8

[DisneyFan32WI]

8

 

[Geoff_M]

For starters, it's safe to say that your daughter will make 0% of the teams she never tries out for.

As for the core of your question, I'm sure it varies from team to team, but I think I can generalize. Yes, politics will likely play a part in a few of the girls selected. The coach or asst. coaches' kids... check. If you have one, the Team manager's kid... check. Ditto for the kids of any parents that may serve on a "team board", etc. Returning players are also a "known" quantity with the coach and probably have a leg up over an "unknown" that walks into tryouts. But this may also work against a couple of the returning players too. Also, remember that being an age-bracketed team, a lot of last years girls will be too old to return. As for cliques, well yes parents can seem awfully "chummy" with a coach, but I've also seen a coach cut the kid of friend that used to be a "best bud" in prior season.

I'd say let your kid give it a go and make sure they're realistic about the process and their chances. Ask them about what their reaction will be if they get cut. We just went through a traumatic event with one of our sons that was a returning player cut from a team. It hurt like hell to see him hurt like that, but it's also a learning process that can offer the chance to "grow" from it. After licking his wounds for 24 hours, he's sorting out a "Plan B" now and is plotting to return with a vengeance next season to his old team. We also have another son that's "made it" two times now and know the joys that this can bring to a child.

 

[mjkacmom]

I think by the time they're 13, they're way old enough to deal with the disappointment of not being picked. Dd13 is very involved in theater and choirs - sometimes she makes it, sometimes she doesn't. If I don't think she'll get a part (she's a double threat, not a triple, but she has been taking jazz to help out), I'll tell her it's good experience, and to have fun.

As for the club, my DH coaches travel soccer. At tryouts, a bunch of coaches from all of the teams grade the players, and they're ranked, to make it as fair as possible. Are they all objective - no. Previous players to have advantages, and might be scored higher, based on the fact that they're team players, show up for games and practices, and most important of all, have parents that are known NOT to be crazy!

Edited to add, ds11 has friends who are twins, and it was tough the year one made little league, and the other didn't, and this year, when one was cut from travel basketballs. You say daughters, so I assume they are twins? Just because one twin makes it doesn't mean the other will.

 

[clovergirl5]

Best of luck to them

Is it a traveling vb team? My 2 oldest dd's are on travel softball teams, 10u and 14u.
In our situation, the 14u team is all the returning players from last year and 2 new ones. Because they started at 12u and had the choice of continuing with the team or not.

With dd9, this team was just formed, so all new players.

I would imagine that if the team has been together or already established at least a season, the coaches would want to keep them together as long as they are within the age limits and just fill in spots vacated by the girls who left the team. If that is the scenerio, at tryouts, they will pick the best players.

This is how sb tends to be, Im not sure how other travel sports do it, I would imagine it would be similar. Dd's have only been on school vb teams not traveling.

Hope that helps, maybe you could call the coaches to ask some ?'s or check out their website if its an open tryout. Info might be more specific there.
Good luck!

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

I have 2 daughters. One will be trying out for U14, and the other will be trying out for U13.

They start club at the U13 level here for volleyball.

 

[KAMLEM]

From my experience, club teams and town travel teams are very different. It also depends on what division the club team is. The division 1 club soccer teams around here are VERY competitive and it's not so much political. If the kid doesn't have the skill they're not on the team. I saw one club replace a coach because they didn't want the coach's kid on the team anymore and naturally the coach wouldn't cut his own kid. The kid just wasn't at the level of the other players. I have seen more politics and favoritism in the town travel teams.

 

[padams]

Talk to the coaches and other parents. You can get a feel for how many openings there really are on the teams. Usually existing players get invited back unless their skill or commitment levels have fallen off. Good luck!

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

I'm a newbie when it comes to sports, but I believe the extent of travel is within one hour of our home. They would play each weekend, and have a total of 12 tournaments.

I guess I will just keep my fingers crossed! I think it would be a great opportunity for them to participate. One daughter is very timid and shy. I would like her to get on the team so she could socialize with other girls. I'd like to see my other daughter get on the team so she could get some regular exercise.

