+1

Particularly because players use AES rankings to compare teams when determining where to try out and which offers to take.

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone have thoughts on DC Academy's chances of growing into a competitive club? Coach Amy, who founded the club, was successful at MoCo. This will be her third year running her own club. My daughter played for them in years one and two, and they were not very competitive. I think the coaching staff is great, but I have a kid who loves playing there but would like to win some games. She has improved a ton and was easily one of the better kids on her jv team.

It seems like there is a focus on recruitment and they've been running a ton of clinics so I'm cautiously optimistic.

Thoughts?

They are two years old in terms of years played, so a toddler in club terms. The first two years haven't shown meaningful growth in team results. Their 13s from 2 years ago was made up largely of new players and a few club players that came over with her when they moved. Their 14s the next year performed much worse than their 13s team did the prior year. Their 16s from two years ago performed about the same as their 17s the next year. While individual growth for specific players might have been good (she is a good coach), the overall growth of the players in the club has been variable. If past performance is an indicator of future results then the expectation would be that they won't be more competitive this year.

Its yet to be seen if Academy can develop recruitable players from a set of players that they grow from inside the club. Its relatively straightforward to take a set of players from different clubs with recruitable potential and get them seen by the right colleges. Its a completely different thing to develop recruitable players from a younger age (U14-U15). Very few experienced volleyball families who are looking for that level of development would have Academy on their list. Maybe that changes in the future, a couple of years from now.

If you are HS age and playing JV as one of the better players its important to remember that HS JV can be really variable in its relative performance level. If everyone around you is a club player playing on a top team and you are the best player then you might have college potential. If you are one of a few clubs players and everyone plays on club teams that tend to perform poorly, then you its much less likely you are college potential.

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone have thoughts on DC Academy's chances of growing into a competitive club? Coach Amy, who founded the club, was successful at MoCo. This will be her third year running her own club. My daughter played for them in years one and two, and they were not very competitive. I think the coaching staff is great, but I have a kid who loves playing there but would like to win some games. She has improved a ton and was easily one of the better kids on her jv team.

It seems like there is a focus on recruitment and they've been running a ton of clinics so I'm cautiously optimistic.

Thoughts?

As long as it is known as a less competitive team, she will attract less competitive players. It is hard to break this cycle without some good incentives for the good players to show up. MVSA has a great incentive (price) to attract some of the top players in the region. MOCO and MEVC are priced in the same range as Academy and they are known as great clubs, so that's where good players will go. Even if you have a good player here and there, the quality of the other players will bring the team down. My advice for any player is to find the most competitive team they cam play on. If you attach yourself to a mediocre club, you will start every season with a brand new team of mediocre players, which will delay your development.

The focus on recruitment is misguided. The only players who may be recruited are the original players in the team she took from MOCO. Once that team is gone, she won't have anything to show for all the recruitment efforts.

Does anyone have thoughts on DC Academy's chances of growing into a competitive club? Coach Amy, who founded the club, was successful at MoCo. This will be her third year running her own club. My daughter played for them in years one and two, and they were not very competitive. I think the coaching staff is great, but I have a kid who loves playing there but would like to win some games. She has improved a ton and was easily one of the better kids on her jv team.

It seems like there is a focus on recruitment and they've been running a ton of clinics so I'm cautiously optimistic.

Thoughts?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DD played for NVVA a few years ago before the change over to the full XP format, so I can’t comment on how they are now. She started there, like many club players, with their Galaxy program and on their former club teams. Back then they were great as a first club team. They are worth looking into.

Why did NVVA decline?

You will get different opinions on that. They are no longer a member of Chrva and used to be. They don’t enter top tournaments. Their focus is more developmental. Possibly any of these.

Anonymous wrote:DD played for NVVA a few years ago before the change over to the full XP format, so I can’t comment on how they are now. She started there, like many club players, with their Galaxy program and on their former club teams. Back then they were great as a first club team. They are worth looking into.

Why did NVVA decline?

DD played for NVVA a few years ago before the change over to the full XP format, so I can’t comment on how they are now. She started there, like many club players, with their Galaxy program and on their former club teams. Back then they were great as a first club team. They are worth looking into.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Totally agree with this. XP's first tryout is tonight and they have multiple teams at every age level. It was our backup plan. We also saw a lot of girls this weekend at other club tryouts with XP backpacks. I think thats a good sign that you can get good enough experience and move up to other clubs in the future if thats what you want to do.

DD tried out for and played on XP last year after not getting an offer from other teams. Overall it worked out well - she grew a lot as a player and got an offer from her first choice club team this year. Would definitely recommend trying out if your daughter is still looking for a spot.

