FAQ

How did Highlands get started and what are the clubs values?

Highlands Volleyball Club introduced its first team in 1995. Our mission was to teach girls sportsmanship, kindness, dedication, and competitiveness while having fun playing the game. We have always found value in building lifelong friendships with teammates, families, and coaches; over 25 years later, this is still the mission!

Highlands VBC is devoted to fostering each player that enters our gym and to help them achieve their maximum potential as participants in the sport of volleyball. These skills will help them grow individually as well as a team when they return to their regular school seasons.

 

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What age groups does your club offer?

For the 2021-2022 season Highlands is expected to host 12U through 17U. The club intends to have one team in each age group but adjustments may be made depending on the interest level.

 

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How many girls are on a team at each age level?

Highlands recognizes that playing time is a significant factor when picking a club. Highlands’s teams will limit the total number of players per team to 9 to ensure that players are getting ample playing time.

 

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Can I play other sports while playing for Highlands Volleyball Club?

Highlands feels that it’s important for all of our athletes to be well-rounded. We know that the best athletes play multiple sports and we encourage this. Athletes are permitted to put high school sports as their first priority. Highlands’s practices are scheduled so that athletes can participate in their high school sports and also for Highlands. We ask that any conflicts are presented to the team’s coach as soon as possible.

 

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Are practices mandatory?

We expect everyone to know that if an athlete wants to improve then they need to come to practice. Rather than making practices mandatory, we are offering a ‘Participation Credit’. This means that any player that attends all practices and tournaments offered to her at her age level will receive a reimbursement for any summer camp or clinic that they wish to attend. The amount of this reimbursement will vary per age and will be discussed in detail at the parents' meeting held prior to the start of the club season.

 

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How long is the club season?

The club tryouts are at the end of October and early November. Teams are picked then notified by mid-November. Practice begins the first Sunday in December. The length of the season will vary by age group, but generally, everyone will play into April with some exceptions for the older groups. This timeframe allows athletes to participate in spring sports as well as provides a much-needed break before high school volleyball programs start back up in the summer.

 

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When and where do you practice?

Practices are Sunday afternoon to early evening depending on the age group. Sunday practices will be held at Somerset High School. A second practice will be offered on a weekday evening. The evening will vary based on age. Second practices and any time Somerset High School is not available then the club has the ability to utilize gymnasiums at Berlin Brothersvalley High School, Somerset Lutheran Church and Rockwood High School.

 

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Do practices and tournament cancel when there is bad weather?

The club recognizes that we have players from all different areas and that the weather in one area might be worse than in another area. Each player and parent should make the decision on whether it is safe for them to travel to a practice or tournament. With that said, it is rare for practices to cancel. In the event that a practice is canceled then your coach would notify you of any cancelations. The club has yet to have a tournament cancel. The club asks that if you can’t make it to a practice or tournament due to weather that you communicate that to the coach as quickly as possible.

 

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What does it cost to play for Highlands Volleyball Club?

The costs to play for Highlands will vary for each age group. The cost ranges from $200 to $600. The price includes two jerseys, spandex, sports bag, warm-up (or equivalent apparel), tournaments fees, facility rental fees, and insurance. Payment plans will be available for all players and will be discussed in further detail after being placed on a team.

 

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Does the club offer fundraising to help offset the cost to play?

Yes. The specific fundraising opportunities will be discussed at the parents' meeting held for each age group. In general, the club will offer both traditional food fundraisers and small games of chance fundraisers.

 

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Where are the tournaments, how many tournament does each team play, and are there any overnight tournaments?

The one-day tournaments are generally within 1 to 2 hours from the Somerset area. The club will try to host at least one home tournament per age group. Home tournaments are either at Somerset High School or Berlin High School.

The number of tournaments depends on the age group. For example, 12U could play four tournaments, 13U/14U might play five tournaments and 15U/16U/17U might play six. These are approximate and can be adjusted based on the team.

Each age group will be offered the chance to participate in at least one overnight tournament. Older age groups will have the opportunity to play in more overnight tournaments. These tournaments provide an opportunity for the players to grow together as a team off the court. Overnight tournaments provide memories that last a lifetime!

 

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How will the club notify parents of important information?

This website in addition to the club’s Facebook page will be the two tools utilized to notify you of club happenings. Once teams are formed your coach might also use text message or the remind app to share team information.

 

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Who will be my coach?

We have an amazing group of coaches that are excited to work with each player that enters our gym! Please check out the Coaches Page for a biography on each coach.

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