Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The volleyball players in this area who are trying to make it on a college roster are in minority. It's funny how out of touch this advice is taking into account that most play volleyball for fun, being fully aware that their chances of playing in college are minimal.

+1

With that being the case, then I really don't understand why a parent would want their kid to play anything other than the age group that corresponds with their grade. Why would a 9th grader want to play on a team of mostly 8th graders or why would a player without competitive ambitions want to play with older players?

Anonymous wrote:The volleyball players in this area who are trying to make it on a college roster are in minority. It's funny how out of touch this advice is taking into account that most play volleyball for fun, being fully aware that their chances of playing in college are minimal.

+1

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Usually clubs that limit the number trying out is because the gym or facility where they are holding tryouts can only accommodate so many players at any given time. They will often have multiple timeslots/dates and makeup tryouts to try and see as many potential players as possible.

In terms of what age group your DD might be in, it’s usually best to play with their grade level, so 12s is 6th grade, 13s is 7th, 14s is 8th, 15s is 9th, etc. Sometimes girls who are really good will play up an age group and occasionally someone with a late birthday might be eligible to play in the age group younger than their grade, but there normally isn’t a good reason to do this.

I wouldn't say age level is best. It's based on when in the year you are born in. Plus it's not one age per grade it's more 11/12 6th 12/13 7th 13/14 8th 14/15 9th 15/16 10th etc....

The primary reasons I think grade level is best are 1) many kids play for a club that is convenient to where they live meaning if there are other players from their school on the team, they would be more comfortable with their grade level peers and 2) NCAA recruiting rules are based on grade level and playing in an age group out of sync with your grade level can be a little more complicated if you’re trying to play in college.

The volleyball players in this area who are trying to make it on a college roster are in minority. It's funny how out of touch this advice is taking into account that most play volleyball for fun, being fully aware that their chances of playing in college are minimal.

Anonymous wrote:Usually clubs that limit the number trying out is because the gym or facility where they are holding tryouts can only accommodate so many players at any given time. They will often have multiple timeslots/dates and makeup tryouts to try and see as many potential players as possible.

In terms of what age group your DD might be in, it’s usually best to play with their grade level, so 12s is 6th grade, 13s is 7th, 14s is 8th, 15s is 9th, etc. Sometimes girls who are really good will play up an age group and occasionally someone with a late birthday might be eligible to play in the age group younger than their grade, but there normally isn’t a good reason to do this.

My DD's birthday allows her to play up at her age level or up at her grade level. She started volleyball pretty late and her grade level is more competitive that her age level. She has the choice of playing age level in a top team or grade level in a middle team. So I guess there is a good reason to consider both options depending on what you want to get from club volleyball. Saying that "there normally isn’t a good reason to do this" ignores good reasons to do it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Usually clubs that limit the number trying out is because the gym or facility where they are holding tryouts can only accommodate so many players at any given time. They will often have multiple timeslots/dates and makeup tryouts to try and see as many potential players as possible.

In terms of what age group your DD might be in, it’s usually best to play with their grade level, so 12s is 6th grade, 13s is 7th, 14s is 8th, 15s is 9th, etc. Sometimes girls who are really good will play up an age group and occasionally someone with a late birthday might be eligible to play in the age group younger than their grade, but there normally isn’t a good reason to do this.

I wouldn't say age level is best. It's based on when in the year you are born in. Plus it's not one age per grade it's more 11/12 6th 12/13 7th 13/14 8th 14/15 9th 15/16 10th etc....

The primary reasons I think grade level is best are 1) many kids play for a club that is convenient to where they live meaning if there are other players from their school on the team, they would be more comfortable with their grade level peers and 2) NCAA recruiting rules are based on grade level and playing in an age group out of sync with your grade level can be a little more complicated if you’re trying to play in college.

Anonymous wrote:Usually clubs that limit the number trying out is because the gym or facility where they are holding tryouts can only accommodate so many players at any given time. They will often have multiple timeslots/dates and makeup tryouts to try and see as many potential players as possible.

