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We provide 5 playing levels. Below is the breakdown per each age group of what level will be offered for what age groups:
*Tournament schedule is subject to change in any unforeseen circumstances
We are entering our seventh season and are just amazed at the success we have earned in the short six seasons having 2 teams reaching podium at USAV Nationals in Chicago:
This success at USAV Nationals marks first medals earned for any central AR team at USAV Nationals!
We continue to be motivated and excited to continue to build on our previous years' success and continue to grow methodically with focus on quality of our services over quantity of teams that we are able to serve. In 2022/23 season EVA teams had 80 top-5 finishes of that being 10 tournament championships and 53 top 3 finishes (this is Gold bracket only and many of our teams playing up or tough out of region tournaments). We added several tougher tournaments outside of the region and created very competitive opportunities for our teams.
In 2021/2022 EVA team reached podium 24 times (total 17 EVA teams that season), doubling the total tournament wins from the previous season (total 11 EVA teams season 2020/21). There were also 12 Runner-up Finishes.
Our focus continues to stay on coach selection and preparation process. We host multiple coaches clinics prior to the season and new coaches usually spend the fall coaching trainings under coach Eckart to hear and see firsthand the EVA expectation and skill key words so that we have uniformity in our program. We recognize the need for quality leadership as volleyball grows in our region as well the whole nation. We have an exciting, knowledgeable, positive and enthusiastic group of coaches . We will continue to have coaches serve in various roles (head coaches, assistant coaches, floater coaches, and master coaches).
We enjoy being able to grow the club and serve more players and teams we are always looking for coaches who are first and foremost positive leaders. We firmly believe that everyone, especially young people, excel in a positive and encouraging environment. We are looking for great teachers because that is what coaches are - they teach volleyball skills, game, perseverance, how to be a great teammate, how to overcome the disappointment, how to accept the role that you necessarily wouldn't pick as your first choice, they motivate and encourage and so much more. Coaching obviously requires a lot of game knowledge and understanding of principles but we are all continuously learning and improving so nobody arrives completely made.
If you are interested in coaching with EVA, e-mail EVA Club Director Tanja Eckart at eckartvolleyball@gmail.com . Also, visit "How we coach at EVA" to know the coaching expectations.
We want to offer competitive playing schedule to all our teams. Tournaments are selected first based on the team level: Elite, National, Regional Plus, Regional, or Local Plus.
Next we look for the strength of the tournament, variety of teams from different regions to be exposed to as well as looking for balance of being locally represented while seeking tough competition in other states/regions.
If we have several teams in the same age group we look for different tournaments on the same weekend if possible so that each team can stand on its own and not compete against another EVA team.
We also believe in advancing our game by playing an age group up or the strongest offered division for our top teams (this applies to our elite/national teams). With this philosophy we put premium on advancing the game and potentially forgoing a big chance at winning a tournament in their own age group to be exposed to higher level, faster and more powerful volleyball in age group above theirs. This type of scheduling provides results in the long run as the Junior National Championship qualifiers are in March and mostly April so that's when we want to play our best volleyball to qualify.
LOCAL PLUS: plays in 3 Power League days, Power League Championship and 5 two-day tournaments without an overnight stay (ex/ Little Rock, Hot Springs, Benton, Conway)
REGIONAL: plays in 1 power leagues and 6 tournaments that will be balanced between local play (ex/ Little Rock, Hot Springs, Benton, Conway) and overnight tournaments (ex/ Fort Smith, Tulsa, Fayetteville)
REGIONAL PLUS: plays in 1 power league, 6 two-day tournaments (variety of in state and out of state travel for example Benton, Fayetteville, Memphis, Southaven MS, ) with little heavier load then regional team. We want our regional plus to experience a great and challenging season as this level is just a step down from national level for players who are high in skill, but can't commit to the national level schedule and travel.
NATIONAL 12-16U: has a challenging and demanding schedule as elite teams only with a goal of competing at the AAU Nationals in Orlando. National level teams will not follow the qualifying route, but the purpose of their longer season is development in skill and game to compete at the Nationals in Orlando. National team's season is mid Nov - mid June. National team plays in 10-11 tournaments and finish at AAU Nationals in Orlando, FL.
