Had something similar happen with rec volleyball. Girls went to a camp in Jacksonville and the program needed coaches to help out so their rec coach went. Long story short, he was invited to bring a team to some of their rec tournaments. Figured it would be a good experience for the girls who wanted to do it. Paid the fees, ordered jerseys, etc. it was going to be four one day tournaments. Went to the first one (one other rec team from Orlando was also invited, in a separate bracket). We were playing 17u, oldest girl on our squad was 15, youngest was 13 (they had been playing up a level for a year or two). Needless to say, both of the out of town teams destroyed every local team (one of my kids matches was 25-3, 25-5, 15-2) A month goes by, coach reached out Wednesday prior to the next tournament to see if he can get the schedule. Turns out the other coaches said if the two out of town teams were coming, they wouldn’t show so we were ‘disinvited’ and a check was in the mail for the remaining fees.