Travel, would not send my DD to Flint Hill. O'Connell's head coach recruit heavily but at least Catholic school is a bit cheaper than FH. Holy Cross's head coach is know for developing players....he coach 12U at MVSA and is very good for fundamentals......

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For anybody whose DD attended Metro or Paramount tryouts this season (or any of the other more competitive clubs that are a step down from those two), how did the tryout process go there? Just trying to prepare myself for next season when I know my kid is inevitably going to want to tryout for those two clubs.

We tried out for Metro Central and East. We're a new family to this as well. We didn't know that Metro was a "top" club. We just picked the clubs that were closest to our house. Traffic and logistics in this area are a nightmare. IMO the Sunday Nov. 5th tryout was a disaster. There were 100 girls in a small gym all trying out for 4 different teams at the same time. How you can evaluate players under those conditions I have no idea. Based upon what I've learned from this thread, to prepare for next years club tryouts; make sure she's playing in HS, participate in the club's camps and clinics, and email the coaches ahead of time to see how many open roster spots they anticipate having and what positions. No need in wasting time and money if they already have an idea of who's going to make club. If they are honest with you they may be forthcoming with that information. I know some will argue that clubs aren't preselected but this was my experience. Perhaps not all 12 positions but certainly some offers will have already been extended and some will have been promoted up from the previous age tier.

Let's be honest. For Metro Travel... if your daughter is NOT on a competitive (public or private school) HS varsity team as a freshman or sophomore (not bench warmer) they don't have a chance at playing for Metro Travel.

Nobody cares about HS in club volleyball world. Some of the best metro players of the past 10 yrs are on dire HS teams.

Agreed - the reason some high school teams are so good (e.g., Flint Hill, Holy Cross, O'Connell) is because they have many players who play on highly competitive club teams, not they other way around. The fact that these players are on a good high school team has no impact on what club team they play on.

As more private high school recruit to maintain the high level of volleyball play, the less chance for girls new to the sport wanting to break into volleyball in high school. A new player would end up on the bench if she makes the team and won't get the game touches she needs to get better. Unless you play for Metro Travel, would not send my DD to Flint Hill. O'Connell's head coach recruit heavily but at least Catholic school is a bit cheaper than FH. Holy Cross's head coach is know for developing players....he coach 12U at MVSA and is very good for fundamentals......

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For anybody whose DD attended Metro or Paramount tryouts this season (or any of the other more competitive clubs that are a step down from those two), how did the tryout process go there? Just trying to prepare myself for next season when I know my kid is inevitably going to want to tryout for those two clubs.

We tried out for Metro Central and East. We're a new family to this as well. We didn't know that Metro was a "top" club. We just picked the clubs that were closest to our house. Traffic and logistics in this area are a nightmare. IMO the Sunday Nov. 5th tryout was a disaster. There were 100 girls in a small gym all trying out for 4 different teams at the same time. How you can evaluate players under those conditions I have no idea. Based upon what I've learned from this thread, to prepare for next years club tryouts; make sure she's playing in HS, participate in the club's camps and clinics, and email the coaches ahead of time to see how many open roster spots they anticipate having and what positions. No need in wasting time and money if they already have an idea of who's going to make club. If they are honest with you they may be forthcoming with that information. I know some will argue that clubs aren't preselected but this was my experience. Perhaps not all 12 positions but certainly some offers will have already been extended and some will have been promoted up from the previous age tier.

Let's be honest. For Metro Travel... if your daughter is NOT on a competitive (public or private school) HS varsity team as a freshman or sophomore (not bench warmer) they don't have a chance at playing for Metro Travel.

Nobody cares about HS in club volleyball world. Some of the best metro players of the past 10 yrs are on dire HS teams.

Agreed - the reason some high school teams are so good (e.g., Flint Hill, Holy Cross, O'Connell) is because they have many players who play on highly competitive club teams, not they other way around. The fact that these players are on a good high school team has no impact on what club team they play on.

As more private high school recruit to maintain the high level of volleyball play, the less chance for girls new to the sport wanting to break into volleyball in high school. A new player would end up on the bench if she makes the team and won't get the game touches she needs to get better. Unless you play for Metro Travel, would not send my DD to Flint Hill. O'Connell's head coach recruit heavily but at least Catholic school is a bit cheaper than FH. Holy Cross's head coach is know for developing players....he coach 12U at MVSA and is very good for fundamentals......

