U13 TRAVEL TEAM VISION
Vienna Elite will be fielding a team of (11 or 12)* highly skilled U13 players. It is open to U12 or U13 players who are selected by the coaches at tryouts.
Our program is expected to be one of the most rigorous training programs in the Region. The team is expected to be competitive in selected multi-day tournaments and local CHRVA tournaments (Refer to the tentative schedule below).
The U13 team is expected to practice twice per week. Practices will be followed by 45 minute fitness/conditioning after practice on Wednesdays (starting 11/12 - ending 3/25). During the training months of November and December, as well as on non-tournament weekends from January through May, the Club may also hold "Academy," which will focus on specific skills (i.e., serving, passing, setting, team defense, etc). The academy will be run by special instructors or by Vienna Elite coaches.
Our club strives to be the best club in Northern Virginia when considering the competitiveness of teams, the level of coaching, the club fees, the number of tournaments, and overall access to court time. Our players love to play volleyball and want to compete at a high level!
* At the discretion of the club, 1 or 2 "practice players" will be considered depending on the circumstances of the team. Practice players will not participate in any matches or tournaments unless specifically called upon by the Head Coach.
U13 Travel Team Fees - $5,500
COACHES
BOB ABLES, CO-HEAD COACH
Bob Abels (USAV IMPACT and CAP I Certified) has played volleyball for 30 years competing in professional beach tournaments, open six man tournaments against national team players as well as winning gold, silver and bronze medals in the World Police and Fire games while representing Customs and Border Protection in international events in Australia, Sweden, Canada and the United States. After a 30 year career with CBP he retired in 2011, turning down the world of consulting to coach volleyball, first becoming the assistant volleyball coach for the junior varsity team at Bishop O’Connell in 2013. In 2015 he was asked to coach the first frosh team formed by Bishop O'Connell while still helping with the Junior Varsity and the Varsity teams.
Almost twelve seasons ago Coach Bob started with Vienna Elite as a floater coach but shared in the duties as U13-2 Head Coach before the season was over. The following season he took over the U13 co-Head Coaching responsibilities with Pat Hogan. Fast forward a few years and the first two 13 teams he coached has produced four All Met first team players, one state player of the year, six state champions and two AVCA high school national team second and third team players. Six of the first nine players from the first year went on to play college volleyball as frosh in 2021. Those first players he is most proud of, but other players have gone on to compete at Colorado State, Vanderbilt, Georgetown and Connecticut.
Last year for the first time in school history Bishop O'Connell won the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAC) as well as the VISAA state championship. It doesn't matter whether it is coaching high schoolers or those just beginning the sport Coach Bob enjoys coaching regardless of the player's skill.
Coach Bob believes in combining the two most important elements for why we compete in sports - to win and to have fun while doing it. Contact: bob.abels@viennaelite.org
PAT HOGAN, CO-HEAD COACH
Pat Hogan (USAV IMPACT and CAP I Certified) has been coaching volleyball for more than 30 years. He started coaching as an assistant at San Diego Mesa College (1980-86). During this time, the team was Pacific Coast Conference Champions twice ('82-'84) and was ranked #1 in the state for most of the '84 season. After three years at Division I University of San Diego (87-'89), Pat returned to Mesa College in 1990. After assisting his first year back, Pat was appointed Co-Head coach ('91-'97). During this time, Mesa College finished in the top three in conference, was conference champs three times ('92, '94, and '97), and made playoffs every season. (Fourth in state at the California Community College State Championships in 1994).
In 1986, Pat started coaching with Mt. Carmel High School boys' varsity. He was with the program for 19 seasons. When boys' volleyball became an official sport in 1988, Mt. Carmel made the playoffs every season, winning three California Interscholastic Federation Division 1 Championships ('96,'03, and '04). He specialized in training the setters, several of whom earned postseason honors (All-Palomar League and All-C.I.F.) During this time, Pat coached college All-American, indoor Olympian ('96,'00), and AVP beach player John Hyden.
Pat has also coached at the club level. At San Diego Volleyball Club, he coached with the boys' program ('89 - '96 ), placing 9th at the Long Beach Festival in 1992, coaching the 14-1 team. Pat also coached at Epic VBC ('04-'08) in their local program and camps.
Pat has coached at Vienna since 2015 and has spent the majority of his time with the U13s with Coach Bob.
Since 2011, Pat has coached at Bishop O'Connell High School in Arlington. He is currently a varsity assistant coach.
Contact: pat.hogan@viennaelite.org
SCHEDULES
U13 BLUE PRACTICE SCHEDULE (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)
| Days | Location | Time | Event | Notes | Conflicts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mondays | The Nzone 14550 Lee Rd, Chantilly, VA 20151 | 5:30pm to 7:30pm | Team Practice | First Practice 11/10 | Practice on 12/22 - TBD |
| Wednesdays | The Nzone 14550 Lee Rd, Chantilly, VA 20151 | 5:30pm to 7:15pm | Team Practice | No practice on 11/26, 12/24, 12/31 | |
| Wednesdays | The Nzone 14550 Lee Rd, Chantilly, VA 20151 | 7:15pm to 8pm | Fitness & Conditioning | Starts on 11/12, Ends on 3/25 | No training on 11/26, 12/24, 12/31 |
| Saturdays | The Nzone 14550 Lee Rd, Chantilly, VA 20151 | TBD | Additional Skills Training | 11/22, 12/6, 12/13 |
TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
| DATE | TOURNAMENT | LOCATION | DIVISION | STATUS | NOTES/COMMENTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 17, 18, 19 | Volley by The James | Richmond, VA | Club | Accepted | |
| January 24, 25 | AAU Blizzard Blast & Boys ECPL Grand Prix | Virginia Beach, VA | Club | Accepted | |
| February 14, 15, 16 | Capitol Hill Classic | Washington, DC (Convention Center | |||
| February 21, 22 | The St. James & Boys ECPL | Springfield, VA (TSJ) | Club | Accepted | |
| March 14, 15 | Shamrock Showdown | Springfield, VA (TSJ) | Club | Waitlisted | |
| Or | |||||
| March 14 | Vienna Elite 13 Mixed | Chantilly, VA | Mixed | ||
| March 21 | CHRVA Regionals (Open Bid) | TBD | Must Qualify | ||
| Or | |||||
| March 29 | Vienna Elite 13 Mixed | Manassas,VA | Mixed | TBD - Spring Break | |
| April 3, 4, 5 | NEQ 13 | Philadelphia, PA (PA Convention Center) | American | Pending | Spring Break |
| April 25 | Vienna Elite 13 Mixed | Rockville, MD (Rockville Sportsplex) | Mixed | ||
| May 9, 10 | ACPL Championships | Richmond, VA | Club | Accepted | |
| May 23, 24, 25 | East Coast Championships | Pittsburgh, PA (Convention Center) | Select | Accepted | |
| Optional TBD | |||||
| June 18 - 28 (4 days - TBD) | AAU Nationals for 13's | Orlando, FL | Club | ||
| Or | |||||
| June 25 - July 3 (4 days - TBD) | GJNC - USAV Nationals | Indianapolis, IN | TBD | Must Qualify | Priority if Bid Awarded |
NOTES TO ABOVE SCHEDULE
In addition to the above, it is possible that 2 or more local 1-day tournaments may be added to the schedule.
U13 Travel Team Coaches will determine if team will participate in AAU Nationals in Orlando in mid March.