FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS FOR BOTH PLAYERS AND PARENTS
What does OVR, USAV, JVA, AAU mean?
- USAV (USA Volleyball) is the primary governing body of volleyball in the country. Many tournaments attended by Surge teams are sanctioned by USAV.
- The OVR (Ohio Valley Region) is the specific region within USAV that CYVBC Surge is a part of based on our location. All players must register with USAV/OVR while completing their required online modules in order to participate in the travel season.
- All OVR coaches (age 18 and older) are required to undergo a background check through USA Volleyball as well as complete training through SafeSport .
- JVA (Junior Volleyball Association) provides their own sanctioned tournaments, coaching requirements, and coverage which some of our teams also participate in. We are a member club of JVA!
- AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) provides their own sanctioned tournaments, coaching requirements, and coverage which some of our teams also participate in. AAU is a multi-sport organization. We are a member club of AAU!
What are the different divisons for USA Volleyball, and what do they mean?
(ranking from top to lowest division):
What happens if a team rejects their bid to nationals?
(ranking from top to lowest division):
- Open
- The open division in club volleyball is the top level of play, with the competition being more rigorous. There are 36 teams that will compete.
- To qualify for open at nationals, a team must earn a bid by participating in a national qualifier open division event – in which the team outright wins the national qualifier or earns an At-Large Bid after competing at a national qualifier event.
- Each qualifier has an allotted number of bids they can hand out – based on the number of teams that participate.
- National
- The national division is to showcase regionally strong teams, with the purpose of allowing more teams the opportunity to participate at Junior Nationals. In this division, 48 teams will compete.
- To qualify for national at nationals, a team must earn their bid at the teams regional qualifier or earn their bid through the Re-allocation process – which means that some regions may not use all of their bids so they are reassigned to another region.
- USA
- The USA division is, like the national division, showing off their regionally strong teams, however, their qualification process is much different.
- The 48 teams that will compete at the USA division of Junior Nationals, the teams must either qualify from a bid earned at a national qualifier or earn their bid from their region through the Re-Allocation process.
- All of the USA Division national qualifiers allotted three bids.
- Liberty
- A Qualifier-only division that will fall between USA & American for ages 13-18s and will give 2 bids if the required numbers are met.
- American
- The American Division is the last division that you can qualify for at a national qualifier. All American Division national qualifiers have one bid open at each qualifier.
- With 64 teams competing the American Division is the largest at Junior Nationals. To qualify, your team must earn a bid at a national qualifier, at a regional tournament or through the re-allocation process.
- Freedom
- Below the American division for ages 14-18s.
- This allows all regions to receive at least 1 more bid with a potential of 2 with reallocation.
- Below the American division for ages 14-18s.
- Patriot
- At the Patriot Division, there is a soft-cap of teams at 48, based off multiples of four teams entering and available court space.
- The tournament serves as an end of the season tournament for the teams that enter – you do not have to qualify to enter this division.
What happens if a team rejects their bid to nationals?
- A trickle down process begins, which means that with qualifiers that offer two bids the lowest a team can be presented with a bid is fourth, while a qualifier with three bids offered can trickle down to the sixth place finisher to award a bid.
- In the American Division, the farthest down a team can be awarded a bid through the trickle down process is fourth place. If an American bid is won at a region tournament then the team turns around to win a national qualifier – the national qualifier bid will supersede the regional bid, returning the bid to the region for re-allocation.
What age group am I in?
Age groups by grade (dates are for the 2023-2024 club season):
Your age group is determined by how old you are on the July 1st that follows the club season. If you are young for your grade, you'll play with players in your grade. If you're a little old, you may be required to play with some girls a bit older.
Age groups by grade (dates are for the 2023-2024 club season):
- 11th grade: 17 and Under Division: Players who were born on or after July 1, 2006
- Girls 17 and Under Division: Players who were born on or after July 1, 2005 (18 years or younger) who shall neither have completed nor are in a grade higher than the eleventh grade (11th) during the current academic year will be allowed to participate in the 17 an under age division. This age waiver is still subject to frozen roster rules. (This age waiver is based on recruiting concerns for girls in the 11th grade who would otherwise be required to participate in girls 18’s qualifiers and the Girls 18’s GJNC.
- 10th grade: 16 and Under Division: Players who were born on or after July 1, 2007
- 9th grade: 15 and Under Division: Players who were born on or after July 1, 2008
- 8th grade: 14 and Under Division: Players who were born on or after July 1, 2009
- 7th grade: 13 and Under Division: Players who were born on or after July 1, 2010
- 6th grade: 12 and Under Division: Players who were born on or after July 1, 2011
- 5th grade: 11 and Under Division: Players who were born on or after July 1, 2012
Your age group is determined by how old you are on the July 1st that follows the club season. If you are young for your grade, you'll play with players in your grade. If you're a little old, you may be required to play with some girls a bit older.
