**Register now for the 2023 fall season! (see link above) **

Our Traveling program is available for 5th grade thru 8th grade girls.  It combines instructional practices and competition.  This league competes against other teams from all over the Twin Cities area. The Traveling league games are held at the Midwest Volleyball Warehouse in Burnsville.

Please Note: Tryouts will be earlier this year to allow for more time for planning and ordering uniforms. Tryouts will be on Tuesday, August 8th at 6:00pm for 5th/6th grade, and on Thursday, August 10th at 6:00pm for 7th/8th grade. They will be located at Drees Performance in Burnsville, and the coaches there will be doing the evaluations. There will be a makeup tryout on Monday, August 14th. You must make one of these dates in order to make a Travel team for the 2023 season.

Practices will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Hidden Oaks Middle School, starting on August 29th. Games will be on the weekends at Midwest Volleyball Warehouse (schedule TBD).

When and where do the Traveling teams practice?

All grades will practice on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at Hidden Oaks Middle School . Practice times will be determined after tryouts.  The official calendar will be published when the season is about to begin. 

When and where do Traveling teams play?

Our traveling teams participate in leagues on weekends at Midwest Volleyball Warehouse, located in Burnsville. Teams play two matches; you will not know the courts and times until the week of scheduled league play. Schedule information for the league can be found here: https://www.northernlightsjuniors.org/events/northern-lights-fall-league/

Are there any tournaments for traveling teams?

Traveling teams do not participate in any tournaments outside of the league games in which they play.  Outside of the High School season, Junior Olympic Volleyball (JOs) is played under the umbrella of the United States Association of Volleyball (USAV). Their season begins in November and can run as late as July. P.L.A.Y offers volleyball in the fall to give kids a chance to try volleyball without making the time and cost commitment necessary to play JO volleyball.  Prior Lake has a JO (Junior Olympic) club that is called Prior Lake Extreme. http://www.priorlakevolleyball.com

What are the fees for the PLAY Traveling Volleyball Program?

The 2023 fee for all traveling teams is $200.00. There will be an additional cost for uniform that will be around $50 after tryouts. 

Any player that does not make a Traveling team through the tryout process can be automatically enrolled in the In House or Middle School program for their appropriate age group.  The difference in cost between the two programs will be returned to the participant in the form of a check by mail. 

If a player does not make the traveling team and then chooses not to participate in the In-House program, the registration fee would be returned minus a PLAY Administrative fee and tryout fee.  Again, this amount will be returned in the form of check by mail. 

How many traveling teams will there be?

The number of Traveling teams is determined by the number of participants, volunteer coaches and available gym space for practices. Teams will have 8-10 players and must have two volunteer coaches. A tryout will be held to place players on the teams. Any child not placed on a team is allowed to join the In-House program, with the difference in fees being refunded.

What do volunteer coaches need to know?

Volunteers need to complete a coach’s application and background check form found on the web site.  Also, please email the Director of Traveling Volleyball about your desire to coach, assist or if you want to co-coach. This is the best way to ensure we know of your intentions to coach your child.

How are the teams selected?

A tryout is held to evaluate player’s skills, coachability, attitude, work ethic and abilities. An independent qualified volleyball coach performs the evaluations and the Traveling Director then places the players on their respective teams. Team rosters will be posted on the PLAY website in the days following the tryouts. 

What are the playing time expectations?

Playing time may not be equal.  The coach will always try to balance playing time by putting players in a position to be successful as well as trying to win.  A match consists of two 25 point games and one 15 point game (if needed). Every player is guaranteed of playing one 25 point game in each match.

What is the format of the league?

5th and 6th grade teams are combined into a 12-and-under league, while 7th and 8th grade teams are combined into a 14-and-under league. 

Can parents watch the tryouts?

Parents will NOT be allowed to watch the tryouts. The players are nervous enough and we have found that having to look over at mom or dad during the tryouts seems to hinder their concentration.

Are uniforms included in the registration cost?

No, the registration fees will not include a uniform. Once a player makes a travel team, they will be expected to order a uniform online (estimate of $50 for a top quality shirt and shorts).

Midwest Volleyball Warehouse Participant Release of Liability

Northern Lights Communicable Disease Waiver of Liability

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