Is there a Women's Volleyball Championship in the US?

Question

I've always wondered why the US have such a strong national team but the best players play here in Italy.

How does it work? Is it a university championship? If so, what's the highest limit of age to play in a university team?

Thank you...

Answer 1

Yes...the NCAA is for amatuer status players enrolled in a college. The age of these players will be from 18 to 22 generally speaking. The USVA (United States Volleyball Association) Open championships is for everyone that has moved on to professional status or not an active college player. The USA Olympic team still trains in Colorado Springs year round and only recently have they been allowed to use players that have professional experience. This is why in the early '80's the USA defeating Russia in hockey was such an astounding event since our players were college kids going against professional Russian players that were 10 yrs older. Only in the last 15 years have we been able to use professional players on our Olympic teams (see Dream Team USA basketball) The VB program still uses some college talent but they now use professionals as well as long as they have citizenship in US.

Answer 2

There is a NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) Championship every year. Most of the National Team players have played through High School, Junior High, and Sometimes elementary school and earlier.

You can play at college for 4 years, there are special circumstances where you can play 5, but that's beyond the scope of this question.

Most US National Team players also play professionally in Europe and Asia. Plus, this year, Lang Ping has been doing a great job coaching the team.

Answer 3

USA Volleyball also hosts yearly national championships for women.  There are four groups based on talent level and many other age groups based on age.  There is also co-ed, reverse co-ed, and U-volley, which is for the not as tall players.  This year, the tournament will be in Atlanta around Memorial Day.

Answer 4

They play overseas because there's no where else for them to play professionally.  There is no professional vball league in the US, so the best players go overseas, where there are pro leagues, so that they can make a living in between the Olympics and the FIVB World Cups.

The NCAA women's vball tournament is the collegiate championship.  Since there's no pro vball league, I suppose that the NCAA tournament can be considered, as you put it, the "women's volleyball championship."

Answer 5

yes NCAA