A: $50 for Established Teams + A season roster 8 Minimum 15 Maximum
B: $150 for New Teams + A season roster 8 Minimum 15 Maximum
*This membership does not include entry into Division or VLA Cups
New Teams also must submit
6) Social Media - All Teams must have an official Instagram Page (Facebook is also recommended)
C: Purchase a Minimum of a Level 2 AAU Club Membership - https://play.aausports.org/ClubLevels.aspx
A: Prior to the team's first competition a registered team must enter an 8 minimum 15 Maximum player roster
B: Tier 2 teams are allowed to have a maximum of 3 players that were on a Tier 1 Roster during the 2023 season at any time until the new Tier 1 Rosters are submitted in January 2024.
C: Once a roster is submitted the roster is locked. If a roster requires any changes they can be unlocked for a $25 roster update fee
D: There are no limitations on roster changes. (This does not include Divisional or VLA Cup guidelines.)
A: Once a Tier 1 player plays on a Tier 2 team, they are locked between both teams.
Example, Lloy Ball plays on Team Pineapple in Tier 1, he joins Midwest MAK for a Tier 2 event, he cannot play on another Tier 2 for the duration of the season.
B: If Players do not play 1, they are able to play on multiple Tier 2 Teams without sacrificing eligibility for Tier 2 Championships
A: A player is only eligible for 1 Championship, either Tier 1 or Tier 2
B: Tier 2 Teams are only allowed a max of 3 Tier 1 players for Championships
C: All Tier 1 players must have played on the Tier 2 team and been on their official roster at some point during the 2023/24 Season.
D: 1 International Player rule applies. 1 player can come back from overseas and play in the Tier 2 Championships without previously playing on the Tier 2 Team during season.
If an International player is used, that player will be considered 1 of the 3 Tier 1 players.
*International player must be designated by May 1st, 2024
Eligible Tier 2 Teams
A: Official VLA Tier 2 Match (Best Of 5)
B: Teams are allowed to player other a maximum of 2 times in a single match event format for points.
(If teams play against each other in an Open/Invitation/Round Robin Event, it does not effect the point value of a Tier 2 Single Match Event)
C: Match Value is 1 point to the Winning Team regardless of set score.
D: All Matches must be live streamed to the VLA YouTube Channel
B: Teams are allowed to play each other a maximum of 2 times in a single match event format for points.
The host team is required to manage all expenses unless openly agreed upon by both competing teams.
F: Both teams may split the Ref Fees, Court Fees or other production fees, they are not allowed to charge competition fees.
Eligible Tier 2 and Tier 1 Teams
A: Standard 1-Day 3-Match Event (Matches Best of 5)
B: Each team will play each other once
C: Each match has a point value of 1 to the Winning Team regardless of set score or Tier status
D: Tier 1 Teams will not be able to receive any points as these matches will be considered "Exhibitions" and not official
E: If a Tier 2 Team defeats a Tier 1 team in a 3 Team Round Robin Event, no "bonus" point will be awarded, the point value remains "1".
F: All Matches must be live streamed to the VLA YouTube Channel
G: Teams hosting a 3 Team Round Robin Event are NOT allowed to charge the opposing teams a competition fee.
The host team is required to manage all expenses unless openly agreed upon by all competing teams.
H: All teams may split the Ref Fees, Court Fees or other production fees, they are not allowed to charge a competition fee.
Tier 1 and Eligible Tier 2 Teams Only
A: Host Team decides the teams and the tournament format
B: Points awarded based off of the amount of Tier 1 and Tier 2 teams participating
C: Points awarded for overall tournament place, not per match
D: Max Points awarded is 10 (5 - 1st, 3 - 2nd, 2 - 3rd)
E: Tournament must have at least 1 Live Stream Court that streams matches to the VLA YouTube Channel
F: Teams hosting an Inviation Tournament are allowed to charge a tournament entry fee
G: No money from the entry fee will go to the VLA, the Entry Fee will go completely to the host team for tournament expenses.
All Teams Welcome
A: Host decides tournament format
B: Points awarded based off of the amount of Tier 1 and 2 Teams Particiapting
C: Points awarded for overall tournament place, not per match
D: Max Points awarded is 10 (5 - 1st, 3 - 2nd, 2 - 3rd)
E: Tournament must have at least 1 Live Stream Court that streams to the VLA YouTube Channel
F: Teams hosting an Open Tournament are allowed to charge a tournament entry fee
G: No money from the entry fee will go to the VLA, the Entry Fee will go completely to the host team for tournament expenses.
1: Host Tier 2 Teams are required to submit a "Competition Request" to the VLA Board and Director of Operations - vince.zanzucchi@usavla.com
2: The Competition Request will require submission of Event Format, Teams competing, Date of Competition, proof of facility usage for competition.