In terms of what age group your DD might be in, it’s usually best to play with their grade level, so 12s is 6th grade, 13s is 7th, 14s is 8th, 15s is 9th, etc. Sometimes girls who are really good will play up an age group and occasionally someone with a late birthday might be eligible to play in the age group younger than their grade, but there normally isn’t a good reason to do this.

I wouldn't say age level is best. It's based on when in the year you are born in. Plus it's not one age per grade it's more 11/12 6th 12/13 7th 13/14 8th 14/15 9th 15/16 10th etc....

Anonymous wrote:There are no dumb questions. Your DD will be U 14 or U15 depending on her birthday (the cutoff is in July).

You should strategize your tryouts depending on how good your DD is at volleyball. Tall, skilled, very competitive - that sounds like Metro. With no volleyball experience, your best chance is Platform (it will be difficult to make a U15 team with no volleyball experience in any club). In between, you can consider MOCO, a top Platform team, or Metro regionals. The tryouts are in November: each club will post their schedule a few weeks prior. To have a better chance at making a team, show up to some clinics.

I hope I answered your questions - let me know if you have more.

I agree that there are no dumb questions. But I disagree that - without knowing where OP lives and what options OP is looking at (if any) for her DD to take clinics/camps this summer to be ready to try out for her high school team - I disagree that Metro. MOCO or Platform are her main options. There are so many more teams, and so many more options depending on what her DD and family are willing to do now this summer to try to get her ready to try out for her high school and whether she plays JV or V or rec for Fall 2025.

OP I basically just said the steps I recommend: If you can, have your DD sign up for DMV volleyball camps (day camps, week long camps, clinics by popular DMV clubs), and find out what your DD's options are in her high school. Do they have a team? How competitive does school say tryouts are? Tryout anyway because you never know, and if she gets on JV or Varsity, great, but also ask what her options are if she doesn't get on a team. Playing for Fall school season will really help with getting her some experience before club tryouts begin which will likely be early Nov 2025 for Spring 2026 club season.

In the meantime look for recent threads on clinics and camps open for this summer; many will already be full but you never know. If money isn't an issue, and your DD is up for an overnight camp, try Nike Camp for volleyball (many options in this area). My DD did it several years and always felt like it was worth the money because she felt like she really did develop some skills in the 3 or 4 days she was there. (Camps are on college campuses in area and all over US).

And once you figure out your summer plan, go back and read and read other discussions here with families that are new to volleyball (I don't know if older threads are here or in the general sports category; this subcategory is new). Good luck! Ask more questions if you have them and let us know how things go!

Usually clubs that limit the number trying out is because the gym or facility where they are holding tryouts can only accommodate so many players at any given time. They will often have multiple timeslots/dates and makeup tryouts to try and see as many potential players as possible.

In terms of what age group your DD might be in, it’s usually best to play with their grade level, so 12s is 6th grade, 13s is 7th, 14s is 8th, 15s is 9th, etc. Sometimes girls who are really good will play up an age group and occasionally someone with a late birthday might be eligible to play in the age group younger than their grade, but there normally isn’t a good reason to do this.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think MOCO is the only club that has a limit, but they open a waitlist and they likely accommodate everyone. They also charge the most for tryouts (they actually lose money if they turn players away). Most other clubs don't play that game because they get to brag about how many players show up for tryouts. Keep an eye on the pre-tryout clinics / leagues - they are a good way for the clubs to get to know your DD. Lower level clubs organize multiple tryouts, trying to pick players who didn't receive offers from top clubs.

Follow up questions (Sorry for asking so many): Are tryouts only by age groups or are there different ones for highest level, middle level, and lowest level? How many people are there per tryout session?

Thank you! I will definitely sign her up for the clinic!

It depends on the club. Top clubs have more than a hundred players trying out for 30 spots and they will organize their tryouts based on age. Lower level clubs have fewer players trying out, so they include multiple age groups at the same time.

