Frequently Asked Questions

What is Travel/Club Volleyball?
Travel/Club volleyball begins at the completion of high school volleyball season in November and continues through USA/AAU Volleyball Girl's Junior National Championships in June each year. This gives girls the opportunity to play outside of their high/middle schools  and is a way to play volleyball year-round. Families pay to join a volleyball club. The club is responsible for team practices, coaches, uniforms, insurance, etc., for the team to play against other volleyball clubs in tournaments. USA Volleyball is the national governing body for volleyball and has 40 regions throughout the country. Thunder Cats Junior Volleyball Club is a part of the Carolina Regional Volleyball (CRV) organization. CRV sets policy, implements USAV education programs, provides insurance, and operates various tournaments/championships. Once a player joins TCVB they will also register to become a member of CRV and USA Volleyball.  For our National Teams we will be associated with AAU and playing in their tournaments/nationals.  Like USAV each girls must pay their memberships to these organizations.
What Age groups do you offer?
We focus on girls ages 11-18 or U12-U18 teams.  The final age groups, team levels, number of teams will depend on the number and skill level of players participating in tryouts. The number of girls that tryout could influence if some ages are combined into one team. Example there could possibly be a combined team made up of 12U and 13U players that would compete in a 13U division. Players are allowed to play in age groups above their age, but not below. Your age group can be determined by your age as of September 1.
How do you select your players?
Players attend an open tryout consisting of physical testing, skill testing, and game situations. Each tryout is different based on needs and number of athletes trying out. Coaches will evaluate during tryouts having a tryout matrix they follow.  Naturally, the better your skills are, the higher probability of your selection, although skill is not the only factor considered by a particular coach. Some coaches may factor in general athleticism and movement on the court. For others, attitude and team focus as well as a clear enthusiasm for volleyball are an important part of the equation. In all cases, the coaches will consider you not just on your own but as part of the team they are creating as they go through the selection process.
How MAny players are on each team?
We strive for a minimum of 9 and a maximum of 12 players on each team. The number of players are at the discretion of the Director and Head Coach for each team.
What are your membership fees?
Program participation fees are fair and equitable based on the cost of participating in other club volleyball teams throughout the region. Fees are non-negotiable and are kept low as possible. Depending upon level of play our fees range from $800 (at the Regional Level) to $2500 (at the National Level.) Thunder Cats Junior Volleyball Club currently does not own a facility and relies on the sponsorship of the community and parents. All fees are subject to change from year to year as costs needed to run the program change, however, we strive to get to a fee that is consistent based on the growing needs of the entire program. Fees can and will vary depending upon the team a player is apart of as well as the division the team plays in (such as USAV/AAU).  PLEASE NOTE THAT UNIFORM AND MERCHANDISE FEE IS SEPARATE!!!
​What do the club fees cover?
Local and Regional Level Teams- $800-$1500
  • 3-5 Regional Tournaments including championship 
  • 1-2 JVA/SAVL Regional Tournaments 
  • ​Facility Rental Fees
  • Coaches Stipends
  • Club Insurance
  • Club League Fees
  • Referee Training 
  • Additional Club Cost
USAV / AAU Semi-National/National Teams- $1800-$2500
  • Includes all of the above
  • National Qualifying Tournaments Entry Fees
  • Recruitment Education 
  • Training/Weights Fee
  • Hudl Account
What Do Club Fees not cover?
  • Uniform and Merchandise Fee ($150) REQUIRED
    • 2 Uniform Jerseys
    • Practice Shirts
    • Face Mask
    • TCVB Backpack
  • USAV/AAU player membership
  • Optional club merchandise
  • Player’s individual hotel/travel expenses
  • Coaches meals
  • Administration Fees
  • Website Development/Maintenance
  • Equipment Maintenance
  **The above is the responsibility of the parents.  Donations (sponsorships) are greatly appreciated to keep cost low.