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FAQS
#arsenalproud

I'm new to club volleyball!  Where should I start?

Club volleyball is a great experience for junior players.  Please visit the link below for common FAQs of families new to the club volleyball experience.

When is Open Gym?

Open Gym dates TBA.

Do you take walk ins for Open Gym and Tryouts?

Yes.  We require documentation to be completed before entering.  The documentation is completed by utilizing the registration linked within the Open Gym and Tryouts page.  This can take several minutes to complete, so please allow enough time to complete this if you choose to walk into a session.

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Do you offer any other programs?

Skills clinics are offered at various times of the year.

Sand programs are available in the spring and summer.

Youth training teams are available in the spring and summer.

When is the deadline to accept our Arsenal offer from Summer Tryouts?

July 17 at 9PM.  Offers extended July 18 and after will have a deadline of 48 hours.

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When is the deadline to accept our Arsenal offer from Fall Tryouts?

Ages 9-12: October 23 by 9PM.  Offers extended October 24 and after will have a deadline of 48 hours. 

Age 13: October 30 by 9PM.  Offers extended October 31 and after will have a deadline of 48 hours,

 

How do I accept my offer from Tryouts?

There are specific instructions on how to accept your offer on the Tryout Results page for your age group.

Are there any other guidelines or rights as it relates to offers?

Arsenal Volleyball Academy has traditionally been an OVR (Ohio Valley Region) club under USA Volleyball.  We also have JVA and AAU affiliations and memberships.  In addition to our offer terms, you can see OVR signing guidelines and rights as follows:

OVR Signing & Summer Tryout Policy

Early Signing Period Link

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​How far down the list of alternates is my daughter?

We move offers and alternates as soon as we can.  The next alternate is difficult to predict, as they usually depend on the position, and even school, of the player that needs to be replaced.  For example, we cannot allow more than 3 players from the same school per team for most of our teams.  If there are already 3 players from the same school on an older team with the opening, we can't use an alternate that's from that same school.  We don't provide specific details on her specific place on the alternates list, but providing new offers as they're available on the tryout results page is a priority.

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​What position will my daughter be?

There are too many variables to determine her position yet.  While we may have a specific position in mind during tryouts, a variety of circumstances can change this throughout the season.  We need to see how they've grown after their school season if they accepted during summer tryouts, if they gained new skills we should consider, how they progress and respond to training throughout their club season, etc.

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Can I talk to her coach?

There will be an opportunity to meet the coach and team in November during our Meet & Greet.  Many of our coaches are also coaching high school and need to focus on their school season, so we ask that you reserve your questions for our general inbox which we will answer as soon as possible: cincyarsenal@gmail.com.

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​If we accept, are we held responsible for the contract?

Yes.  Our contracts are binding.  It is critical for our teams that all acceptances will actually be playing on that team.  Any fees and dues collected and/or contracted are non-refundable as they immediately go towards uniforms, tournament entry fees, etc.  This includes, but is not limited to, injury and dismissal from the club.  Anyone that wants to be released from their contract must pay their dues in full, no exceptions.

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Can our placement change before teams are full?

Yes.  We don't move players down, but we may move them up until teams are filled.  This includes all players, not just those at the most recent tryouts.  The only exception to not moving up is if you're already on the highest division which you requested during registration.

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How much are club fees?

Rates for 2024-25 are as follows:

9U: $350

10U, 11U: $1,550

12U, Regional: $1,700

American: $2,550

National: $3,000

18 National: $2,050

Players may also need OVR memberships ($67), and/or AAU memberships ($20-22).  This is specific to your team, instructions on obtaining these memberships will be provided following offer acceptance. 

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Are there any other hidden fees?

No!  We don't charge extra for uniform packages, if the number of players on the team change, if the location of Nationals change, or the coach's hotel fees.  The only fees you're responsible for are the club and membership fees listed above, and any travel fees you personally incur (such as your own hotel and spectator entry fees).  To the contrary, specific teams enjoy added benefits within their fees (such as recruiting tools and video footage like Hudl).

