Club volleyball season pulls a lot of first-time parents in fast — a flyer, a friend’s recommendation, a tryout date circled on the calendar. Before you write a check, it helps to know what you’re actually signing up for. Here are the 10 things worth knowing first.
Club volleyball is a bigger commitment than school ball. Most clubs run December through mid-March, with two practices a week plus league play dates. It’s a real season — treat it like one when you’re planning family time.
The price on the website usually isn’t the whole price. Ask for the all-in number: coaching fee, uniforms, tournament fees, travel. A club that answers plainly, in writing, before you commit is telling you something good about how they’ll treat you all season.
Roster size determines how much your daughter actually plays. A 16-player roster and a 9-player roster are not the same experience. Smaller rosters generally mean more court time and more individual coaching attention — ask directly how many girls will be on the team.
Not every club teaches every position. Some clubs specialize players early. Others cross-train, so every girl learns to hit, set, pass, and serve. Cross-training builds better all-around athletes and gives her more ways to contribute to a team long after this season.
Coaches should know your daughter’s name by week two. A caring coach who knows each girl — not a stranger rotating through — is the difference between a season she remembers well and one she just gets through.
Ask what a normal week looks like. Get specific: which two nights, what time, how long. Vague answers now mean surprises in December.
Payment plans exist — ask before you assume you can’t afford it. Many families rule out club volleyball because of the sticker price without asking about payment plans. Most clubs, including ours, offer them.
Retention rate tells you more than a trophy case does. Ask how many girls who started the season finished it. A club with strong year-over-year retention is doing something right in how it treats its players.
Multi-sport athletes should be welcome, not penalized. If your daughter plays another sport, ask how the club handles schedule conflicts. The right club works with you, not against you.
The best fit isn’t always the biggest name. A smaller, regional club isn’t a consolation prize — for a lot of girls, it’s the better fit: more attention, less pressure, and a season that leaves her wanting to come back next year.
Why we built TIV around these answers
At Team Illinois Volleyball, we’re a small, family-focused club for girls 15U–18U in Wood Dale. Every girl cross-trains in every position, coaches know every name, and last season 20 of our 21 girls finished what they started. Cost is $1,450 plus a $240 uniform package, payment plans available, no hidden fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I ask before joining a volleyball club? Ask about total cost (including uniforms and tournament fees), roster size, whether the club cross-trains players, payment plan availability, and the club’s retention rate — how many girls finish the season they start.
How big is a typical club volleyball roster? It varies by club. Smaller rosters generally mean more playing time and more individual coaching attention per athlete.
Does Team Illinois Volleyball cross-train players? Yes. Every girl at TIV learns all positions rather than being locked into one role early, which builds stronger all-around athletes.
Is club volleyball a big time commitment? Yes — most club seasons run December through mid-March with two weekly practices plus league play dates. At TIV, practices are Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:30–8:30pm.
Tryouts for our 2026/27 season open this fall. Get on the list and you’ll be the first to know the date — before it’s announced anywhere else. Get Tryout Updates →
Want to walk into every club open house with the right questions? Download the free Club Volleyball Parent’s Checklist →
Team Illinois Volleyball · Where every girl matters — small club, big heart. · Wood Dale, IL · teamillinoisvbc.com
