Girls Open

Open Club Level

These teams are for athletes who want to pursue the highest level of play, including National Bids to USAV, JVA or AAU Nationals, Collegiate Scholarships, and Junior National team rosters.  

Skill level: Advanced. 

Teams will practice four to six hours a week and will compete in the Open Division of the Arizona Region of USA Volleyball, which provides 4 weekend tournaments each consisting of 4-5 matches. Open teams will also compete in 4 National Qualifiers and several multi-day tournaments during the season. The season runs from November to July. These are elite-level teams offering the highest level of competition and training, requiring the highest level of commitment. Open-level teams require each player to place volleyball before any other sport or activity.

Age Classifications: 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18

Level Description: Elite = Open

Open Level teams are highly competitive, and limited roster spots are available. You must be able to commit to the entire season, which ends in July.

  • Tournaments: Open Division, Cactus Classic, Festival Fiesta, Nike Music City National Qualifier (New Orleans), Arizona National Qualifier, West Coast National Qualifier (Anaheim, CA), and Far Western National Qualifier (Reno, Nevada) or Salt Lake City Showdown National Qualifier (UT).
  • Extra Tournaments: Holiday Heat, NIT or Stars and Stripes, Summer Soiree (Ahahiem, California), AAU Nationals (Orlando, Florida), or USAV Nationals.

Our goal is to earn a bid and qualify for USAV Nationals. If we qualify, we will pay that fee at that time to secure our spot. If we do not qualify, we will register to attend one or more end-of-season national championships, such as the USAV Invited bid category, or AAU Nationals in Orlando, Florida. This means that our season does not end until late June or early July.

Characteristics

An Open-level volleyball player is typically at the most competitive and skilled tier of club or organized play, often attracting top talent from across the country or internationally. These players are not just technically proficient — they also demonstrate advanced physical conditioning, strategic understanding, and consistent performance.

Key characteristics include:

1. Advanced Technical Skills

  • Consistent overhand serve with the ability to target specific positions on the defensive side.
  • Controlled and settable passing that allows for precise hand sets.
  • Clean, reliable handsets to hitters, with some setters able to accommodate individual hitter preferences.
  • Powerful and precise hitting with the ability to deliver hard-driven attacks, control approach, and blocking footwork.
  • Strong defensive skills — blockers coordinate timing with hitters to take away specific angles, and defenders cover the court efficiently.

2. High Volleyball IQ

  • Understands and can execute multiple offensive systems (e.g., 6-2, 5-1) and defensive formations.
  • Recognizes opponent tendencies and adapts play accordingly.
  • Can read the game quickly and make split-second decisions.

3. Physical Conditioning

  • Exceptional endurance to sustain high-intensity play over long matches.
  • Strong leg and core strength for quick transitions, blocking, and digging.
  • High speed and agility for both offense and defense.

4. Role Specialization

  • Often play in a defined role (e.g., setter, hitter, blocker) with a deep understanding of that position’s responsibilities.
  • Can execute advanced systems and maintain consistency in all aspects of the game.

5. Team and Sportsmanship Attributes

  • Demonstrates team spirit and ownership of their own game.
  • Encourages teammates and plays with professionalism, even under pressure.

6. Competitive Drive

  • Competes for top-tier recognition and may aim for collegiate or professional opportunities.
  • Willing to participate in high-level tournaments and meet strict eligibility criteria.

In short, an Open-level player is technically elite, physically conditioned, strategically sharp, and committed to excellence, making them a cornerstone of high-performance volleyball teams.