Both a bit strange reasons for me wanting them to do this club, right?

Their skill level is about a 6/7 on a scale of 1-10. My shy daughter is not aggressive enough, and often doesn't go after the ball like I think she should. My other daughter has the assertiveness, but her skills are just not quite there yet (can't over-hand serve).
I just want them to get a fair shot at being on the team.

 

[golfgal]

In our old town where JO Volleyball was HUGE, most of the kids played up a level so the 14 year olds were playing U16, etc. Politics played some role in who was chosen and who was not but talent usually won out. If a new 13 or 14 year old were to try out they would have a good chance to make the team but they would be playing with 11 and 12 year olds most likely.

The high school team is making it's 9th consecutive trip to the state tournament next weekend and they tend to win state about 1/2 the time they are there so it is a pretty successful program. It spins out about 2-3 division I players each year.

 

[JoanGirardi]

My only experience is with club soccer, but I'd say absolutely have them try out, because you never know. My younger son didn't go out for club soccer at the U10 tryouts, but decided the next year that he wanted to give it a shot. We were concerned that the teams were pretty much already set and were afraid he'd be disappointed as his skills were on the average side, but we went for the tryout. He made the team, as much for his attitude and hustle as anything, and he's been on that team for 7 years now. If they don't make it, then it's a disappointment that they'll live through, but if they do, it can be a great experience for many seasons to come. Good luck!

 

[KAMLEM]

I'm a newbie when it comes to sports, but I believe the extent of travel is within one hour of our home. They would play each weekend, and have a total of 12 tournaments.

I don't know anything about club volleyball, but with soccer there is A LOT of travel involved. It's not as simple as playing 10 games during the season, it also involves playoffs. We live in MA and we have been to CA, FL, VA, NH, ME, RI, NJ, NY and probably other states that I can't think of quickly. It gets very expensive.

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

I don't know anything about club volleyball, but with soccer there is A LOT of travel involved. It's not as simple as playing 10 games during the season, it also involves playoffs. We live in MA and we have been to CA, FL, VA, NH, ME, RI, NJ, NY and probably other states that I can't think of quickly. It gets very expensive.

Oh my-that IS travel sports! I can say with 100% certainty that this is not what my daughters are going for.

The cost is $700 each child, and sometimes that dollar amount seems unreal for such a short program (Dec-March). I'm willing to pay it to give them the experience though!

 

[clovergirl5]

The cost is $700 each child, and sometimes that dollar amount seems unreal for such a short program (Dec-March). I'm willing to pay it to give them the experience though!

Our travel softball costs $650/girl. It includes 2 uniforms, practice shorts, tshirt, sweatshirt and sweatpants, ball bag, helmet and tournament costs. We travel kinda far. Across the state and into surrounding states. Our season is from fall to mid summer though.

Travel sports are not cheap, thats for sure! But they get so much practice and experience. They practice every weekend for 2-3hrs.

 

[momx2]

OP, you said that your daughters have a 6-7 ability out of 10. I hate to say it, but there is a good chance they will not make the team, doesn't mean they shouldn't try though. In my experience with select soccer the best players make the team. So if everyone else is above a 7 then they wouldn't make that team.

Why don't they do rec. volleyball? My oldest DD is a soccer junkie and one of the best on her team. She plays select soccer. My youngest DD wanted to give it a try, but she is only about a 6 out of 10 also. She was put on the U9 team because all U9s make the team, but her ability difference is apparant. She will go back to rec soccer in the spring. If she improves and wants to we will go back to select.

If you are only wanting this for your girls for social interaction, I personally feel that recreational leagues are the way to go. In club leagues it is much more competitive and they may feel out of place.

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

They just ended their school volleyball program for the year. The season ran Aug-Nov. They had a great time!

I know a 6/7 isn't AWESOME, but I can't imagine everyone being a perfect 10 either at their age.

 

[mjkacmom]

They just ended their school volleyball program for the year. The season ran Aug-Nov. They had a great time!

I know a 6/7 isn't AWESOME, but I can't imagine everyone being a perfect 10 either at their age.

I don't know much about volleyball, but ds11 played last year on our town's pathetic U13 co-ed team (a mom set it up), and every kid served overhand. Again, that was my only experience with volleyball, but I've seen travel baseball, basketball, and soccer tryouts, and some kids are really outstanding, even at the age of 11. I would definitely encourage your dds' to try out though, and even if they don't make it, they might learn what skills they need to work on.

 

[minniebeth]

My DD12 is playing club volleyball for the second year now. She just had try outs and made the team she was on last year, just bumped up an age group. She will be playing at the U13 level. We were the rookies last year.
It is overwhelming at first and still is somewhat as it seems to change some each year. I would say to first, talk to as many parents and players as you can to figure out the culture of the club. There are many clubs here in Central Ohio, so we tried out for the ones that fit our goals. We wanted something that would strengthen DD's skills, be somewhat competititve and yet still provide playing time and fun for her. Some of the clubs were extrememly competitive and we chose for her not to try out for those just yet. We want to get our feet wet with the experience. If you know the culture of the club your DDs are trying out for and are comfortable with it, I'd say go for it all the way! Yes, it can be intimidating, but it is a positive experience in the long run.
As others have said, the club probably does give consideration to returning girls, but remember, not all girls will return. I know our club added another team since there were so many girls trying out. They are business, and more teams mean more money. Not all girls who try out for club volleyball are stellar athletes. There are a lot of average girls who play and they try to group team ability together. They are the teams, truthfully that have a lot of fun and it is amazing to see how their skills develop over the season.
Yes, it might seem cliquey at first but once your DDs are on a team, our experience is that most parents and families come together. You might have some that stay cliquey but it is no different than any other sports team.

$700 seems like a very fair price for the season. I'm thinking at that price, most of the games will be regionalized, not long distance travel. Some of the clubs here cost up to $1500 with extensive travel. That's not for us...
Does that include the uniforms/gear?

Please do not think you are setting your DDs up for disappointment. The try outs themselves are a learning experience. Some tips that they always give the girls are:
Wear the proper gear, look presentable with hair back in a ribbon
Call the ball LOUDLY
Be LOUD when communicating with teammates
If an evaluator gives up a suggestion, respond loudly and politely, eg: Yes sir!
Have a postive attitude
Smile and have fun
Cheer teammates on
Don't talk socially during skills and sessions

Evaluators are looking for not only skill, but potential and coachability.

Good luck to your DDs! Club was a lot of fun (loooooong days!) and a great experience! Let us know the outcome!

 

[jme829]

My dd16 has played JO for 5 years...she has tryouts as well this weekend.

It really depends on how "elite" the club is. When we lived in Ohio, she played on a YMCA team that pretty much took anyone. Then she moved up to a more elite club. she played there for a year, but then was cut at the 14 level....however, she made the 14-1 national team at another elite club....From there we moved to Wi, she tryed out for the local club and has played "up" both years playing on the 16's team at age 14 and the 17's team at age 15. she did try out for one of the top clubs in the country, but didn't make it. This year she has to play her age group because her HS coach does the 18's and so she can't play for him in the offseason, its against WIAA rules.
My daughter is good, made JV as a freshman and varsity as a sophmore and junior (we have a pretty large school), which was no easy feat.

Feel free to pm her with any questions...she is volleyballqt07 on the teen board.


ETA: the fees we have paid ranged from 900-2000 depending on the club..however, her current club is only 350...its a local club just starting out (only 4 or 5 years) so its mostly volunteer coaches..she mostly plays now to keep her hands on the ball in the offseason)

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

Well, we just came back from try-outs. One daughter made the team, and the other didn't. The second try-out is next weekend. They offered 6 of the spots to girls today, which means they will give out 6 more next week.

The "shy" one didn't make it. She is the one I REALLY needed to get on a sports team so she can open up. I am so sad right now.

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

We had ANOTHER try-out for a different club on Sunday. My DD didn't get an offer for that one either. Last night, her friend called to see if my dd made it because SHE did.

Ughh......can I be anymore heartbroken??? Has anyone ever dealt with their child being rejected so much??

The second try-out for both the teams is again this coming weekend. I don't even want to send her again!