My middle school girl is trying volleyball for the first time and she’s on a rec team that is extremely weak. She and one other girl are the standouts. We will see the season through obviously, but I’m trying to figure out a way for her to join another rec league or try out for select or travel to get her some more practice time. She’s asking me to do more than once a week practice than her rec team does. Any suggestions? |
How is she a standout? Rec league games are just getting started. Some of you... |
She’s a standout because she can already overhand serve and consistently get to the ball, she’s covering other positions around her because the other girls barely move their feet. She told me she’s frustrated and wants more practice and playing time with girls who are at least trying to do well. -OP |
Look for camps and clinics. I am not sure what you want to hear because registration has closed for other teams and tryouts have happened for travel teams. Work on prepping her for next season and talk to parents to find out about Club Volley. It sounds like you think you're better than others but trust me--it will be eye opening. |
There may be an opportunity to see some decent local club volleyball this upcoming weekend. The Chesapeake Region (CHRVA) is holding its "non-bid" championships in Jessup (Maryland Juniors) and Springfield (The St. James).
Here's the schedule: https://results.advancedeventsystems.com/event/PTAwMDAwMzM2MDM90/home (elementary/middle school ages on Saturday; high schoolers on Sunday) Bear in mind that these aren't the very top teams in the area, but you should get to see some decent play. I'm guessing that there would be no admission costs at the Jessup site, but there may be an entry fee at The St. James. If anything, your player will either be entirely turned off by club volleyball or will want to go all-in. |
St. James Hybrid Program
Virginia Elite Setting Academy These have current open programming. Take some time to check out this website: https://www.novavolleyballalliance.org/ |
Where are you located OP? There are some clinics and a Co-Ed league happening in Montgomery County rec. Co-Ed will have higher level players. |
Thank you so much, the website is super helpful! -op |
We live in Sterling, but we are traveling to the Vienna rec league. -op |
You have NVVA right there in Sterling. Sign her up for clinics. They run year round and she can go to as many as she want plus open gyms. The monthly package is a better deal than individual sessions. https://www.nvvaplus.com/ |
A tournament will be overwhelming for someone who just started playing. But you can check out some of the games and you will see beginners all the way to solid intermediate players (the best teams in the region will not compete in the non-bid championship). If you have your eyes on any particular club, you can figure out their schedule and - maybe - ask your player to introduce herself to the coach. Just don't mention anything about your kid being a standout. |
This is bad advice. It’s April, don’t go up to a coach at a club during a tournament to to introduce your kid. OP’s kid wants to play more, not just watch, and is just starting out. Go to the clinics and camps suggested by other posters and in the fall join a program through one of the clubs rather than VYI rec. |
FYI-my DD also just started rec league and she can also over hand serve. More than half the girls on our team are new to Volley and they can over hand serve. I'd focus on letting her enjoy the season and being the star. I don't see the issue. As for wanting more than 1/week practice, that's a separate issue but you knew that when you signed up. |
What I didn’t know is that the team would be run by completely incompetent high school freshman who either show up late or have absolutely no agenda for practice. It turns into the girls just scrimmaging with no technical skill instruction whatsoever.
-op |
That's a bummer. League should have communicated they needed coaches or that it would be teen led. |