Which private schools are recruiting for volleyball? You must mean the Catholic league? The ISL standard of play is appalling and ironically the best HS team on the east coast (Flint Hill) is in that league, which can’t be a whole lot of fun for them. I watched some games last year and there were multiple brilliant players, now playing at college, who never saw the ball because the passing was so grim. All theses schools are focused on lacrosse, basketball or soccer.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For anybody whose DD attended Metro or Paramount tryouts this season (or any of the other more competitive clubs that are a step down from those two), how did the tryout process go there? Just trying to prepare myself for next season when I know my kid is inevitably going to want to tryout for those two clubs.

We tried out for Metro Central and East. We're a new family to this as well. We didn't know that Metro was a "top" club. We just picked the clubs that were closest to our house. Traffic and logistics in this area are a nightmare. IMO the Sunday Nov. 5th tryout was a disaster. There were 100 girls in a small gym all trying out for 4 different teams at the same time. How you can evaluate players under those conditions I have no idea. Based upon what I've learned from this thread, to prepare for next years club tryouts; make sure she's playing in HS, participate in the club's camps and clinics, and email the coaches ahead of time to see how many open roster spots they anticipate having and what positions. No need in wasting time and money if they already have an idea of who's going to make club. If they are honest with you they may be forthcoming with that information. I know some will argue that clubs aren't preselected but this was my experience. Perhaps not all 12 positions but certainly some offers will have already been extended and some will have been promoted up from the previous age tier.

Let's be honest. For Metro Travel... if your daughter is NOT on a competitive (public or private school) HS varsity team as a freshman or sophomore (not bench warmer) they don't have a chance at playing for Metro Travel.

Nobody cares about HS in club volleyball world. Some of the best metro players of the past 10 yrs are on dire HS teams.

Agreed - the reason some high school teams are so good (e.g., Flint Hill, Holy Cross, O'Connell) is because they have many players who play on highly competitive club teams, not they other way around. The fact that these players are on a good high school team has no impact on what club team they play on.

As more private high school recruit to maintain the high level of volleyball play, the less chance for girls new to the sport wanting to break into volleyball in high school. A new player would end up on the bench if she makes the team and won't get the game touches she needs to get better. Unless you play for Metro Travel, would not send my DD to Flint Hill. O'Connell's head coach recruit heavily but at least Catholic school is a bit cheaper than FH. Holy Cross's head coach is know for developing players....he coach 12U at MVSA and is very good for fundamentals......

Which private schools are recruiting for volleyball? You must mean the Catholic league? The ISL standard of play is appalling and ironically the best HS team on the east coast (Flint Hill) is in that league, which can’t be a whole lot of fun for them. I watched some games last year and there were multiple brilliant players, now playing at college, who never saw the ball because the passing was so grim. All theses schools are focused on lacrosse, basketball or soccer.

Three ISL teams (Flint Hill, Bullis, and GDS) spent all season in the Washington Post top 10 for volleyball (GDS just won the DC championship by sweeping all three of their opponents). There is a drop-off after that to Visitation, Potomac, and a couple others, but the upper division of the ISL is far from "appalling," and a couple of the lower division teams are at least competitive. All of the private schools recruit one way or another. The Catholic schools are more open about it, but the ISL schools recruit too (and not just Flint Hill, who always seems to get 2-3 studs as freshmen who didn't go there for middle school).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For anybody whose DD attended Metro or Paramount tryouts this season (or any of the other more competitive clubs that are a step down from those two), how did the tryout process go there? Just trying to prepare myself for next season when I know my kid is inevitably going to want to tryout for those two clubs.

We tried out for Metro Central and East. We're a new family to this as well. We didn't know that Metro was a "top" club. We just picked the clubs that were closest to our house. Traffic and logistics in this area are a nightmare. IMO the Sunday Nov. 5th tryout was a disaster. There were 100 girls in a small gym all trying out for 4 different teams at the same time. How you can evaluate players under those conditions I have no idea. Based upon what I've learned from this thread, to prepare for next years club tryouts; make sure she's playing in HS, participate in the club's camps and clinics, and email the coaches ahead of time to see how many open roster spots they anticipate having and what positions. No need in wasting time and money if they already have an idea of who's going to make club. If they are honest with you they may be forthcoming with that information. I know some will argue that clubs aren't preselected but this was my experience. Perhaps not all 12 positions but certainly some offers will have already been extended and some will have been promoted up from the previous age tier.

Let's be honest. For Metro Travel... if your daughter is NOT on a competitive (public or private school) HS varsity team as a freshman or sophomore (not bench warmer) they don't have a chance at playing for Metro Travel.

Nobody cares about HS in club volleyball world. Some of the best metro players of the past 10 yrs are on dire HS teams.

Agreed - the reason some high school teams are so good (e.g., Flint Hill, Holy Cross, O'Connell) is because they have many players who play on highly competitive club teams, not they other way around. The fact that these players are on a good high school team has no impact on what club team they play on.