12-13U National teams are number 1 teams in their respective age groups, but the difference with Elite teams is that they play at AAU Nationals. Our big goal for this age group in national level is to start growing in skill/game and experience by exposing younger players to national level play and development. It provides longer season for skill and game growth. Traveling is not as demanding as older national level teams (14-18U), but we try to balance regional and national tournaments to keep giving young athletes opportunity to experience playing in bigger tournaments outside of our region (ex/MLK Kansas City, President's Day Classic in St. Louis, Lone Star Classic in Dallas all all national tournaments played in the Convention Center).
ELITE: plays in the most challenging and demanding schedule as elite teams have a goal of qualifying for the USAV Junior National Championship (played each year in early/mid July). Elite teams' season is early/mid Nov - early/mid July. Elite teams plays in 10-11 tournaments, with 3-4 qualifying opportunities (depends on the qualifiers schedule each year as many time same age group overlaps in 2 qualifiers which makes us choose only one instead of playing in all). Elite teams travel to different regions to play in high playing divisions to prepare for their qualifying tournaments. For elite teams we play a lot in an age group above your own in regional tournaments and seek high competition in tough divisions on the national level to expose our teams to high level of competition and prepare for the ultimate goal of competing at USAV Nationals.
Elite teams' season is geared towards playing and qualifying for the USAV Girls Junior National Championship. Only if they do not qualify through the national qualifiers and the Delta region qualifier they will attend AAU Nationals in Orlando.
National teams' season is geared to provide longer season for further development and playing experience without qualification path, but rather working towards competing at the AAU Nationals in Orlando. If a national level team is competing in the national qualifying tournament for competition and experience they will compete in American or Club division.
LOCAL PLUS Level
(3/PL, 5 tourneys) "UPDATED '23/24"
(3/PL, 6/2-day tourneys) "UPDATED '23/24"
LOCAL PLUS Level
(3/PL, 5 tourneys) "UPDATED '23/24"
LOCAL PLUS Level
(3/PL, 5 tourneys) "UPDATED '23/24"
(1/PL, 10 tournaments including AAU Nationals) "UPDATAED 23/24"
REGIONAL Level
(3/PL, 6/2-day) "UPDATED '23/24"
LOCAL PLUS Level
(3/PL, 5 tourneys) "UPDATED '23/24"
LOCAL PLUS Level
(3/PL, 5 tourneys) "UPDATED '23/24"
(1/PL, 10 tourneys including AAU Nationals) "UPDATED 23/24"
REGIONAL PLUS level
(2/PL, 6/2-day tourneys) "UPDATED 23/24"
REGIONAL Level
(1/PL, 6/2-day tourneys) "UPDATED 23/24"
REGIONAL level
(2/PL, 6/2-day tourney) "UPDATED 23/24"
(1 PL, 10 tourneys including USAV or AAU Nationals)
"UPDATED 23/24"
(1 PL, 11 tourneys plus AAU Nationals 4-day) "UPDATED 23/24"
REGIONAL PLUS LEVEL
(2/PL, 6 tourneys) "UPDATED 23/24"
REGIONAL PLUS LEVEL
(1/PL, 6 tourneys) "UPDATED 23/24"
(1PL, 10 Tourney including USAV Nationals or AAU Nationals) "UPDATED 23/24"
(1 PL, 11 tourneys plus AAU Nationals 4-day) "UPDATED 23/24"
REGIONAL PLUS LEVEL
(2/PL, 6 tourneys) "UPDATED 23/24"
REGIONAL PLUS LEVEL
(1/PL, 6 tourneys) "UPDATED 23/24"
(1 PL, 10 Tourneys, USAV Nationals or AAU Nationals)
"UPDATED 23/24"
(1PL, 10 tourney plus AAU Nationals) "UPDATED '23/24"
REGIONAL PLUS LEVEL
(1PL, 6/2-day) "UPDATED '23/24"
(1 PL, 10 tourneys, USAV Nationals)
"UPDATED 23/24 "
Regional Plus Level
(1 PL, 6 tourneys) "UPDATED 23/24"
"UPDATED 23/24 "
Interested in becoming a sponsor of Elite Volleyball Academy?
Want to participate in your local community? Become a sponsor for Elite Volleyball Academy and support youth in your area.
Want to participate in your local community? Become a sponsor for Elite Volleyball Academy and support youth in your area.
Want to participate in your local community? Become a sponsor for Elite Volleyball Academy and support youth in your area.