COLAVOL Travel Teams FAQs
Q: We're interested in playing on a team, but my child will still be in her middle school season. What if she misses practice?
A: We know MCSD's volleyball season may have a later start date than other schools. There will be clinic-style practices on the weekends until the middle school season is over to minimize scheduling conflicts. Any clinics provided during the week would be optional. Playing on a COLAVOL team is compatible with school ball.
Q: What is the travel commitment like?
A: COLAVOL offers two options for traveling teams, "Travel" and "Limited Travel". Travel teams (13U-18U) will go to 7-8 tournaments (mostly 2-day) within a few hours of Columbus, generally no further than Birmingham, Knoxville, or Savannah. Limited Travel teams (11U-13U) have 5 tournaments, (some 1-day, some 2-day) within 2 hours of Columbus. Many LT teams can travel to and from some of the tournaments on the same day. Practices are 2-3 days per week.
Q: What are the typical costs for travel teams?
A: Travel teams typically cost between $2300-$2500 and Limited Travel teams between $1700-$1800. This depends on several factors, including the number of players on the team, the number of events, and club overhead costs.
Q: What if we make a team, but can't make a tournament?
A: We get tentative tournament schedules out as soon as possible. At that point, we check with the team to make sure the tournament schedule works. If multiple players have unavoidable conflicts for a certain tournament, we may find a replacement tournament instead.
Q: How is a COLAVOL team different from a school ball team?
A: COLAVOL coaches are extremely focused on individual skill and team development. School seasons are short, and may not always be able to significantly develop players in that short amount of time. COLAVOL offers more focused skill training for a longer period of time before games start. COLAVOL events are weekend tournaments. Tournaments are multiple games in one place in 1-2 days, whereas school ball is usually one game per day multiple times per week. Coaches and parents find that the club format is often more compatible with families' schedules than traveling multiple times each week on weekdays with school teams. Club teams are also age-specific and have flexibility in what division a team plays in. That means that 6th graders don't play against 8th graders.
Q: Are there any payment options? When is payment due?
A: Yes! We want your player to have every opportunity possible to play. We have payment plans that allow you to pay in installments over 5-7 months starting as early as August, depending on when you sign your commitment.
And of course, we understand that COLAVOL travel teams might not be an option for you this year, but we would encourage you to check out our available resources to consider trying out in future years. Non-travel training opportunities are posted on colavol.com now. Parent packets will be posted soon.
Please reach out with any questions. We'd be happy to answer them!
A: We know MCSD's volleyball season may have a later start date than other schools. There will be clinic-style practices on the weekends until the middle school season is over to minimize scheduling conflicts. Any clinics provided during the week would be optional. Playing on a COLAVOL team is compatible with school ball.
Q: What is the travel commitment like?
A: COLAVOL offers two options for traveling teams, "Travel" and "Limited Travel". Travel teams (13U-18U) will go to 7-8 tournaments (mostly 2-day) within a few hours of Columbus, generally no further than Birmingham, Knoxville, or Savannah. Limited Travel teams (11U-13U) have 5 tournaments, (some 1-day, some 2-day) within 2 hours of Columbus. Many LT teams can travel to and from some of the tournaments on the same day. Practices are 2-3 days per week.
Q: What are the typical costs for travel teams?
A: Travel teams typically cost between $2300-$2500 and Limited Travel teams between $1700-$1800. This depends on several factors, including the number of players on the team, the number of events, and club overhead costs.
Q: What if we make a team, but can't make a tournament?
A: We get tentative tournament schedules out as soon as possible. At that point, we check with the team to make sure the tournament schedule works. If multiple players have unavoidable conflicts for a certain tournament, we may find a replacement tournament instead.
Q: How is a COLAVOL team different from a school ball team?
A: COLAVOL coaches are extremely focused on individual skill and team development. School seasons are short, and may not always be able to significantly develop players in that short amount of time. COLAVOL offers more focused skill training for a longer period of time before games start. COLAVOL events are weekend tournaments. Tournaments are multiple games in one place in 1-2 days, whereas school ball is usually one game per day multiple times per week. Coaches and parents find that the club format is often more compatible with families' schedules than traveling multiple times each week on weekdays with school teams. Club teams are also age-specific and have flexibility in what division a team plays in. That means that 6th graders don't play against 8th graders.
Q: Are there any payment options? When is payment due?
A: Yes! We want your player to have every opportunity possible to play. We have payment plans that allow you to pay in installments over 5-7 months starting as early as August, depending on when you sign your commitment.
And of course, we understand that COLAVOL travel teams might not be an option for you this year, but we would encourage you to check out our available resources to consider trying out in future years. Non-travel training opportunities are posted on colavol.com now. Parent packets will be posted soon.
Please reach out with any questions. We'd be happy to answer them!