As more private high school recruit to maintain the high level of volleyball play, the less chance for girls new to the sport wanting to break into volleyball in high school. A new player would end up on the bench if she makes the team and won't get the game touches she needs to get better. Unless you play for Metro Travel, would not send my DD to Flint Hill. O'Connell's head coach recruit heavily but at least Catholic school is a bit cheaper than FH. Holy Cross's head coach is know for developing players....he coach 12U at MVSA and is very good for fundamentals......

Which private schools are recruiting for volleyball? You must mean the Catholic league? The ISL standard of play is appalling and ironically the best HS team on the east coast (Flint Hill) is in that league, which can’t be a whole lot of fun for them. I watched some games last year and there were multiple brilliant players, now playing at college, who never saw the ball because the passing was so grim. All theses schools are focused on lacrosse, basketball or soccer.

Three ISL teams (Flint Hill, Bullis, and GDS) spent all season in the Washington Post top 10 for volleyball (GDS just won the DC championship by sweeping all three of their opponents). There is a drop-off after that to Visitation, Potomac, and a couple others, but the upper division of the ISL is far from "appalling," and a couple of the lower division teams are at least competitive. All of the private schools recruit one way or another. The Catholic schools are more open about it, but the ISL schools recruit too (and not just Flint Hill, who always seems to get 2-3 studs as freshmen who didn't go there for middle school).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For anybody whose DD attended Metro or Paramount tryouts this season (or any of the other more competitive clubs that are a step down from those two), how did the tryout process go there? Just trying to prepare myself for next season when I know my kid is inevitably going to want to tryout for those two clubs.

We tried out for Metro Central and East. We're a new family to this as well. We didn't know that Metro was a "top" club. We just picked the clubs that were closest to our house. Traffic and logistics in this area are a nightmare. IMO the Sunday Nov. 5th tryout was a disaster. There were 100 girls in a small gym all trying out for 4 different teams at the same time. How you can evaluate players under those conditions I have no idea. Based upon what I've learned from this thread, to prepare for next years club tryouts; make sure she's playing in HS, participate in the club's camps and clinics, and email the coaches ahead of time to see how many open roster spots they anticipate having and what positions. No need in wasting time and money if they already have an idea of who's going to make club. If they are honest with you they may be forthcoming with that information. I know some will argue that clubs aren't preselected but this was my experience. Perhaps not all 12 positions but certainly some offers will have already been extended and some will have been promoted up from the previous age tier.

Let's be honest. For Metro Travel... if your daughter is NOT on a competitive (public or private school) HS varsity team as a freshman or sophomore (not bench warmer) they don't have a chance at playing for Metro Travel.

Nobody cares about HS in club volleyball world. Some of the best metro players of the past 10 yrs are on dire HS teams.

Agreed - the reason some high school teams are so good (e.g., Flint Hill, Holy Cross, O'Connell) is because they have many players who play on highly competitive club teams, not they other way around. The fact that these players are on a good high school team has no impact on what club team they play on.

As more private high school recruit to maintain the high level of volleyball play, the less chance for girls new to the sport wanting to break into volleyball in high school. A new player would end up on the bench if she makes the team and won't get the game touches she needs to get better. Unless you play for Metro Travel, would not send my DD to Flint Hill. O'Connell's head coach recruit heavily but at least Catholic school is a bit cheaper than FH. Holy Cross's head coach is know for developing players....he coach 12U at MVSA and is very good for fundamentals......

Which private schools are recruiting for volleyball? You must mean the Catholic league? The ISL standard of play is appalling and ironically the best HS team on the east coast (Flint Hill) is in that league, which can’t be a whole lot of fun for them. I watched some games last year and there were multiple brilliant players, now playing at college, who never saw the ball because the passing was so grim. All theses schools are focused on lacrosse, basketball or soccer.

Three ISL teams (Flint Hill, Bullis, and GDS) spent all season in the Washington Post top 10 for volleyball (GDS just won the DC championship by sweeping all three of their opponents). There is a drop-off after that to Visitation, Potomac, and a couple others, but the upper division of the ISL is far from "appalling," and a couple of the lower division teams are at least competitive. All of the private schools recruit one way or another. The Catholic schools are more open about it, but the ISL schools recruit too (and not just Flint Hill, who always seems to get 2-3 studs as freshmen who didn't go there for middle school).

I’m sorry but GDS and Bullis may be good for the ISL but they’d get their a** handed to them by any mid ranking HS team. And please, the DC championship…..