Note - the VLA will not provide any funding for Tier 2 Competition such as Ref Fees, Court Fees or Other
3: After VLA approves, Host Team will submit $25 per eligible match fee. Example: a 3 Team Round Robin is 3 eligible matches coming to $75 event fee
All matches must be approved 30 days prior to the event. If a match is scheduled within the 30 day window the individual match fee will rise from $25 to $100.
Open Tournament and Invitational Tournament fees are a set $50 prior to the 30 day window and $200 within the 30 day window.
4: Once the date of a competition is scheduled, that date is locked for that competition and must not be changed by the host.
5: Once the VLA Board approves the Competition Request, the event will be placed on the schedule and it is the Tier 2 Host responsibility to ensure the production of the event.
6: The VLA will provide promotional material such as graphics and social media posts to attract viewers to the event.
7: It is the responsibility of the Host team to run their event in a profitable manner. This is the structure throughout the entire league from Tier 1 on down.
The VLA considers the ability of Tier 2 Teams to host adequate events before offering a Tier 2 team promotion to Tier 1 after qualification requirements are met.
8: Failure to run the event properly such as having ineligible rosters, live stream issues, unapproved jerseys will result in no points being rewarded and no event refunds given.
Host
Accepting Applications
Location
TBD
Dates
Sept/Oct
Awarded
Top 2 Highest Finishing Teams that is not prequalified for West Division Cup will earn entry
Host
Accepting Applications
Location
TBD
Dates
Oct/Nov
Awarded
Top 2 Highest Finishing Teams that is not prequalified for Central Division Cup will earn entry
Host
Accepting Applications
Location
TBD
Dates
Nov/Dec
Awarded
Top 2 Highest Finishing Teams that is not prequalified for East Division Cup will earn entry
Host
San Diego Wave
Tier 1 Teams
West Division
Location
Del Mar, CA
Tentative Dates
January 20-21st
Max Teams
12
Qualified Teams:
2 West Division Tier 1 Teams, 1 Host Team, 7 Top Tier 2 Teams and 2 Top Teams from the West Division Qualifier
Host
TBD
Tier 1 Teams
Central Division
Location
TBD
Tentative Dates
March 12
Max Teams
12
Qualified Teams:
3 Central Division Tier 1 Teams, 7 Top Tier 2 Teams and 2 Top Teams from the Central Division Qualifier
Host
TBD
Tier 1 Teams
East Division
Location
TBD
Tentative Dates
April
Max Teams
12
Qualified Teams:
3 East Division Tier 1 Teams, 7 Top Tier 2 Teams and 2 Top Teams from the East Division Qualifier
Host
TBD
Tier 1 Teams
All Tier 1
Location
TBD
Tentative Dates
May
Max Teams
Cap TBD
Qualified Teams:
All Teams are invited, however, in the case of limited capacity due to the facility we are using, we will take the top teams by overall ranking to fill the event.
Host
Top Team as of 4/1
Tier 1 Teams
NONE
Location
TBD
Tentative Dates
June
Max Teams
4
Qualified Teams:
Top team in each of the 3 Divisions. If a Division Leader declines then the spot is succeeded to the next highest Tier 2 team regardless of Division.
A) Tier 2 rankings do not reset and are continuous year to year as Tier 2 teams pursue promotion to Tier 1
- Tier 2 teams lose their ranking and accolades if they earn Promotion and do not accept.
B) Tier 2 season is an entire calendar year even though the Tier 2 Championships are in June/July
A: Points are earned per match victory during a Divisional/VLA Cup:
4 - points awarded for a best of 5 victory in 3/4 sets VS Tier 1 Team
3 - points awarded for a best of 5 victory in 5 sets VS Tier 1 Team
3 - points awarded for a best of 5 victory in 3/4 sets VS Tier 2 Team
2 - points awarded for a best of 5 loss in 5 sets VS Tier 1 Team
2 - points awarded for a best of 3 victory VS Tier 1 Team
1 - point awarded for a best of 5 loss in 5 sets VS Tier 2 Team
1 - point awarded for a best of 3 victory VS Tier 2 Team
B: Points earned for a Tier 2 Match or Round Robin Event
1 - point awarded for a match victory in any Tier 2 Match or Round Robin Event
- only the first 2 matches between the same 2 competing team will be of point value
- all matches after the first 2 matches between the same 2 competing teams will still result in official W/L records
C: Tournament points are earned for placing in a Tier 2 Tournament
The point value of a tournament is based on the amount of verified VLA Teams registered (Max - 10PTS
2 - Points valued per Tier 1 Team Participating
1 - Points valued per Tier 2 Team Participating
1) Cup Victories
2) Points
3) Total Wins
4) Tier 1 Wins
5) Sets Won
1 VLA Team
1 Points - 1st Place = 1 Points
2 VLA Teams
2 Points - 1st Place = 2 Points
3 VLA Teams
3 Points - 1st Place = 2 Points, 2nd Place = 1 Point
4 VLA Teams
4 Points - 1st Place = 3 Points, 2nd Place = 1 Point
5 VLA Teams
5 Points - 1st Place = 3 Points, 2nd Place = 2 Points
6 VLA Teams
6 Points - 1st Place = 3 Points, 2nd Place = 2 Points, 3rd Place = 1 Point
7 VLA Teams
7 Points - 1st Place = 4 Points, 2nd Place = 2 Points, 3rd Place = 1 Point
8 VLA Teams
8 Points - 1st Place = 4 Points, 2nd Place = 3 Points, 3rd Place = 1 Point
9 VLA Teams
9 Points - 1st Place = 4 Points, 2nd Place = 3 Points, 3rd Place = 2 Points
10+ VLA Teams
10 Points - 1st Place = 5 Points, 2nd Place = 3 Points, 3rd Place = 2 Points
VLA Tier 1 Teams can place in a tournament but cannot win points.
