What is the CMASS philosophy?
We started CMASS in 2004 to give young female players the opportunity to play club volleyball locally. Our philosophy is to focus on skill development both at the individual and team level, while providing a competitive environment.
Where is CMASS located?
We hold all tryouts and practices at Forekicks II, located at 219 Forest St., Marlboro, MA 01752.
Who is the contact person at CMASS?
Please field/redirect any questions or issues via our contact page . Your answer will be addressed by the most applicable admin member (Becca, Pam, Gianna, Paul, or Chris).
What age group does my daughter belong in?
We recommend athletes play within their class (year of graduation) whenever feasible based on age, however please visit our Tryout Page to locate the Age Definition chart determine what age group(s) are allowable based on USAV policy.
Do you have to play in your age group or can you play up a level?
We encourage players to try out for their class (year of graduation) and/or age group (if younger). Although you may try out for an older age group, you should realize that the competition at the age is much stronger and the players generally have had more experience. Furthermore, college coaches recruiting for a certain class may miss the opportunity to view a player who decided to play up an age group. The exception would be if a player wishes to try out for a program not offered by their age group (ex: a U13 eligible player who wishes to play for a National team).
What is the difference between the team programs?
See our girls club program page to compare tabs.
How competitive are tryouts?
Team tryouts are very competitive. We have ~18 teams, which means we typically have spots for about 180-200 athletes. We have averaged over 500 players for tryouts in recent years.
See out tryout page for more information.
If you do not make a team, or do not have the time to play on a team, we offer our Academy program that provides skill training, competition, and several mini-tournaments.
Can I miss a tryout date?
While it is highly recommended that a player attend all of the tryout dates scheduled for a full and complete evaluation by our coaching staff, it is not necessary to attend all of the sessions, but you will need to let the registration desk know which session you will be missing so we can note it.
Does CMASS offer private lessons?
We have some one hour slots available on Saturdays and Sundays for private lessons and announce these openings via Facebook and our Newsletter.
How long and when are practices?
Practices are generally 1.5 – 2.5 hours long for all of our programs and held Sunday-Wednesday at Forekicks Marlboro
What are tournaments like?
The AAU Series for EDGE/APEX teams will be half-day events with either a morning or afternoon wave most likely within 90 minutes of Marlborough, MA.
Travel tournaments are typically 2-3 days long, with the first 1-2 days being a half day of pool play (either 8a-2p or 3p-9p) and the last day being single-elimination bracket playoffs. These tournaments are held in various sites in region, on the east coast, or across the country (based on program). Parents provide all transportation and accommodations for and during these tournaments.
What is the CMASS policy on playing time?
It is CMASS’ philosophy that parents pay for practice time and athletes earn tournament time. Playing time will be based on the coach’s assessment of the team and athletes which includes but not limited to the level of competition, each athlete’s individual skills, attitude, and their ability to consistently contribute to the team’s performance and chemistry. Each athlete will receive equal training time in all practice sessions and we guarantee some tournament time each day to each fully-rostered athlete, but we cannot and will not guarantee equal tournament time to anyone.
Do you let boys play?
NEW FOR 2023-2024: CMASS Juniors is excited to announce our first ever Boys Team Program- CMASS APEX!!
We are looking to field one u16 and one u18 team at the Regional level. More information can be found on the APEX page.
What is your refund policy?
CMASS Juniors Volleyball cannot guarantee refunds for participating in a sports program such as a clinic or team as the money collected in registration fees goes directly towards paying coaches for their time, court fees, insurance, equipment, and other fixed costs; all of which are expenses that cannot be recouped if CMASS is unable to fill that spot with another athlete.
In the event of certified athlete injury or unforeseen circumstance, CMASS will attempt to fill that spot with a new athlete and extend a refund if successful. Any refunds able to be extended will be issued in the form of CMASS credit only (to be used toward clinics, camps, team programs, or gear).
What happens if I don’t make a team in the program that I registered for?
Due to the increasing number of players participating in tryouts, movement will be made both during and after each tryout. This will be done as soon as decisions are made in order to give the athlete opportunity to be evaluated appropriately for the next team.
ie: an athlete who registers for EDGE National will be evaluated for such during the tryouts. As soon as it is determined a player will not make that team, they will be moved to EDGE North Atlantic (and so on) to be evaluated. This will be done both during and after each tryout in order for athletes to be appropriately evaluated for each level.
Athletes who do not make a National/North Atlantic team are encouraged to tryout for our Regional teams in September (if u15 or younger). Athletes who do not make a Regional team are invited to register for our Academy Program (no tryout required).
What is your travel policy?
CMASS does NOT provide transportation or accommodations to any tournaments for athletes and coaches are only responsible for athletes at tournaments while in the gym. It is the parents’ responsibility to provide transportation/accommodations for their athlete to and from ALL events (local and travel). If a parent/guardian cannot attend a travel tournament with their athlete, they will need to make arrangements for their athlete to travel/stay with another family (at their own risk & may not be a family containing a team coach).
Flight Recommendations:
- Departure: Leave the day before the tournament begins to allow time for flight delays or cancellations.
- Return: Plan for flights 6pm or later. Most tournaments have their last matches scheduled for 2 or 3pm and they almost always run behind schedule.
- Please be sure to pack all playing gear/uniforms/CMASS Gear in the athlete’s carry-on bag.
Hotel Information:
All USAV tournaments will follow the “Stay to Play” policy. This means that in order to compete in the tournament, a designated number of families per team must be staying in one of the official room blocks set up by the corresponding housing company. Additionally, many of these tournaments now require “Loyalty Booking” in order to obtain close-proximity hotels. This means that we are required to fill >90% of the blocked rooms or will be charged a fee.
CMASS will distribute hotel block information for parents in advance by email for all stay-to-play tournaments. Athletes will room with their parents (unless arrangements are made to stay with another family).
- All families attending the Capitol Classic Tournament are expected to book out of the hotel block. Please contact CMASS directly if requiring alternative accommodations for this tournament.
- Families are expected to book out of the team block for at least 50% of the stay-to-play tournaments for the season.
- CMASS will provide several email warnings to teams who have failed to meet the booking requirements prior to the booking deadline.
- If a team has not met the booking requirements by the deadline, CMASS will book the necessary room(s) and bill all the non-booked families for that tournament.
- Once the booking deadline has passed, families who have booked out of the block are responsible for maintaining the reservation. In the event of an unforeseen circumstance, CMASS will help in trying to transfer the room to another family, but cannot guarantee the transfer.
- Coaches will communicate curfews and “lights out” for the players where applicable. Please support your team by following these guidelines.
