Tryout FAQ’s

Why can’t Northern Lights hold its tryout on a different date?

Northern Lights is the oldest running club in the Region and has always held its tryouts on the first available date permitted by the Region and the MSHSL. This year that date is October 29 for age groups 10’s-14’s and November 12 for age groups 15’s-18’s. Our tryout dates were set and given to the Region for publication in August. We have no control over other clubs choosing to run their tryouts on the same day that we have traditionally used.

What if I come late or leave early?

In order to protect the rights and interests of all players at the tryouts, Northern Lights will make its decisions about the teams based on who is at the tryout at the time the decisions are made.  This means that if you come late it may already be done. If you leave early without signing the USAV Binding Commitment Letter we will understand this to mean that you are not interested in playing with Northern Lights.  We have no other choice but to enforce this since a player’s attendance or lack of it affects other players and their decisions.

Can I “play down” because of the new age definitions?

The new age date cutoffs were established by USA Volleyball for the 2021 season to help eliminate the problem of players being forced to play outside of their normal grade level.

The intent of the rule is to keep most players grouped by grade.  It is not the intent of the rule to allow or encourage players to play at a lower age level than their normal grade level would permit.

Northern Lights does not intend to allow players to participate in lower age divisions.  Please register for the age division in which your daughter meets both the grade and birthday requirements as per the registration page.

Can I tryout for a higher age level team?

We have a policy on allowing players to “play up” an age group. You can read it by clicking here.

Northern Lights teams are always at the top of their age division nationally.  Because of this we encourage all players to stay in their respective age divisions.  If a player wants to tryout in a higher age level, they should first contact our office to discuss this.  Generally players who tryout in a higher age level must be “impact” players at that higher age level, or we will not select them.  Players who tryout for a higher age level run the risk of not being selected for the higher age level, and then by that time the lower age level is already selected and full.  (It is not possible for us to wait until a higher age level is completed before selecting a lower age level as this is unfair to the lower age players and we would be there all day & night.)

I am a 7th/8th grader who is currently playing high school volleyball during the tryout.  Can I still tryout for Northern Lights?

Tryouts for 10’s – 14’s take place after all high school teams except varsity are done for the season.  If you are a 7th/8th grader who is listed on your school’s varsity roster AND your varsity team is still playing in sections or state, please e-mail us at northernlights@midwestvolleyball.com to let us know.  You will still be required to be present at the October 29, 2023 tryout date.

I am an 18’s player this year.  How do tryouts work for me?

18’s are allowed to sign their 2024 commitment letter as early as August 1, 2023.  Because of this, the number of 18’s teams we offer will be fixed pretty early.  We also expect those teams to fill early as well.  If you are 18 and want to play for Northern Lights, please send an e-mail to northernlights@midwestovlleyball.com to inquire.  18’s players are still expected to attend the November 12, 2023 tryout date mainly for paperwork and sizing of gear.

I am going to be gone on October 29th or November 12th, can I tryout early?

With the new signing of the USAV Binding Commitment Letter, we need to have all players at the tryout for their age group. North Country Region rules do not permit the Commitment Letter to be signed prior to October 29th or November 12th depending on your age division. Thus there is no time “earlier” for a tryout.

I am going to be gone on October 29th or November 12th, can I tryout after that date?

Northern Lights will be selecting its athletes on October 29th and November 12th.  All players selected will be required to sign the USAV Binding Commitment Letter so we will know the status of each of our teams by the end of tryouts.  At that time we may or may not have space available on a team.  If space is available in the club we will be happy to schedule you for a tryout.

Do my parents need to be at the entire tryout?

Any player under the age of 18 who is selected must have a parent/legal guardian available at the time of selection to sign the required paperwork.  Without a parent/legal guardian there to sign the papers we will not be able to accept you for a team.  This year players will be selected at various times during the tryouts starting as quickly as 1 hour after the start of tryouts.

Parents will not be permitted to view the tryouts.  Parents will need to wait outside in their car until called by their daughter to come in and sign forms.

What is needed at the tryout?

A print-out of your registration form.  We require online payment before the tryout, so it should be marked “PAID”.  Wear appropriate volleyball gear and bring a water bottle for the tryout itself.  If you are selected, you will be asked to make a deposit for the season and fill out quite a few forms – bring a checkbook and the players’ medical insurance card with you.

How many players will be on a team?

We attempt to have 10 players on each team.  Depending on the skill levels that number can vary to as low as 9 and as high as 11, but our goal is always 10.  We want each player to have a good experience and loading a team with more than 10 players can have a negative impact.  So if our teams are full with 10 players after our tryout, it is unlikely that we will accept additional players unless they were to fill a very specific role.  We also will not run a team with less than 9 players, we know from experience that problems will result.  This means that if on the tryout date not enough players commit a team may not be formed at certain age levels.

How often and when do the teams practice? How often do the teams play?

Northern Lights Teams will practice 2 – 4 times per week.  The schedule will vary depending on the team, court availability, and coach’s schedule.  A practice schedule will be available after tryouts.  Generally our teams practice on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from either 5:30-7:30pm or 7:30-9:30 pm.  Our 18-1, 17-1, 16-1, & 15-1 teams may have fewer practices on weeknights and an additional practice on Saturday. We do understand that many players in grades 7, 8, & 9 have confirmation on Wednesday nights, so we do our best not schedule practice for most of those age levels on Wednesdays.  All practices will be held at Midwest Volleyball Warehouse in Burnsville. Tournaments will be held approximately 2-3 weekends a month.  The season runs through the end of May for younger players, and through June for older players. All players who are on teams that play in National Qualification events are required to be in attendance at those events.

I am a multiple-sport athlete and I participate in other activities outside of club volleyball, can I still play for Northern Lights?

Playing for Northern Lights will require athletes to commit and work hard throughout the entire club season. Missing excessive practices or competition days may have an adverse effect your growth and development as a player and is not optimal for your team.  Many of our athletes are committed to additional sports and activities and have still found a way to successfully participate in our club program. Our coaches and club philosophy will continue to support players who participate in multiple sports – however it is up to those players to be able to maintain their volleyball development and support their team.

My high school banquet conflicts with a Northern Lights practice.  What should I do?

We encourage all players to attend their high school banquets.  As a club we have expectations that our players will follow through with commitments to their club team, and this should be reflected in their decision to attend their high school banquet as well. If you miss a practice due to your high school banquet, it will not influence team placement decisions or playing time.

On the website it says it is possible for me to tryout only for a Red, White or Xenon team (less cost/lower travel teams).  How do I communicate to you that this is what I want?

The best way to communicate this to us is by emailing the Northern Lights office (northernlights@midwestvolleyball.com) sometime the week before the tryout.  You can also tell us at the tryout itself by saying something to someone at the registration desk.

With the returning players from last year, is there really room for me?

Every year, approximately 25-33% of the players are brand new to the club.  These new players can be found across all age groups.