VLA Tier 1 Points are passed down to the next placed team.
Example - Team LVC finishes 1st in a Tier 2 Open and NY Pride finishes 2nd, the 1st place points are awarded to NY Pride and 2nd Place points are awarded to the 3rd place team.
If a non VLA Team places, points are not earned yet the points are not passed on to other tier 2 teams
Example - NY Pride finishes 2nd in a Tier 2 Open behind a non VLA Team, NY Pride will only receive 2nd Place Points and will not gain 1st point place if they non VLA Team chooses not to accept them.
If a non VLA Team places in a Tier 2 Open earning VLA Points, they have the option for up to one year to officially enter as a Tier 2 Team and claim their points.
Price
$2,200
Tournaments
VLA Cup and All 3 Division Cups
Payment Breakdown
1st Cup - $750
2nd Cup - $750
Price
$1,950
Tournaments
VLA Cup and 2 Division Cups
Payment Breakdown
3rd Cup - $450
4th Cup - $350
Price
$1,500
Tournaments
VLA Cup and 1 Division Cup
Payment Breakdown
VLA Cup only - $850
Price
$850
Tournaments
VLA Cup $750
Payment Breakdown
1 Division Cup
Host
San Diego Wave
Tier 1 Teams
Rising Tide, Ascension
Location
Del Mar, California
Date*
Jan 21-22nd
Max Teams
12
Max Teams subject to change based on location
Host
Chicago Icemen
Tier 1 Teams
Icemen, Pineapple, Sweed
Location
Cincinnati, Ohio
Date*
March 16-17th
Max Teams
12
Max Teams subject to change based on location
Host
New York Team LVC
Tier 1 Teams
NE Force, LVC, Bounce
Location
Albany, New York
Date*
April 6-7th
Max Teams
12
Max Teams subject to change based on location
Host
VLA
Tier 1 Teams
All
Location
Madison, Wisconsin
Date*
May 10-12th
Max Teams
Unlimited
Max Teams subject to change based on location
Host
Top Team as of 4/1
Tier 1 Teams
Top Team in Each Division
Location
TBD
Date*
June
Max Teams
4
Max Teams subject to change based on location
Tier 2 Championship Teams are selected from the top teams in each division for the 2023/24 Season, not by collective points overall points.
1: Tier 2 Teams are eligible for promotion to Tier 1 after meeting current division requirements.
East Division Promotion for winning 3 Cups or Earning 100 Points
Central Division Promotion for winning 3 Cups or Earning 100 Points
West Division Promotion for winning 3 Cups or Earning 50 Points
Promotion point goals are progressive
2: Points are earned per match victory.
4 - points awarded for a best of 5 victory in 3/4 sets VS Tier 1 Team
3 - points awarded for a best of 5 victory in 5 sets VS Tier 1 Team
3 - points awarded for a best of 5 victory in 3/4 sets VS Tier 2 Team
2 - points awarded for a best of 5 loss in 5 sets VS Tier 1 Team
1 - point awarded for a best of 5 loss in 5 sets VS Tier 2 Team
1 - point awarded for a best of 3 victory VS Tier 2 Team
3: Points and Cup Victories are tallied cumulatively throughout a Club's participation in the VLA.
4: Rankings and Points will carry over to following seasons giving tenured Tier 2 teams a better opportunity to earn promotion
Rankings are reset if a Tier 2 team is offered promotion to Tier 1 and denies promotion
5: Ranking determined by:
Cup Victories
Points
Total Wins
Total Tier 1 Wins
Total Tier 2 Wins