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How are club fees paid?

All accepted players will receive information on how they will receive their club dues invoice shortly after the latest acceptance deadline for your age group.  There will be an online option or by mail.  Checks or cashier's checks should be made payable to Arsenal Volleyball Academy and can be mailed to the following address:

Arsenal Volleyball Academy

Attn: Kellie Schumacher

6242 Green Knoll Circle

Hamilton, OH 45011

Do not mail cash or money order.  We are not responsible for payments lost in the mail.  It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to ensure all fees are successfully paid.  Payments may not be given to coaches.

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What if we can't afford the club and/or travel fees?

We exhaust every resource and option possible to provide an opportunity to join a team.  Some teams travel less, and to closer destinations, than other teams, such as a Regional team versus a National team.  This will cut down on travel expenses.  There are other options that we offer that we would be happy to discuss.  Just send us an email to CincyArsenal@gmail.com, and we will be happy to explore all possible options with you.

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How often do we practice?

Practices are twice a week for 2 hours at all levels and ages.  National teams have an additional third practice for skills training.

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Where and when is practice?

Practice begins the first full week of December and ends on the last practice day before your last scheduled tournament.  All practices take place at Arsenal Volleyball Academy, 215 American Way in Monroe, OH.  Specific days/times for each team will be determined in the fall.

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What is our tournament schedule?

Tournament schedules are projected and subject to change.  The 2023-2024 schedule is posted on each team's page under the 2024 Teams tab.

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Can we do private lessons?

Yes.  We strongly encourage all of our players to take advantage of private lessons with their coach, or any of our other coaches on staff.  The decision to take on a private lesson will be at the discretion of the coach you're requesting.  When our coaches instruct, they do so on their own time and operate as an individual.  If your own coach is unable or unwilling to do private lessons, or if you'd just prefer to try another coach, we can help pair you with a coach to assist in your goals on our private lessons request page.

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Is there anything else I should know before accepting an offer?

Be sure to check out our Commitment Process page for other important information regarding the acceptance process with Arsenal.

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How can I increase my chances of getting recruited by college coaches?

We're proud to offer an on-site Assistant Director that is dedicated to all your recruiting needs and questions.  We also provide free Hudl accounts for every National level player, beginning at age 13.  Please visit our recruiting page for more information.

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I accepted my offer.  What's next?

1. TeamApp is required for every team at Arsenal.  It is the best way to receive Club information and team-specific communication from your coach and Directors.  Click on the Team App icon to join.   Once you're logged into the app, request access to "Arsenal News and Updates" and your specific team.  To do this, go to the Settings wheel > Access Groups.

2. Uniform orders will be taken during the summer.  A link for your uniform order submission will be sent by email following acceptance.  Please allow a week to receive your email.

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3. You'll receive an introductory email from us the week after your age group's last acceptance deadline.  The email will include a mandatory video to view, instructions and links for required paperwork, and a Meet & Greet Zoom meeting invitation.  During the zoom meeting, you'll get to interact with our Directors, coaches, and other families on your team.  The Meet & Greet will take place in November.

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For any other questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to us by sending an email to: CincyArsenal@gmail.com.

​What if we have a concern or problem?

We want all of our athletes and families to know that we're here to protect their rights and ensure that we can provide the best club experience possible.  If you have concerns, we encourage you to complete our form to make us aware.  We want to help!

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When will early contract offers go out from the 23-24 season?

U/Regional Teams: June 1

12 National: June 1

American: June 11

13-14 National: June 18

15 National: June 22

16 National: June 26

17 National: Survey June 30

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When is the deadline to accept our early contract offer from the 23-24 season?

One week from the date the offer was sent.

