kent wrote:crocmommy wrote:I think my 9 year old is going to be quite tall and am thinking about trying to get her involved in VB. Does being tall help a lot in VB?
It depends. If she's wanting to play on an "elite" club, most definitely. However, if she is a great passer, she cna play libero.
My daughter is 5'2" and played club ball. Not with the top clubs, but did play against them. She played in HS and made the varsity team her JR year when she blocked their 6' outside hitter - she had a 30"+ vertical.
There are plenty of avenues for girls of all body types to play. Don't give up just because they aren't "tall".
Volleyball is a fantastic sport and quite beautiful to watch. Pinpoit passing, great sets, hitters working angles, the movement on the court.... it's great to watch.
One of the great things about vb is that just about any sized kiddo can contribute. My daughter is 6'1"; she's a middle blocker, which means she only plays on the front row (she is not quick enough to play on the back row). So a defensive specialist or libero comes in for her when she rotates to the back. That person can be tiny to tall, but is always quick. Some teams attack off the back row, too.
You should be able to find a low cost introductory club that will teach fundamentals and let the girls have some fun. It starts getting specialized and expensive when the girls hit the 12 year old age; we are talking about club costs, private lessons, and travel. But colleges are recruiting girls earlier and earlier (14, 15 & 16); and they recruit the top clubs first.
Our last two years of club ball cost $5,000.00 a season, plus travel. 17 yr. old season there were two plane trips (the National Championships were in Dallas, so we didn't have to fly there). Probably 10 hotel weekends; some two nights stays, some four night stays.
We were also making three weekly round trips to the Woodlands for practice from November through June.
It is a commitment. It is also worth the effort, if the kid enjoys it and is willing to do the work and make the social sacrifices (all her friends will be vb players; no boyfriend - no time). The rewards are many, including self-confidence, athleticism, and financial (full ride scholarships).