Choosing the right volleyball club for your young athlete can feel overwhelming—especially with so many options, promises, and priorities to weigh. At NSSC Volleyball Club, our goal isn’t to tell you we’re the best or push you into a decision. Instead, we believe in helping families make the right choice—for their athlete’s skill development, happiness, and future.
With that in mind, here are four key things to consider when selecting a club to call “home” for the season.
Table of Contents
1. Go Where You Get Great Coaching & Constructive Feedback
Not all coaching is created equal. Quality coaching isn’t just about winning—it’s about developing skills in a way that’s personalized, consistent, and grounded in fundamentals.
If your athlete is on a team where they’re not receiving meaningful input—from technical correction to in-game adjustments—they won’t improve. Great coaches:
- Take time to give one-on-one feedback
- Build players’ confidence and knowledge
- Push them toward real, measurable growth
⚠️ If there’s no coaching, there’s no improvement. Period.
At NSSC, we place high value on individual development across all skill levels. Our large coaching staff and team structure allow us to give each athlete the attention they deserve.
2. Choose a Club Where You’ll Have a Great Experience
Volleyball should be challenging, yes—but it should also be fun. The right club will foster not just technical skills, but also character, resilience, team spirit, and a love for the game.
Your athlete deserves a season filled with:
- A positive team culture and healthy team dynamics
- Supportive coaches who are about more than just winning
- An environment where your athlete feels seen, supported, and challenged
When players enjoy their environment, they grow more, try harder, and stay in the sport longer.
Your athlete should look forward to practices and tournaments, not dread them. At NSSC, we work hard to build a collaborative, supportive environment for players across all skill levels—and that starts with passionate coaches and good humans throughout our organization.
📣 At NSSC, our players play hard and have fun doing it. We’ve worked hard to create a culture where players want to show up, learn, and connect.
3. Go Where You’ll Get Playing Time
This one’s big. If development is your top priority (and it should be), your athlete needs to be on the court and part of a team where all players get the attention they deserve… when earned, of course. Players don’t improve by watching from the bench all season—they grow by high-intensity practices, playing under pressure, making decisions in real-time, and learning through reps.
We often see families gravitate toward a club’s “top team,” only to realize that their athlete is sitting most of the time or feels the team is built around only a select few players. That can be frustrating, and it doesn’t help your athlete get better.
💡 If the choice is between:
- Playing limited minutes for a top-tier team, or
- Getting major playing time with a competitive team where you can develop,
✅ Choose the reps. Choose the growth. Choose the court time.
At NSSC, having up to four teams per age group means we can place athletes at a competitive level where they’ll play, contribute, and improve in actual game situations. If you’re aiming to improve, get reps, and enjoy the game, find a team where you’re part of the action, not just riding the bench.
4. Understand the Truth About Recruiting and Exposure
Some clubs will boast about playing in “Open” or attending a marathon schedule of 30+ tournaments across multiple states to help your athlete get recruited. That’s not always necessary—or even helpful.
What truly matters in recruiting is:
- Competing in at least 3 high-quality events out of your region, like qualifiers, JVA, or AAU
- Having film with visible improvement
- Getting seen on the court, not on the bench
College coaches are not just looking at elite teams—they’re watching athletes who have skill, play with confidence, and show growth.
This also means… It’s absolutely true that a club volleyball team’s win-loss record doesn’t determine a player’s recruitment prospects. College coaches are primarily interested in individual skill, athleticism, and potential, not the overall team record. While playing for a strong club can offer more visibility and opportunities to showcase talent, it’s not a prerequisite for getting recruited.
🎓 Bottom line: It’s more about development and exposure at the right events, not chasing a never-ending calendar.
At NSSC – It’s Not About Being “Better.” It’s About Being Right For You.
At NSSC, we do things differently.
✨ We don’t try to be better than anyone else.
We focus on being the right place for as many athletes as possible.
With a large staff, top-tier coaches, and room for all levels, we’ve built a space where:
- Beginners can learn fundamentals
- Intermediate athletes can sharpen skills
- Advanced players can pursue elite competition and college dreams
If your athlete wants to compete, improve, and find their fit—we can help them find a home at NSSC.
Hear More From Our NSSC Club Director, Carl Ritter
A little more about our layout at NSSC when it comes to our teams, rosters, recruiting, high school-aged tryout dates, and open gym opportunities. Important Tryout Dates for all ages 10u-18u can be found here.
Ready to Talk?
Choosing a club shouldn’t feel stressful—it should feel exciting. We know you have options, and we’re here to be a resource, whether you choose us or not.
If you’re looking for a club that puts athletes first and provides opportunities for training, growth, and enjoyment at every level, let’s start the conversation.
👉 Contact NSSC Volleyball Club today—and let’s help your athlete find their place, their people, and their potential.
Important Tryout Dates for all ages 10u-18u can be found here.
Whether your player is chasing a college volleyball career or just discovering a passion for the sport—we’re here to help you find the best fit, the right team, and a season full of progress and purpose.
