Woodbury Athletic Association

What is the difference between competitve volleyball, JOs (Junior Olympic), and Junior Volleyball?  Nothing.  Junior volleyball is the term used by USA Volleyball for competitive volleyball sanctioned through them for boys and girls under 18. USA Volleyball has discontinued the use of "Junior Olympics," and the proper reference is Junior Volleyball, or Juniors.

What is the difference between club programs and community programs?  Club programs such as Kokoro, Northern Lights, M1, and Minnesota Select offer a higher level of play and training than most community based teams, such as Woodbury Volleyball offer. Club teams often practice and train 3 nights per week and play at a minimum of every other weekend. These teams also play until the end of June or early July. Many teams travel regionally and nationally. This type of training and travel comes at a much greater cost then community programs. Players who are ready and commited to this type of schedule are encouraged to look at the larger club programs. Players who particpiate in other sports, or other activities, find Community teams provide great training on a shorter time frame that allows them to pursue other interests.

Does everyone that trys out for Woodbury Volleyball make a team?   Unfortunately, this is not true.  Our goal, as a program, is to keep as many kids interested and playing volleyball as possible, especially at the younger ages. As girls grow “into their bodies,” kids that struggled as 12s players may be excellent as 16s.   In past years, we have had the participant numbers and gym availability to form two teams per age group, so one team could be comprised of higher skilled kids and the other team would be the lesser skilled kids, as determined largely by the tryouts. 

Recently formed clubs have created more competition for athletes, coaches, and gym space, and as a result, our program has made a conscious decision to offer just one team per age-level.  If we have enough kids and can secure enough gym time, it’s possible we will offer two teams at select age levels, however, it is not guaranteed. More likely, we will ask more mature and capable players if they could “play up” an age group to make sure as many kids as possible can play.  No one will be forced to play up.