U/Regional Teams: June 9

12 National: June 9

American: June 19

13-14 National: June 26

15 National: June 30

16 National: July 4

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How much are the fees if we accept an early contract offer?

Your 2024-25 season dues will match the 2023-24 season club rates of the same level of placement.  We may require a deposit which will go towards dues.  Any required deposit will be detailed in your early contract offer.  The 2023-24 rates are not guaranteed for those that don't accept their early contract offer, then go on to accept a Summer or Fall tryout offer.

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We received an early offer.  Who will the coach be?

If a specific coach is not listed on the offer letter (for example, AVA 11U Schutte), then we either haven't named a coach yet, or placed your daughter to a specific team yet.  We're strategic where we place our coaches.  We find some teams and coaches have the most success if we wait until tryouts to match the teams with the most appropriate coaches that aren't already allocated to a team.

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We received an early club offer.  What level is being offered?

Club offers guarantee placement to an Arsenal team and level to be determined at tryouts.  This means she could receive Regional, American, or National placement to a specific team at tryouts. When we give our early offers, we don't offer any American level offers or all of our intended National offers.  The majority of our early offers are club.  If you have a preference to the highest level which you'd like her to be considered, you can indicate this preference on the tryout registration form which will be made available after tryout dates are announced. 

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We received a National offer, but we want to play a lower level.

We understand a national commitment is more costly and time consuming, and may not be for everyone.  It is okay if your daughter would like to get placement on an American or Regional level if she received a National offer.  In this case, do not accept the National offer, and email cincyarsenal@gmail.com so we can send you a new offer and void the old.  The new offer would be a club offer at which the level will be determined at tryouts.  You can distinguish the highest level you'd like to be considered on the tryout registration form which will be made available after tryout dates are announced.

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If we accept our offer, are we required to tryout?

Yes.  All players must attend at least one tryout date.  If you accepted an early contract offer to a specific team, we will credit your club dues in the amount of $30.  We do not credit $30 towards early contract accepts that require team placement (such as general club or general National level offers).

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If we did not accept an early contract, are we still able to tryout for a team?

Yes.  We welcome everyone to tryouts.  We may extend a new offer after tryouts.  Your new offer at tryouts is not guaranteed to match the early offer.  For example, declining a national offer doesn't mean you will be offered national again at tryouts.  Many older age national teams are determined before tryouts.

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Why didn't I receive an offer?

Early contract offers for the 2023-24 season will be sent as scheduled above.   A player is not eligible to receive an offer if there is an outstanding balance.  Please email Kellie at kschumacher@arsenalvb.com to pay or clear up any discrepancies over outstanding fees.  We may choose to extend an offer if the balance is paid a week prior to the July 31 deadline.  There are various other reasons why an offer may not have been sent if payment wasn't an issue.  You may verify if an offer should've been sent.  We are not required to explain early contract offer decisions, including team placement.

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Will there be an 18s team?

18s teams are not guaranteed and determined by interest in the prior season's 17s teams.  Instead of receiving and early contract offer following nationals, 17s will receive a survey to gauge interest in playing another year at 18s.  The 18s year is shorter and typically ends in April.  Practices are usually once a week and fees are unique to this team and it's individualized schedule.  We will follow up with all interested 18s players to let them know if we intend to proceed with an 18s team in July, following your survey.  The survey goes out June 30.

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If we didn't get an offer, can we come to tryouts?

Yes.  We welcome everyone to tryouts.  We may extend an offer after tryouts, provided any outstanding dues are paid.

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What if we have a concern or problem?

We want all of our athletes and families to know that we're here to protect their rights and ensure that we can provide the best club experience possible.  If you have concerns, we encourage you to complete our form to make us aware.  We want to help!

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When is Tryouts?

Club tryouts for ages 14-17 will take place during the summer.  There will not be fall tryouts for that age group unless we need to fill positions or teams.  Club tryouts for ages 9-13 will take place during the fall.  Additional tryout dates will be added as needed.

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