Tryout Information for 2026/27

TRYOUTS Q & A

Q: What age will my athlete need to play in for the 2026-2027 season?

A: See link above titled USA Volleyball Age Chart PDF

Q: How do I know if my athlete is ready for club volleyball season?

A: Club Unite staff will be able to thoroughly evaluate the player and provide an informed assessment of her readiness to compete at the next level. They will assess her current fundamental abilities to determine which team she would most benefit from. Just as importantly, the staff will evaluate the player's mental fortitude, evaluating her composure under pressure, her willingness to learn and improve, and her ability to be a positive, collaborative teammate.

For beginners or younger athletes: Our comprehensive evaluation during the tryout process will give the player and her family a clear, honest assessment of her current capabilities and readiness to take that next step in her volleyball journey.

Q: Do I need to attend all Tryout Dates?

A: It is ideal to be evaluated at as many dates as possible; however, athletes will not be required to attend every session if other commitments prevent participation. 

14&Under Example: If your volleyball athlete has a middle school game on the same day as tryouts, we expect her to attend her middle school game and understand she can not attend tryouts. Please let us know in an email if that is the case at info@clubunitevolleyball.com (don't forget to include her name in the email). 

Q: My athlete is 14U but wants to try out for a 15U team. What should I do?

A: Whenever possible, we recommend that the athlete attend both the 14U and 15U evaluations. This gives our directors the best opportunity to evaluate the athlete and determine the most appropriate team placement.

However, if your athlete is certain they only want to be considered for a 15U team, they may attend only the 15U tryout. This is especially common for athletes who are true 14U players but are entering 9th grade and prefer to compete at the 15U level.

If a 14U athlete is specifically interested in playing 15U Local, they may also choose to forego the 14U tryout and attend only the 15U evaluation.

Please note: Attending a 15U tryout does not guarantee placement on a 15U team; final placement is based on evaluation, team needs, and available roster spots.

Q: Do all athletes make a team?

A: We recognize that each individual possesses a unique combination of skills, strengths, and areas for growth, and it is our mission to carefully evaluate and identify the team environment where each athlete will truly thrive both individually and as part of a cohesive unit. It's a labor-intensive but essential process, as the proper team placement can make all the difference in an athlete's development and the overall performance of the team. Our priority is to PLACE athletes where they best fit.

Q: What team would I fit? How do I know which level to tryout for?

A: Athletes may select Local, Premier, or National for a variety of reasons. 

• money expectations
• time expectations
• ability expectations
• travel availability 
• commitment 

Q: I am ready to tryout for a National Team, what should I consider?

A: Trying out for a national team is a significant commitment that requires a deep understanding and full buy-in from both the athlete and their parents/guardians. Parents must be prepared to provide unwavering logistical and emotional support, handling everything from driving their child to and from practices/tournaments to managing the financials of travel expenses. It's not uncommon for national team athletes to have to sacrifice other activities and obligations, from school to social life, to meet the extreme time and energy demands. Making this level of commitment is a big decision that shouldn't be taken lightly. Both the athlete and their family need to carefully weigh the pros and cons and make sure they're truly ready and able to dedicate themselves fully to the process before trying out for a spot on the national team.

Q: My athlete is 14U but wants to try out for a 15U team. What should I do?

A: Whenever possible, we recommend that the athlete attend both the 14U and 15U evaluations. This gives our directors the best opportunity to evaluate the athlete and determine the most appropriate team placement.

However, if your athlete is certain they only want to be considered for a 15U team, they may attend only the 15U tryout. This is especially common for athletes who are true 14U players but are entering 9th grade and prefer to compete at the 15U level.

If a 14U athlete is specifically interested in playing 15U Local, they may also choose to forego the 14U tryout and attend only the 15U evaluation.

Please note: Attending a 15U tryout does not guarantee placement on a 15U team; final placement is based on evaluation, team needs, and available roster spots.

Q: Do you have any programs for my 10 or 11-year-old?

A: We do offer programming/teams for 10 and 11-year-old athletes. During evaluations, we will assess the 10/11U athlete to ensure she is ready for a commitment to a full season and would be beneficial for her volleyball journey at her current age. Additionally, our Lakeway Area is offering a Diggin' Daisies program specifically designed for "new to the game" young athletes.

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