How many players do you accept to each team?
- The number of players on a team can vary between 9-11 players.
- Total cost is calculated for each team depending on numerous factors such as tournament schedule/entry cost, length of season, player jersey package, number of coaches, travel expenses for coaches, etc. Once the total team cost is determined, it is divided by the number of players on the team.
- Deposits and payments are non-refundable, as accepting a position on a team is a commitment to share in the total cost of that team for the full season.
- Final costs are calculated as soon as all rosters are complete and the tournament schedule has been determined.
What's the travel commitment?
- Regional teams will travel a maximum of 3 hours but will remain local throughout their season.
- National and American teams will also participate in additional tournaments outside of the region (see specific team schedules for more details).
- National teams will travel to Nationals (whether AAU’s in Orlando or TBA location for USAV)
What do we need to know about tournament days?
- Each tournament has something called an "entry time" which generally will be at 7:00am, or one hour prior to the start of the tournament
- Players should all arrive within 10 minutes of the entry time, unless they ref first.
- Coaches will designate arrival times for each tournament
- Parents should bring a portable chair (unless told otherwise that there will be seating)
- Players should bring plenty of water to drink and food to eat.
- Some tournaments will request that coolers and food stay outside. Please ensure to know the rules before entering a tournament facility!
- You will play ~6 sets/3 matches in pool play, then bracket play will depend on how you finish. If you continue winning in bracket play, you will continue playing.
- Double check each tournament bracket to see if you have a losers match, and/or if you have to ref, if you were to lose in bracket play!
- Often the team can have a work assignment following their last match of the day. It is the responsibility of the player to stay until the completion of their team's work assignment.
- It is expected that unless it is a last-minute illness, coaches should be notified at least 1 month in advance if a player is missing a tournament.
What if I want to skip a tournament?
- It's important that you attend all tournaments and not leave your team short-handed.
- Not showing up on tournament day without notifying your coach in advance could result in dismissal from the program (with no refund).
What's the time commitment?
- We have a few days off for holidays, but aside from that players are expected to attend practice(s), or a tournament every week.
- Practices are 1.5-2 hours long. Teams will practice 2-3 days per week.
- The tournaments are usually 1/2 day long
What expenses are there other than club fees?
- Travel and hotel expenses related to tournaments are not included.
- Spirit wear and pictures are not included.
- JERSEYS ARE INCLUDED IN CLUB FEES
- Spandex nor team backpacks are included in club fees. (Team backpacks are optional!)
- If the team requests to participate in an additional tournament, the Tournament Entry Fee must be divided amongst the team.
- USAV/OVR Membership fees are not included ($67, required for all USAV/OVR members)
Can I play on a National or American team and play other high school sports?
Maybe, but it's very challenging. The multi-day tournaments usually start after the winter season ends, but some basketball or softball players will run into conflicts. If you are unable to attend practices on a regular basis, you should play at the American or Regional level instead.
You should make your coaches aware if you are a multi-sport athlete! Missing practices and/or tournaments does not always allow room for team cohesion, so coaches need to be properly communicated with!
Maybe, but it's very challenging. The multi-day tournaments usually start after the winter season ends, but some basketball or softball players will run into conflicts. If you are unable to attend practices on a regular basis, you should play at the American or Regional level instead.
You should make your coaches aware if you are a multi-sport athlete! Missing practices and/or tournaments does not always allow room for team cohesion, so coaches need to be properly communicated with!
Where are practices held?
Our two facilities are at Clippard YMCA and Gamble-Nippert YMCA
Clippard YMCA: 8920 Cheviot Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45251
Our two facilities are at Clippard YMCA and Gamble-Nippert YMCA
Clippard YMCA: 8920 Cheviot Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45251
- Drop off and pick up at front doors during operating hours, drop off and pick up at side glass doors during non-operating hours
- Sunday Hours: 11:00am-6:00pm
- Monday-Friday Hours: 6:00am-9:00pm
- Overflow parking available on street, both drop off and pick up at front doors
What if it snows?
Check the website, Facebook, and an email from coaches for a notice before leaving for the gym. If there’s nothing posted there, we’re on. Unfortunately there's usually no room in the schedule for makeup days.
Check the website, Facebook, and an email from coaches for a notice before leaving for the gym. If there’s nothing posted there, we’re on. Unfortunately there's usually no room in the schedule for makeup days.
What if I can't make a practice?
Send your coach an email as soon as you know so that they can plan practice accordingly. Please don't just not show up!
Send your coach an email as soon as you know so that they can plan practice accordingly. Please don't just not show up!
Can I play up?
It will depend on the scenario. We generally will only consider that scenario when players are projected to be a starter/regular player on the older team. (There are some players that have to play a grade level up because of their birthdays)
It will depend on the scenario. We generally will only consider that scenario when players are projected to be a starter/regular player on the older team. (There are some players that have to play a grade level up because of their birthdays)