It seems like NVVA is quickly becoming a training ground for many girls. They run their own club (usually 4 teams per age group), which leaves a ton of opportunity for girls who want to play and develop skills. We have not played for or againt XP, but do use some of their coaches for private instruction. They're worth a look for teams and training if you don't yet have a team or are looking for lessons.

Honestly, it's a great business model that is filling an important niche for kids in the region who want to play volleyball at a higher level. Kudos to NVVA's new ownership!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Totally agree with this. XP's first tryout is tonight and they have multiple teams at every age level. It was our backup plan. We also saw a lot of girls this weekend at other club tryouts with XP backpacks. I think thats a good sign that you can get good enough experience and move up to other clubs in the future if thats what you want to do.

DD tried out for and played on XP last year after not getting an offer from other teams. Overall it worked out well - she grew a lot as a player and got an offer from her first choice club team this year. Would definitely recommend trying out if your daughter is still looking for a spot.

It seems like NVVA is quickly becoming a training ground for many girls. They run their own club (usually 4 teams per age group), which leaves a ton of opportunity for girls who want to play and develop skills. We have not played for or againt XP, but do use some of their coaches for private instruction. They're worth a look for teams and training if you don't yet have a team or are looking for lessons.

Anonymous wrote:
If anybody has any more information on how the XP tryout process fits in with everything else, I'd be interested. Specifically, other clubs require an answer by 10 PM Tuesday (today). However, XPs tryouts didn't start until yesterday (Monday), and the XP tryout results won't be sent out until earliest Wednesday. So how are athletes supposed to choose between XP and other clubs? Am I correct in thinking that XP athletes are ones that either a) didn't get an offer from any other clubs or b) they only want to tryout for XP anyway. If (b), then I guess those athletes are out of luck if XP doesn't offer them a spot, because all other club tryouts are mostly done by that point. Am I understanding this correctly?

To answer this question, NVVA/XP does is not a member of the Chesapeake region (CHRVA), and therefore is not subject to the CHRVA rules for tryout periods and offers.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We’re new to the entire club volleyball scene and DD was very intimidated by it but decided to tryout out for Vienna Elite U14 yesterday afternoon (last day of tryouts). She’s intermediate (one year of travel for a local league) so probably considered beginner in club. She’s also short (5’1”) but can play most positions (her current coaches keep her in the game the entire time for all their sets). Yesterday, at tryouts, they were told that a total of 75 girls tried out and they would be filling 24 spots for the two teams. I’ve been reading this thread and worried she may not have made it, or is no news good news? Does anyone know if Vienna Elite has made any offers for U14? Like I said, we’re new to this scene and completely understand that her chances of making the team is slim especially since she tried out on the last day and only tried out for one club.

Someone also mentioned VA Athletics Volleyball Club in this thread and it looks like they have one last tryout tonight for U14 but I haven’t heard much about this club so I’m not sure if it’s worth it to sign up. Any feedback would be much appreciated!

One option for you would be to try out for XP in Sterling. Their tryouts begin tonight. I don't think they participate in the same league as the other clubs, which is why their tryouts are this week, rather than starting last Friday.

https://www.xp-volleyball.com/programs/club-volleyball

Totally agree with this. XP's first tryout is tonight and they have multiple teams at every age level. It was our backup plan. We also saw a lot of girls this weekend at other club tryouts with XP backpacks. I think thats a good sign that you can get good enough experience and move up to other clubs in the future if thats what you want to do.

DD tried out for and played on XP last year after not getting an offer from other teams. Overall it worked out well - she grew a lot as a player and got an offer from her first choice club team this year. Would definitely recommend trying out if your daughter is still looking for a spot.

If anybody has any more information on how the XP tryout process fits in with everything else, I'd be interested. Specifically, other clubs require an answer by 10 PM Tuesday (today). However, XPs tryouts didn't start until yesterday (Monday), and the XP tryout results won't be sent out until earliest Wednesday. So how are athletes supposed to choose between XP and other clubs? Am I correct in thinking that XP athletes are ones that either a) didn't get an offer from any other clubs or b) they only want to tryout for XP anyway. If (b), then I guess those athletes are out of luck if XP doesn't offer them a spot, because all other club tryouts are mostly done by that point. Am I understanding this correctly?

Based on the XP tryout strategy, I believe they are trying to capture players who want to play, but they could not make a club team. Expect lower quality of play.

I would be careful to assume that the play is that much worse. We went to a few clinics and the other girls were not worse than regional teams or other the so-called mid or lower tier clubs. I'm not sure how they perform in regional tournaments but that might be something to research. I think it is a great club for someone with rec experience but new to club and willing to improve. That said, I think the biggest downside is that Sterling VA is a hike for most people inside the beltway. Parents really need to be available for a lot of driving during the week.