Anonymous wrote:I think MOCO is the only club that has a limit, but they open a waitlist and they likely accommodate everyone. They also charge the most for tryouts (they actually lose money if they turn players away). Most other clubs don't play that game because they get to brag about how many players show up for tryouts. Keep an eye on the pre-tryout clinics / leagues - they are a good way for the clubs to get to know your DD. Lower level clubs organize multiple tryouts, trying to pick players who didn't receive offers from top clubs.

Follow up questions (Sorry for asking so many): Are tryouts only by age groups or are there different ones for highest level, middle level, and lowest level? How many people are there per tryout session?


Thank you! I will definitely sign her up for the clinic!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are no dumb questions. Your DD will be U 14 or U15 depending on her birthday (the cutoff is in July).

You should strategize your tryouts depending on how good your DD is at volleyball. Tall, skilled, very competitive - that sounds like Metro. With no volleyball experience, your best chance is Platform (it will be difficult to make a U15 team with no volleyball experience in any club). In between, you can consider MOCO, a top Platform team, or Metro regionals. The tryouts are in November: each club will post their schedule a few weeks prior. To have a better chance at making a team, show up to some clinics.

I hope I answered your questions - let me know if you have more.

Question: Are tryout spots usually limited? Would it be best to sign up as early as possible.

I think MOCO is the only club that has a limit, but they open a waitlist and they likely accommodate everyone. They also charge the most for tryouts (they actually lose money if they turn players away). Most other clubs don't play that game because they get to brag about how many players show up for tryouts. Keep an eye on the pre-tryout clinics / leagues - they are a good way for the clubs to get to know your DD. Lower level clubs organize multiple tryouts, trying to pick players who didn't receive offers from top clubs.

Anonymous wrote:There are no dumb questions. Your DD will be U 14 or U15 depending on her birthday (the cutoff is in July).

You should strategize your tryouts depending on how good your DD is at volleyball. Tall, skilled, very competitive - that sounds like Metro. With no volleyball experience, your best chance is Platform (it will be difficult to make a U15 team with no volleyball experience in any club). In between, you can consider MOCO, a top Platform team, or Metro regionals. The tryouts are in November: each club will post their schedule a few weeks prior. To have a better chance at making a team, show up to some clinics.

I hope I answered your questions - let me know if you have more.

Question: Are tryout spots usually limited? Would it be best to sign up as early as possible.

Anonymous wrote:There are no dumb questions. Your DD will be U 14 or U15 depending on her birthday (the cutoff is in July).

You should strategize your tryouts depending on how good your DD is at volleyball. Tall, skilled, very competitive - that sounds like Metro. With no volleyball experience, your best chance is Platform (it will be difficult to make a U15 team with no volleyball experience in any club). In between, you can consider MOCO, a top Platform team, or Metro regionals. The tryouts are in November: each club will post their schedule a few weeks prior. To have a better chance at making a team, show up to some clinics.

I hope I answered your questions - let me know if you have more.

Thank you for this.

There are no dumb questions. Your DD will be U 14 or U15 depending on her birthday (the cutoff is in July).

You should strategize your tryouts depending on how good your DD is at volleyball. Tall, skilled, very competitive - that sounds like Metro. With no volleyball experience, your best chance is Platform (it will be difficult to make a U15 team with no volleyball experience in any club). In between, you can consider MOCO, a top Platform team, or Metro regionals. The tryouts are in November: each club will post their schedule a few weeks prior. To have a better chance at making a team, show up to some clinics.

I hope I answered your questions - let me know if you have more.

I don't really know how club volleyball works and I'm a bit confused. My daughter (I think she is either 14U or 15U for 25-26) wants to tryout for a club (Still deciding whether to do MoCo, Metro, Platform) but we moved here from another country and don't know how it works. We've looked at the website but still are a bit confused about what CHRVA is, what they look for in players at tryouts, and how registration works. Sorry if these sound like dumb questions.