Ep 28: Nationals Recap & The Road Ahead

In Episode 28, Season 2 of the podcast kicks off at "The Owner's Box" ... i.e. Chuck's house. At the start, Chuck and Brian begin discussing their recent time in Orlando at AAU Nationals with the TNT girls' teams while also wishing the boys' teams who are currently competing there the best of luck. After that, they talk briefly about the quick tunraround from one season to the next before moving forward.

The first segment provides a detailed recap of Nationals for the TNT girls' teams who participated. Segment 2 includes important information about the upcoming open gyms and tryouts for both the girls' and boys' teams plus the new TNT Tryout app that will be in use. The final segment discusses TNT's vision now and moving forward in the local volleyball community. Chuck opens up about the club's desire and ability to provide for the various different experiences that players and their families now want from the club, ranging from the highly competitive to a more casual, introductory-level approach --- and everything in between.

Segment 1: The Nationals Experience (5:55 - 32:24)

• Experiencing the Orange County Convention Center and Keeping the Club Together at the Same Resort
• Overview of the Different Levels of Play at Nationals and How Our Teams Are Scheduled
• Wave 1 Recap (12 and 13U)
• Wave 2 Recap (14U)
• Wave 3 Recap (16 and 16U)
• Wave 4 Recap (15U)
• Thoughts on the New Doubles Rule
• Shouting Out an Opposing Coach at Nationals Who Listens to the Podcast
• Wrapping Up the 24-25 Season: Congratulating All Who Participated at TNT, Best Wishes to Players Moving on To New Chapters, and Hopes for Some Rest and Relaxation for Those Returning in Just a Few Weeks

Segment 2: Plans for the 2025-2026 Season Open Gyms and Tryouts (33:00 - 59:45)

• 12-14U Girls' Tryouts and Open Gyms to Be Held in the Fall
• Upcoming Open Gym Dates and Times for 15-18U Girls
• The Importance of Attending As Many Open Gyms as Possible
• The Schedule for Tryouts and Callbacks for 15-18U Girls 
• How the Club Will Divide the Girls Age Groups into Specific Tryout Sessions
• Referencing Prior Episodes (6, 8, and 17) Where Families Can Learn More About Topics Such as How to Stand Out at Tryouts, The Age Group Debate, How Teams Are Formed, and Handling the Stress of Tryouts
• The Schedule for the Resumption of Open Gyms, Tryouts, and Callbacks for the Boys' Teams Once They Return from Nationals
• Catching Up With Coach Tim Fazio About the New TNT Tryout App

Segment 3: The Girls Club Vision & Various Levels of Play that TNT Offers (60:23 - 94:09) 

• Chuck's Thoughts on Balancing TNT's Growth and Desire to Stay True to the Values the Club Was Built On
• What The Platinum Team Level for 15, 16, and 17U Entails
• Emphasizing the Level of Commitment Expected from Those on Higher Level Teams
• National Team Level and How It Differs From Platinum
• Travel Team Level and Expectations
• The Regional Team Experience and How it Differs From Other Levels
• Plans for the Second Year of the In-House Program
• Chuck's Advice for Families Looking at Choosing a Club
• Episode Wrap-Up