Funny how you describe the downside, as if all volleyball players are inside the beltway? We live outside the beltway - there are plenty of clubs in Sterling and Ashburn, so I have to imagine there are lots of other players in that area too

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We’re new to the entire club volleyball scene and DD was very intimidated by it but decided to tryout out for Vienna Elite U14 yesterday afternoon (last day of tryouts). She’s intermediate (one year of travel for a local league) so probably considered beginner in club. She’s also short (5’1”) but can play most positions (her current coaches keep her in the game the entire time for all their sets). Yesterday, at tryouts, they were told that a total of 75 girls tried out and they would be filling 24 spots for the two teams. I’ve been reading this thread and worried she may not have made it, or is no news good news? Does anyone know if Vienna Elite has made any offers for U14? Like I said, we’re new to this scene and completely understand that her chances of making the team is slim especially since she tried out on the last day and only tried out for one club.

Someone also mentioned VA Athletics Volleyball Club in this thread and it looks like they have one last tryout tonight for U14 but I haven’t heard much about this club so I’m not sure if it’s worth it to sign up. Any feedback would be much appreciated!

One option for you would be to try out for XP in Sterling. Their tryouts begin tonight. I don't think they participate in the same league as the other clubs, which is why their tryouts are this week, rather than starting last Friday.

https://www.xp-volleyball.com/programs/club-volleyball

Totally agree with this. XP's first tryout is tonight and they have multiple teams at every age level. It was our backup plan. We also saw a lot of girls this weekend at other club tryouts with XP backpacks. I think thats a good sign that you can get good enough experience and move up to other clubs in the future if thats what you want to do.

DD tried out for and played on XP last year after not getting an offer from other teams. Overall it worked out well - she grew a lot as a player and got an offer from her first choice club team this year. Would definitely recommend trying out if your daughter is still looking for a spot.

If anybody has any more information on how the XP tryout process fits in with everything else, I'd be interested. Specifically, other clubs require an answer by 10 PM Tuesday (today). However, XPs tryouts didn't start until yesterday (Monday), and the XP tryout results won't be sent out until earliest Wednesday. So how are athletes supposed to choose between XP and other clubs? Am I correct in thinking that XP athletes are ones that either a) didn't get an offer from any other clubs or b) they only want to tryout for XP anyway. If (b), then I guess those athletes are out of luck if XP doesn't offer them a spot, because all other club tryouts are mostly done by that point. Am I understanding this correctly?

Based on the XP tryout strategy, I believe they are trying to capture players who want to play, but they could not make a club team. Expect lower quality of play.

I would be careful to assume that the play is that much worse. We went to a few clinics and the other girls were not worse than regional teams or other the so-called mid or lower tier clubs. I'm not sure how they perform in regional tournaments but that might be something to research. I think it is a great club for someone with rec experience but new to club and willing to improve. That said, I think the biggest downside is that Sterling VA is a hike for most people inside the beltway. Parents really need to be available for a lot of driving during the week.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We’re new to the entire club volleyball scene and DD was very intimidated by it but decided to tryout out for Vienna Elite U14 yesterday afternoon (last day of tryouts). She’s intermediate (one year of travel for a local league) so probably considered beginner in club. She’s also short (5’1”) but can play most positions (her current coaches keep her in the game the entire time for all their sets). Yesterday, at tryouts, they were told that a total of 75 girls tried out and they would be filling 24 spots for the two teams. I’ve been reading this thread and worried she may not have made it, or is no news good news? Does anyone know if Vienna Elite has made any offers for U14? Like I said, we’re new to this scene and completely understand that her chances of making the team is slim especially since she tried out on the last day and only tried out for one club.

Someone also mentioned VA Athletics Volleyball Club in this thread and it looks like they have one last tryout tonight for U14 but I haven’t heard much about this club so I’m not sure if it’s worth it to sign up. Any feedback would be much appreciated!

One option for you would be to try out for XP in Sterling. Their tryouts begin tonight. I don't think they participate in the same league as the other clubs, which is why their tryouts are this week, rather than starting last Friday.

https://www.xp-volleyball.com/programs/club-volleyball

Totally agree with this. XP's first tryout is tonight and they have multiple teams at every age level. It was our backup plan. We also saw a lot of girls this weekend at other club tryouts with XP backpacks. I think thats a good sign that you can get good enough experience and move up to other clubs in the future if thats what you want to do.

DD tried out for and played on XP last year after not getting an offer from other teams. Overall it worked out well - she grew a lot as a player and got an offer from her first choice club team this year. Would definitely recommend trying out if your daughter is still looking for a spot.

