Parents/Families

Welcome to the world of club volleyball! If your athlete has outgrown recreational leagues or is looking to elevate their game beyond the high school season, you’ve come to the right place. Club volleyball (often called "Junior Olympic" or "JO" volleyball) is where players come to truly master the sport.

Below is a guide to help your family navigate the transition from recreational play to the competitive club circuit.

HOW DO I GET STARTED?

IDENTIFY YOUR ATHLETE'S AGE GROUP

DISCOVER VOLLEYBALL CLUBS IN ALASKA

TIPS FOR CHOOSING A CLUB

Selecting a club is a family decision and takes some research. Although clubs must abide by general Alaska Region and USA Volleyball rules, each club is different in the way they run their organization and train their athletes. This is a big decision, commitment, and contract to an entire season! We highly recommend athletes and parents do their club research well in advance to tryouts. Check out club websites, talk to classmates and friends, call the club directors and coaches, etc. Club volleyball requires an investment of both time and money. It’s a good idea to find out as much as you can about your different options before making any decisions. Remember to avoid assumptions as you start this process. Don’t assume a big club is better than a small club. Don’t assume the right fit for your friend is the right fit for you. Talk to several different clubs as you start to gather information.

Tips for selecting a Club:

· What is the club philosophy? To win? To improve? To have fun?

· How many teams do you have at each age level?

· Who are the coaches at my age level?

· What is their background in coaching?

· How is playing time allocated?

· What are your club dues? Is there a payment schedule?

· What is covered/not covered in that fee?

· Are there any other financial obligations? Travel? Fundraising? Uniforms?

· Where, when and how often do you practice?

· Are practices mandatory? What if my child misses a practice? Misses a tournament?

· Are players allowed to play other sports during the club volleyball season?

· How long is your season?

· How far and how often will the team be traveling?

· What does my child want to get out of the club experience?

· Can we afford the program we choose? Spending time researching your options will help you have the best season possible.

Upon official commitment to a club that is registered with the Alaska Volleyball Region / USA Volleyball, the athlete must remain with that club / team for the remainder of the Junior Volleyball season.

Clubs in Alaska

ACE VOLLEYBALL ACADEMY
ALL SET VBC
ELEVATE ALASKA
FRONTIER VOLLEYBALL ACADEMY
HOMER IGNITE
INSPIRE VOLLEYBALL CLUB
IMPACT VOLLEYBALL CLUB
KODIAK ISLAND VBC
LEGACY BOYS VOLLEYBALL
MIDNIGHT SUN VOLLEYBALL CLUB
PENINSULA WILD

More information can be found on our Clubs in Alaska page.

PURCHASE A MEMBERSHIP

Players and coaches must be registered with USAV to participate in tryouts. You can assign your membership to a club after tryouts.

Purchase a membership through SportsEngine. This link will allow you to obtain a membership for Alaska Volleyball AND USAV.

If you encounter issues, please go to SportEngine's Support page.

Refund Policy

When purchasing an individual membership, there are two components – the portion of membership dues that go to ALASKA VOLLEYBALL, and the portion that goes to USA Volleyball. When a membership is purchased, this refund policy is acknowledged and agreed to by the member and/or their parent/guardian. This policy only applies to the membership purchased with ALASKA VOLLEYBALL/USAV and does not apply to any financial obligations between a family and their club.

The portion of a membership cost that comes to ALASKA VOLLEYBALL is non-refundable. If you purchased a membership in error or feel you were overcharged, please immediately email hello@alaskavolleyball.org

A player who purchases a membership, but does not make a team during tryouts, is not eligible to have their membership refunded. ALASKA VOLLEYBALL strongly recommends the purchase of a tryout membership until the athlete is assured of a place on a team (at which point they must upgrade to a full-season membership).

Regardless of the situation surrounding a refund, credit card processing fees are always non-refundable.

The portion of a membership that goes to USAV is governed by USAV’s refund policy, outlined below:

· Full memberships may be eligible to receive a refund of national registration fees. Cancellation requests must be received within 45 days of purchase.

· Limited memberships are not eligible to receive a refund of national registration fees, insurance or processing fees.

USA Volleyball will only consider its refund if the region provided the individual a full refund on region membership fees.

The following guidelines will be used in the calculation of a refund amount:

· If the member participated in a USAV sanctioned program or event, then national registration fees are refunded, less insurance and credit card processing fees.

· If the member did NOT participate in any USAV sanctioned program or event, then member is entitled to a full refund of all fees.

No refunds will be issued when an entire USA Volleyball membership season and/or any portion thereof is canceled or interrupted for any reason.

Other ALASKA VOLLEYBALL and/or USA Volleyball sanctioned programs and events may utilize different cancellation policies. Please read individual event information thoroughly.

ALASKA VOLLEYBALL and USA Volleyball reserve the right to make exceptions to this policy at their sole discretion

REGISTER FOR TRYOUTS

Tryouts for the 2026-27 club season begin in early July. This early tryout period is allowed because travel teams need to commit to tournaments before the regular tryout periods in the fall. Check the clubs' website/socials for more information on their respective tryout schedules and to register to tryout for one of their teams.

