LEARN ABOUT CLUB VOLLEYBALL
New to Club Volleyball?
Welcome to the volleyball community! While all sports offer benefits for your student athlete, volleyball builds critical skills in communication, teamwork, and focus — and it's a sport your child can play for life.
At NYC VolleyVerse, we offer something for every level. Whether they're just getting started or ready to compete, we have classes, camps, private lessons, and full club teams to get them on the court.
If your athlete is considering competitive club volleyball for the first time, you probably have questions — about how it works, what the commitment looks like, and whether it's the right fit. Explore some frequently asked questions below. If you still have questions, you can always get in touch.
Club Volleyball FAQs
What is Club Volleyball?
Club Volleyball is organized, competitive volleyball played outside of school.
Club volleyball is an opportunity for your athlete to develop outside of school teams. Players practice with a dedicated team, compete in tournaments, and develop as athletes in a more structured environment than recreational leagues. The focus is on skill development, teamwork, and competing at a higher level.
Which team is right for me?
Your team eligibility is based on age.
For the 2026-2027 Season, we plan to offer Girls Teams from 10U-18U and Boys Teams from 12U-17U.
Your team eligibility is based on age ranges defined by USA Volleyball. For example, 16U means all athletes are 16 years-old or younger as of July 1, 2026. On rare occasions, an athlete may be asked to "play up" on an older team (e.g. a 15-year old playing on the 16U team.) This is a case-by-case basis, and cannot be requested.
To understand your age bracket, consult the chart below.
How big are club teams?
Our VolleyVerse team rosters are ~12 players.
Different clubs hold a variety of roster sizes—some clubs including up to 18 or more athletes. At NYC VolleyVerse, we target a roster size of 12 athletes. This ensures all our players get ample development opportunities at practice and chances to play at tournaments.
How long is the season?
Boys season goes from October to March. Girls season goes from November to May.
The Boys season will begin in October and end in March.
The Girls season begins in November and ends sometime in early May. Each age group may have a slightly different end date due to specific tournaments. Sometimes, a team's season is extended past May due to post-season tournament opportunities.
Where and when is practice?
Teams play at a variety of gyms in Brooklyn and Staten Island.
Practice schedules are established at the beginning of each season after tryouts. You can get directions to our facilities on our Gyms and Locations page.
What is the tournament schedule?
Tournament Schedules for Girls teams are usually available in December.
Because it changes year to year, the tournament schedule will not be available until December and is subject to change.
Our goal is register for as many one-day tournaments in the GEVA area to maximize playing experience. These tournaments are on the weekends and each team will play between 3 and 5 matches. We also participate in at least two multi-day travel tournaments. Those dates will be announced earlier.
Depending on age and team success, it is possible a team will be eligible for additional post-season tournaments. Information for those tournaments will be shared as it becomes available.
What are travel expectations?
Parents & athletes are responsible for coordinating travel to and from practice and tournaments.
Our goal at NYC Volleyverse is to reduce travel as much as possible. Most tournaments are hosted in the NYC, Northern NJ, or Long Island areas. Multi-day overnight tournaments are also hosted within driving distance. Additionally, we are proud to offer a multi-day tournament in Manhattan.
Team parents will be connected at the beginning of the season, and we encourage coordination between families to assist with travel. This can help ease potential issues, and provide your athletes with more opportunities to bond with their teammates.
What is USAV? What is GEVA? What is AAU?
USAV, GEVA, and AAU are volleyball-governing organizations that organize tournaments and require player membership.
The national governing body for the sport of volleyball in the United States. A USAV membership is required for all players to tryout and compete. This membership is valid to try out for multiple clubs and is needed everywhere. Once you have joined a final roster, a full junior competition membership must be purchased at a reduced rate.
USAV also manages required coach certifications, including SafeSport training—a federal program designed to prevent abuse and misconduct in youth sports.
Garden Empire Volleyball Association (GEVA)
The regional branch of USAV covering New Jersey, Long Island, and the greater NYC metro area. Most of our tournament schedule runs through GEVA, and they require no separate membership from your USAV membership.
A separate governing body with its own tournament circuit. Starting in 2026, VolleyVerse will participate in select AAU events, including a multi-day tournament in Manhattan. A small additional AAU membership fee applies.
What does this all cost?
You can get started for just $50 with a Tryout Pass.
Tryout Costs
A tryout for NYC VolleyVerse costs just $50, plus the cost of a USAV tryout membership. The Tryout pass guarantees you two tryout opportunities.
Club Tuition
Club tuition for Girls 12U-18U teams for the 2026-2027 season is $4000. Girls 11U and all Boys teams will be $3500.
Your investment goes directly toward everything that makes the season possible — gym rentals, experienced coaches, uniforms, tournament fees, and equipment. As costs in all of these areas have increased, we've worked hard to keep VolleyVerse among the most affordable options in the region, where club tuition at comparable programs typically runs $7,000–$10,000, with some clubs reaching up to $20,000.
Tuition can be paid in full or spread out through a payment plan.
What if I don't make a team?
If you don't make a team, that doesn't mean your NYC Volleyverse journey is over!
Not all athletes are ready for competitive club-level play. However, we offer options so you can continue to develop toward future seasons.
VolleyVerse Rising Stars Program
Our unique practice and play program places you on an intramural-style team that combines club-style practice and tournament-style playing opportunities for your athlete to gain the experience needed for their next year's tryouts.
Classes, Camps, and Private Lessons
We offer a wide variety of focused classes and seasonal camps so your athlete can focus on sharpening their skills with instruction from NYC VolleyVerse coaches. We also offer 1-on-1 and group private lessons so your athlete can get custom instruction tailored to their specific needs.
Ready for Liftoff?
Secure your spot with an NYC VolleyVerse Tryout Pass.