If anybody has any more information on how the XP tryout process fits in with everything else, I'd be interested. Specifically, other clubs require an answer by 10 PM Tuesday (today). However, XPs tryouts didn't start until yesterday (Monday), and the XP tryout results won't be sent out until earliest Wednesday. So how are athletes supposed to choose between XP and other clubs? Am I correct in thinking that XP athletes are ones that either a) didn't get an offer from any other clubs or b) they only want to tryout for XP anyway. If (b), then I guess those athletes are out of luck if XP doesn't offer them a spot, because all other club tryouts are mostly done by that point. Am I understanding this correctly?

Based on the XP tryout strategy, I believe they are trying to capture players who want to play, but they could not make a club team. Expect lower quality of play.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We’re new to the entire club volleyball scene and DD was very intimidated by it but decided to tryout out for Vienna Elite U14 yesterday afternoon (last day of tryouts). She’s intermediate (one year of travel for a local league) so probably considered beginner in club. She’s also short (5’1”) but can play most positions (her current coaches keep her in the game the entire time for all their sets). Yesterday, at tryouts, they were told that a total of 75 girls tried out and they would be filling 24 spots for the two teams. I’ve been reading this thread and worried she may not have made it, or is no news good news? Does anyone know if Vienna Elite has made any offers for U14? Like I said, we’re new to this scene and completely understand that her chances of making the team is slim especially since she tried out on the last day and only tried out for one club.

Someone also mentioned VA Athletics Volleyball Club in this thread and it looks like they have one last tryout tonight for U14 but I haven’t heard much about this club so I’m not sure if it’s worth it to sign up. Any feedback would be much appreciated!

One option for you would be to try out for XP in Sterling. Their tryouts begin tonight. I don't think they participate in the same league as the other clubs, which is why their tryouts are this week, rather than starting last Friday.

https://www.xp-volleyball.com/programs/club-volleyball

Totally agree with this. XP's first tryout is tonight and they have multiple teams at every age level. It was our backup plan. We also saw a lot of girls this weekend at other club tryouts with XP backpacks. I think thats a good sign that you can get good enough experience and move up to other clubs in the future if thats what you want to do.

DD tried out for and played on XP last year after not getting an offer from other teams. Overall it worked out well - she grew a lot as a player and got an offer from her first choice club team this year. Would definitely recommend trying out if your daughter is still looking for a spot.

If anybody has any more information on how the XP tryout process fits in with everything else, I'd be interested. Specifically, other clubs require an answer by 10 PM Tuesday (today). However, XPs tryouts didn't start until yesterday (Monday), and the XP tryout results won't be sent out until earliest Wednesday. So how are athletes supposed to choose between XP and other clubs? Am I correct in thinking that XP athletes are ones that either a) didn't get an offer from any other clubs or b) they only want to tryout for XP anyway. If (b), then I guess those athletes are out of luck if XP doesn't offer them a spot, because all other club tryouts are mostly done by that point. Am I understanding this correctly?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We're new to volleyball and had a question about committing to a club if you have a kid trying at two levels at different clubs. My dd can try out for U14 and U15 since U14 is her birth year and U15 is her grade (she has a late birthday). She tried out for a U14 team at club A this past weekend and received an offer. However, she also has tryouts for a U15 team at clubs B and C this upcoming weekend. If she accepts the U14 club A offer, could she back out of it if she receives an offer from the U15 team at club B or C? I don't know if it's ok to switch from one club to another once you've accepted an offer. Can that be done and if so what are the repercussions/penalties of doing that, if any?

I didn't think it through when we signed up for both U14 and U15 tryouts and don't want to burn any bridges. I want her to accept with the best club she can get in to, but also don't want to leave her without a team if she doesn't get any offers from the U15 clubs. Trying to figure out what our best option is here.

Appreciate any guidance from anyone who's done this.

That’s a tough one and you really should have thought about it ahead of time. It also depends on how good she is, if she got a spot on 14 as a beginner she must be decent, so you could take a chance on 15, but on the other hand 15 is also very competitive and chances are very slim as a newbie. I personally would take the 14, tryout for 15 just to see, so next year I can decide to jump up to 16.
Really hard to give advice without knowing her skill level though.

She's had a couple of years of rec volleyball and was on her HS freshman team. So she's pretty good but I don't know how that translates to club volleyball. And like you said, U15 is very competitive. Is switching clubs a possibility if she makes the U15 team or is that not allowed?

My daughter is also a HS freshman who qualifies for 14U, and we decided to go with 14U as we didn’t want to risk being shut out of a 15U team. Next year she will probably try out for both 15U and 16U, sine those tryouts will be the same weekend. But with 14U tryouts being the week before there was no way to do that this year.

+1. Same here. It’s unfortunate that 14 and 15 tryouts are a week apart but next year we will all be in a better position to make an actual choice instead of having to risk losing a spot.