Note: All players who wish to tryout must have a current USAV membership before the tryout.

COMMIT TO A TEAM

If selected, your child may be required to sign a Letter of Commitment and/or a club contract. Once signed, this agreement represents a season-long commitment. Players may not transfer to another club during the season unless they are officially released from their obligations by their current club.

Please note that formal signing dates are established, and commitments made before these dates are not considered binding. While clubs may request a verbal commitment prior to the official signing date to assist coaches and directors in roster planning, players and parents are not obligated to honor any commitment made before the designated signing date.

COMPLETE ALL FORMS

REQUIRED for Athletes:

What is Club Volleyball?

Unlike recreational leagues (which focus on basic participation) or high school teams (which are restricted to students of a specific school), Club Volleyball consists of independent organizations that provide professional coaching, structured practices, and high-level tournament play. It is designed for athletes who want to improve their skills, compete at a higher level, and—for some—pursue collegiate opportunities.

Who is usa volleyball (USAV)?

USA Volleyball is the National Governing Body for the sport in the United States. They are the same organization that oversees the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic teams. When you play for a USAV-sanctioned club, you are part of a national pipeline that ensures high standards for safety (including Safesport and background checks), officiating, and competitive integrity.

What is a "region"?

USA Volleyball is divided into 39 geographic regions across the country. Our region, the Alaksa Region, acts as the local administrative arm of USAV. We handle local memberships, sanction tournaments in our area, train officials, and ensure that every club in our borders follows the national rules and safety protocols.

Who Can play?

Club volleyball is for boys and girls ages 8 to 18.

Age Divisions: Teams are divided by birth year (e.g., "14-and-Under," "16-and-Under").
Skill Levels: Most clubs offer different "levels" of teams—ranging from "Regional" teams (less travel, developmental focus) to "National" teams (highly competitive, national travel).

How long is the season?

It is a marathon, not a sprint!

Tryouts: Usually occur in July (early tryout period - primarily for travel teams), October for middle school players and November for high school players
Regular Season: Practices and local tournaments typically run from January through April.
Post-Season: Teams competing at the National level often extend their season through June or early July for the National Championships.

Where do they play?

Friendship Tournaments: One-day events held at local gyms or sports complexes.
Regional Tournaments: Larger events where clubs from across our region gather to compete for rankings.
National Qualifiers: Massive multi-day tournaments held in major cities across the U.S. where teams "bid" for a spot at the National Championships.
National Championships: The "grand finale" of the season, bringing together the best teams in the country.

Am I Good Enough?

Absolutely. Club volleyball is designed for all skill levels, from beginners to elite prospects.

Placement by Ability: Clubs usually form multiple teams per age group based on current skill. This ensures every athlete is placed on a roster where they can contribute, feel confident, and grow.
Balanced Competition: Tournaments are organized into divisions (such as National, American, or Regional). You will compete against teams with a similar experience level, ensuring matches are both challenging and developmental.

Note: Clubs limit the number of teams they have based on coach and gym availability.

College recruiting & club volleyball

Playing club volleyball is widely considered the primary pathway for athletes who want to compete at the collegiate level. While high school volleyball is important for community and local recognition, the club circuit is where the majority of college recruiting takes place.

Here are the key benefits of playing club volleyball for recruitment:

1. Exposure to College Coaches

The most significant advantage is the "National Qualifier" tournament structure. During the club season, thousands of college coaches from across the country (NCAA Division I, II, III, NAIA, and NJCAA) attend massive multi-day events to scout talent.

Centralized Scouting: In a single weekend at a convention center, a coach can watch hundreds of prospective athletes in one location.
The Recruiting "Grid": Events are often organized so that coaches can easily find specific age groups and skill divisions, making it much more efficient than traveling to individual high schools.

2. High-Level Competition

College coaches want to see how an athlete performs against elite competition. In high school, the talent level can vary wildly depending on the school district. In club volleyball:

Strength of Schedule: Playing on a "National" or "Open" level team proves you can compete against the top 1% of players in your age group.
Measurable Stats: Club tournaments often use advanced tracking and filming services, providing coaches with reliable data and high-quality video of you playing against other college-bound athletes.

3. The Recruiting Calendar

The college recruiting cycle aligns more closely with the club season than the high school season.

Winter/Spring Focus: Most college coaches are busy with their own competitive seasons during the fall (when high school volleyball occurs). They do the bulk of their active recruiting and scouting during the winter and spring club months.

4. Skill Development and Coaching

Club programs often employ coaches with collegiate or professional experience.

Specialized Training: Clubs frequently offer position-specific training (e.g., clinics specifically for setters or liberos) that provides the technical refinement college coaches look for.
Professional Guidance: Many club directors have established relationships with college programs and can act as an intermediary, helping to "place" athletes in programs that fit their skill level and academic needs.

5. Verified Video and Profiles

Most clubs use platforms like SportsRecruits, NCSA, or Hudl. Because these platforms are often integrated into the club experience:

Your profile is verified by your club director.
Coaches can easily access full match film, which is essential for the initial "evaluation" phase before they see you in person.

Additional information can be found in the Resources section.

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse