Posted by Alex Ethier - Outland Volleyball Club on October 31, 2001 at 16:36:29:
In Reply to: Mens level this year? posted by Bart Blair on October 31, 2001 at 10:06:20:
Ok, I guess I'll stir the pot too.
I'm starting a "new" volleyball club this season. I've gotten lots of responses from e-mails and inquiries I've sent out from players interested in playing "competitive" volleyball.
The question I always get asked by those who have not seen or played GEVA events before is "how do I know what level to play?"
My response has been (and I believe it is quite accurate), that "Most players play in leagues, and it has been my experience that players in MOST leagues judge their levels by the leagues they play in. To compare MOST leagues to GEVA play it would break down as follows:
MOST LEAGUES GEVA
AA Level BB-A Levels
A Level BB Level (in some cases a High B-Level)
BB Level B Level (if that)
B Level Should "probably" not consider playing GEVA
Now some leagues have exceptions, and ALL leagues have players that are exceptions.
I do find the disparity between the levels to be of some concern.
On the one hand, one would expect the GEVA levels to be higher by nature, and that players who play in those levels are playing in GEVA because they want the "higher" competitive factor.
On the other hand, the reason the levels have such a gap, may be because "newer" teams, or players who would like to compete in a tournament format, are discouraged or disgruntled by the fact that they pay their money the same as everyone else, without a chance to even compete on an equal level.
Recommendations have been made over the past couple of years for several "solutions" to be created by GEVA when, in fact, the solutions are not for GEVA to make.
The players need to decide what level they feel they can compete in. The players need to find locations and organizers to create more available tournament dates and locations for the higher levels to help draw those teams to play against each other.
The players need to evaluate where their team can compete, and what they are "really" playing the tournament for? Is it for the "prestige" of a t-shirt of sweatshirt? Or is it for the love playing the sport, for the competition and challenge of winning, and earning the victory attributed to a well fought match.
Ultimately, it is the PLAYERS who will have to make the decision. GEVA can reorganize all the levels they want, and if the players don't want to "move up" or "move down" as each case may prescribe, they will not. They will find a way to "beat the system" and play at whatever level they want to strive for.
I admire the determination of the teams who "DON'T WIN" every week, or every month. The teams that keep coming back for more, because they are there to play, to compete. That is what sports in general, and the game of volleyball is about.
My club will be in these tournaments this year. As an introduction to the players who have never played GEVA before, we will register our initial teams at the B level for the first few tournaments. But win or lose, if we can compete well at that level, (ie. hold our own, or "kick some butt"), then we will petition to move to the next level. Not because I say so, but because that's what the PLAYERS want, they want to move into this competitive range of volleyball for the chance to learn, develop, and compete.
For those of you who have read this entire soapbox, thank you, and if you're interested in joining a volleyball club in the Southern New Jersey (near Philadelphia) area. We are organizing teams for Men's, Women's, and Juniors.
Thank you all for your time, and I hope to see you all ON THE COURTS!!!