Anonymous wrote:According to their record, Holy Cross is the only true elite HS volleyball program this year. They beat all the “top” teams this year with an undefeated season.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There's no question that HS and club volleyball are connected in some ways. Certainly many HS coaches also coach club, and will encourage their players to play club, perhaps even at the club or on the team that they coach. I think the reason that 15s and 16s tend to be the age groups with the highest number of teams is that when girls make the 9th grade or JV team for their high school, the coaches tell them that if they want to increase the likelihood that they will make varsity next year they need to play club.

That said, earlier in this thread it was stated that

Let's be honest. For Metro Travel... if your daughter is NOT on a competitive (public or private school) HS varsity team as a freshman or sophomore (not bench warmer) they don't have a chance at playing for Metro Travel.

I agree that if your DD is good enough to make Metro Travel or Paramount, then they are good enough to make (and probably play) at almost any local HS as a freshman or sophomore, and conversely if they didn't make varsity as a freshman/sophomore then they likely won't make these teams either. But I don't think the performance of their HS school team has much (if any) bearing on whether they make these club teams or not. As has been said there are plenty of Metro Travel and Paramount players on not great HS teams.

As has been stated previously, HS vball is not relevant to club or college. There are plenty of top tier club players representing dreadful HS teams. Similarly, probably the most dominant local HS team of the past few years, only had 2 top tier players (one playing out of position) and a bunch of low tier players. There just isn’t the depth in the HS teams that you get in club. Not much point in having the best hitter in the DMV if the team can’t get the ball to them. If your kid’s not making a contribution to your HS team as a freshman (unless you’re at Flint Hill) your chances of making the top 5-6 clubs in the region are zero.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There's no question that HS and club volleyball are connected in some ways. Certainly many HS coaches also coach club, and will encourage their players to play club, perhaps even at the club or on the team that they coach. I think the reason that 15s and 16s tend to be the age groups with the highest number of teams is that when girls make the 9th grade or JV team for their high school, the coaches tell them that if they want to increase the likelihood that they will make varsity next year they need to play club.

That said, earlier in this thread it was stated that

Let's be honest. For Metro Travel... if your daughter is NOT on a competitive (public or private school) HS varsity team as a freshman or sophomore (not bench warmer) they don't have a chance at playing for Metro Travel.

I agree that if your DD is good enough to make Metro Travel or Paramount, then they are good enough to make (and probably play) at almost any local HS as a freshman or sophomore, and conversely if they didn't make varsity as a freshman/sophomore then they likely won't make these teams either. But I don't think the performance of their HS school team has much (if any) bearing on whether they make these club teams or not. As has been said there are plenty of Metro Travel and Paramount players on not great HS teams.

As has been stated previously, HS vball is not relevant to club or college. There are plenty of top tier club players representing dreadful HS teams. Similarly, probably the most dominant local HS team of the past few years, only had 2 top tier players (one playing out of position) and a bunch of low tier players. There just isn’t the depth in the HS teams that you get in club. Not much point in having the best hitter in the DMV if the team can’t get the ball to them. If your kid’s not making a contribution to your HS team as a freshman (unless you’re at Flint Hill) your chances of making the top 5-6 clubs in the region are zero.

You don’t win state championships in the big school classification in VA with low tier players starting. Insulting to those girls and also ignorant to say.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:According to their record, Holy Cross is the only true elite HS volleyball program this year. They beat all the “top” teams this year with an undefeated season.

And they would lose pretty comprehensively to the top 5 club teams

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For anybody whose DD attended Metro or Paramount tryouts this season (or any of the other more competitive clubs that are a step down from those two), how did the tryout process go there? Just trying to prepare myself for next season when I know my kid is inevitably going to want to tryout for those two clubs.

Unless your kid is being recruited by those clubs, they have zero chance of making it. Best thing is to be the superstar on their current team and maybe, you’ll get an informal chat

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I think it all depends on the club. For lower and mid clubs like Vienna Elite second and third teams will not preselect. For first teams maybe a few.
Same with mojo pink teams, Loudoun elite, etc. The preselect comes in play with top teams like Metro Travel, Paramount, and VA Juniors.

I wouldn’t consider Vienna Elite a “lower or mid club.” Their 1s teams are quite competitive.

They’re precisely a Midtier club in my view

What else is considered “Midtier” vs “lower” club? I don’t agree with this categorization either.

Simplest way to explain the hierarchy:

Metro Travel and Paramount

Competitive, but not Metro Travel/Paramount: VAE, VAJrs., MDJrs, Blue Ridge, MVSA (good at younger age groups)

Mid-Tier: EC Power (MOJO now, I guess), MOCO, Vienna Elite, and several others

Low-Tier: anybody not named above


Anybody else not named above would be considered low tier