In Episode 21, Chuck and Brian travel to Baltimore, MD for the JVA Charm City Classic to talk to Team Mom, Parent, and Former D1 athlete, Natalie McIlhenny.

This episode talks about what to expect as a new parent venturing into the world of club Volleyball and is a MUST LISTEN for all parents. Natalie does an amazing job of putting things into perspective and gives her tips, tricks, and lessons learned from 4 years of Club Volleyball.

In Segment 1, we discuss the benefits of playing club volleyball, and all of the ways that parents can enhance the experience for the team. Natalie walks us through her first year where expectations are unknown through Year 4 where life lessons and lifelong friendships have become just as important as volleyball!

In Segment 2, we discuss the challenges that families face when commiting their time and money to play club volleyball. We talk about various levels of competiton, travellling to far away places to play volleyball, and how to manage everything with younger siblings.

In Segment 3 we talk about Tournament Survival for families and players. Natalie share her tips on how the Team Parent can help the team, while maintaining important boundries with the coaches. She explains the value of being a positive voice on the slidelines, and staying out of the drama that seems to follow club volleyball and teenage girls.

We reach into the bag of Volleyball Moms questions and Natalie shares tips on team bonding, the role of the team parent, finding the best hotel deals, what to pack for a tournament, and chimes in on the "Great Seat Debate" that drives Volleyball Moms crazy!

Segment 1

1:25 - Introduction of our guest, Team Mom Extraordinaire Natalie McIlhenny

2:23 - Getting started with club

4:27 - First impressions of the club experience

5:40 - Biggest benefits of club so far

8:11 - Balancing the competitive nature of club and having fun

10:18 - The "end game" with regard to club

12:21 - Personal growth resulting from the club experience for players

14:45 - Social benefits for parents, including the interaction with other parents and club staff

Segment 2

18:15 - Discussion of the financial commitment required by club from both the club and family perspectives

24:00 - Handling the time commitment as a family, especially with multiple children, and parents of players working together as their own team during the season

29:00 - Avoiding being "that parent" to maximize the experience

31:38 - The potential positive impact of club with regard to the life experience it offers

33:18 - The importance of having the designated "team parent" for each team

34:31 - Having the right motivation for being a "team parent"

36:25 - Advice for parents who are contemplating going "all-in" with a volleyball club

Segment 3

39:31 - Strategies for arranging hotels in advance of multi-day tournaments

43:39 - Tips for parents to prepare for single-day tournaments

44:17 - Player equipment discussion from Volleyball Moms

46:36 - Necessities for parents to manage different tournament venue requirements

48:45 - Natalie's perspective on "The Great Seat Debate" from Volleyball Moms

50:42 - Tournament merchandise discussion from Volleyball Moms

52:25 - Final thoughts regarding pertinent advice for club volleyball parents

53:53 - "You Are Doing Great" - a motivational post from Volleyball Moms

55:50 - Wrap-up

The first episode of 2025 finds Chuck and Brian at TNT's just-opened new facility, the Armory!

In Segment 1, we talk about the benefits of the new facility now that it's open - and how it came to fruition.

Segment 2 answers some important questions about the start of the club volleyball tournament season as posted by our Facebook friends at Volleyball Moms. Wanna hear out take on teams yelling "Balls Up", Sandbagging and what to do if you are feeling duped by your club? Join us in a fun conversation about important issues facing the club volleyball world.

Segment 1: The Opening of The Armory

1:00 How The Armory came to be?

7:56 What does the new facility offer as compared to the bunker?

11:37 What are some of the plans for each facility moving forward?

15:36 Will all of the teams get to practice at the new facility?

Segment 2: Catching Up With Some Questions From Volleyball Moms

20:30 Is it too late for a player at age 13 to get started with volleyball?

22:59 Thoughts on court etiquette and yelling "Balls Up!" on an opponent serve?

25:22 What about playing time at tournaments?

30:14 How about choosing a captain?

34:00 What level should a club's #1 team be playing in at tournaments?

37:50 The addition of multiple players to a team --- and what it means to be a starter?

43:00 12U and being asked to change positions?

45:31 Role of (and need for) parent coaches?

47:39 A clever way to perhaps avoid having to buy hoodies, etc. at multiple tourneys?

49:22 Wrap-up

In episode 19, Chuck and Brian ventured to the new TNT Armory facility scheduled to open in January to meet up with 13U Coach John Kutsuzawa, a.k.a. JK3.

John will be coaching the National TNT 13 Roadrunner team this season and has played volleyball for over 30 years. JK3 has coached CYO, high school, adults, and beach players. He has previous club stops at East Coast Power and GPS Crush prior to coming to TNT.

Ever wonder what to expect from 13 year old players and how much you can challenge them? JK3 shares shares his thoughts on what to focus on in practice, and what to expect as a player develops in the critical 13U year of volleyball.

Timeline:

1:22 Meet Coach JK3

2:52 Highlighting Some of JK3's Experiences in Volleyball (and in life) Prior to TNT

5:30 Coaching Philosophy

8:00 JK's Other Interests

9:53 Why 13U is His Preferred Age Group

10:59 Favorite Memories at TNT

14:26 JK3's Leadership Role at TNT: Coordinating Required Coaching Certifications

16:50 History of 13U at TNT, Why Participation Doubles at 13U Compared to 12U, and TNT Philosophy on Getting Younger Players Involved

20:30 Variance in Players at 13U and What Coaches Want From Younger Players

24:08 Reasonable Expectations / What Not to Focus on at 13U

32:14 What About Those Who Want to Play at Higher Levels?

36:10 What Coaches Look for Specifically During Open Gyms and Tryouts

39:19 JK3's Thoughts on "You Can't Teach Height" When Forming a Team

41:23 The Growth that Occurs in Younger Players from Year-to-Year

43:56 13U Transitioning to High School

45:02 Playing Time, Balancing Teaching and Learning vs. Winning at 13U

50:24 Volleyball Moms Questions for Chuck and JK3

60:00 Bonus Question from Coaching Volleyball Group

63:00 Current Happenings and Holiday Season Programming at TNT

65:50 Wrap-Up