In Episode 22, Chuck and Brian talk to Volleyball Lifer and College Coach Eli Porr and Volleyball Dad and TNT Club Director Leon Kasperski as they discuss their thoughts on the College Recruiting process.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone considering playing college volleyball or simply trying to decide if college volleyball is right for them.

In Segment 1, we discuss what college coaches are actually looking for when scouting volleyball players. The answers may surprise you! What are the attributes and skills coaches prioritize in recruits? What makes a player stand out? How do you create a recruiting video? What is more inportant to a coach, Performance or Potential? When should you start the recruiting process? And is it possible to get recruited when you play on a subpar team with non-college minded players?

In Segment 2, we discuss the role that parents play in the recruiting process. What can parents do to help their athlete get recruited, and IMPORTANTLY, what do they sometimes do that helps ensure that their athlete does NOT get recruited? Do college coaches care about high school and club statistics? How important are the measurables such as height, vertical, and jump touch? This segment answers all of thsoe questions.

In Segment 3 we talk about the Club's role in the recruiting process while trying to avoid getting sucked into the world of NIL and the dreaded Transfer Portal! We also educate athletes on the college visit process and answer the question regardng the importance of College Showcase events. Finally, we end the segment explaining the role the club can play when scheduling events to make sure athletes are noticed by colleges they are most likely to attend and talk about future plans for discussion of recruting with some of our players.

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Segment 1: What Colleges are Looking for From Players and Families

1:15 Intro of our guests, Eli Porr and Leon Kasperski

3:20 Episode Goals

4:00 The numbers of players who continue playing in college and the level of competition for available positions

7:50 What the attributes / skills are that coaches look for in players

13:25 Evaluating actual performance vs. potential and the differences at each level

14:55 Playing D1 vs. D2 or D3 --- making the best decision for yourself

18:01 The role of film in recruiting and what to send to coaches

23:35 What to focus on when a coach visits your match and you're having an "off-day" such as sound technique

Segment 2: The Role of Parents in the Process and Performance Metrics Valued by Coaches

29:50 The appropriate role for a parent to take in recruiting

36:15 The role of parents in club vs. a high school or college program

38:10 The importance of player recommendations coaches receive, espeically from coaches they know

41:00 The value of going to camps and clinics at the schools in which a player has interest

42:14 Recruiting services --- are they worth it?

45:30 The stats / performance metrics that coaches look for the most

49:36 Training activities to engage in to maximize your potential

51:45 Chuck's soapbox - fix the summer tryouts!

52:19 When should players serious about playing at the next level get started on the recruiting process?

Segment 3: The Role of the Club and Coaches in the Process and the Changing Landscape of College Sports

57:25 What role do club and high school coaches ideally play in the recruiting process?

60:00 The recruiting visit process and how to maximize the benefits of official and non-official visits

66:00 The NIL and how it is changing college sports

72:00 Opinions on college showcase events

75:04 The club's role in the recruiting process here at TNT

79:40 Guest contact information for questions and more information about the college recruiting process

82:45 Plans for future podcast discussion of recruiting and wrap-up

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