Welcome to Sky High Girls Volleyball – 2015/2016
Every year many people discover club volleyball for the first time and have many questions. While this will not answer all of them, we hope we can address many of the common questions.
Q. When did Sky High begin and how successful has the program been over the years?
A. Sky High began in 1989 (celebrating our 27th season this year) and we have become one of the largest and most successful programs in the nation. Sky High has won 11 National Championships over the last twelve years. More than 97% of our JO players have received a scholarship to compete at the collegiate level. Most college coaches will tell you Sky High is regarded as one of the most respected programs across the country for its excellence. According to Rick Kern.com, Sky High is ranked #2 in the nation for the most athletes competing at the DI level in college from 1999 to date. Since inception from 1989 to date, Sky High is also ranked #2 in the nation this for the most athletes competing at the collegiate level.
Q. Does my athlete have to attend all tryout dates?
A. Sky High would like the athletes to attend both tryouts as it is certainly to their advantage to be seen as much as possible during the evaluation process. If the athlete is still competing with their high school team they should register and attend the tryouts. Final selections are made during the FINAL tryout for each age group. If you have been selected to compete with Sky High your tryout number will be posted at the end of our final tryout. If you are still competing with your high school, it is very important for you to attend the tryouts however, you will not participate in any physical or skills testing. All junior high and grade school athletes may tryout at any time regardless if they are still competing at their schools. If you are unable to attend any tryout please contact us.
Please note there are two tryouts for all practice locations except for Vernon Hills. There is only one tryout for each age group in Vernon Hills.
Q. What is the difference between Junior Olympic and Regional Teams?
A. Junior Olympic teams compete in more competitive events and compete through mid to late June*. (Early July if the team qualifies for US Jr. Nationals) Ninety to ninety-five percent of the JO events are in the Chicago area, however most JO teams will attend one or two events out of town depending on the age group. Regional teams compete in events located in the Chicagoland area (no more than one hour away) only and the season runs through mid-April. We also offer a spring session for Regional players from mid-April through mid-June. At this time we offer Regional teams in Crystal Lake, Hoffman Estates (Prairie Stone), Palatine (Harper College) and Vernon Hills (Adversity Center) only.
* 18 JO now competes through April due to the shortened season by USA Volleyball.
Q. Should my athlete tryout for Junior Olympic (JO) or Regional?
A. Athletes who wish to compete at the highest level possible and aspire to compete in college should tryout at the JO level. If your athlete attempts to try out for the JO level and the staff feels they are not ready, we will have them try out for Regional.
Q. How do the coaches evaluate the athlete’s during the tryout?
A. Our staff is looking for ATHLETICISM, GOOD ATTITUDE and a strong WORK ETHIC with the younger age groups (14/13/12/11/10). Height and skill are certainly a plus but not required. In addition to the above, athletes in the older age groups (18/17/16/15) are being evaluated for their SKILL.
Q. How many athletes will the club select?
A. Sky High would love to take all athletes but we are limited to space and a certain number of coaches. The number of teams per age group is based on the number of athletes attending the tryout and talent pool available. The JO teams (18/17/16/15) will have no more than TEN athletes per team. The JO 14/13’s, 12/11/10’s and all regional teams will have no more than ELEVEN players however, in most cases there are only TEN per team.
Q. Do you guarantee all athletes to play?
A. There is never a guarantee. You are paying Sky High to train your athlete in practice and they should receive about the same amount of practice as the rest of the team. Your athlete’s court time during tournaments is typically determined by attitude, dependability, work ethic and skill. Players competing on a 12/11/10 or any Regional team will play in a minimum of two sets (games) per tournament as long as there are no issues with the athlete. I.e. following our code of conduct, attending practices, good attitude, etc.
Q. Where do you find the coaches at Sky High?
A. Sky High prides itself on having one of the best coaching staffs in the country. Many of the coaches have been associated with Sky High for many years. Some of the coaches have competed at the collegiate level and some have or are currently coaching at the collegiate or high school level. Sky High believes player’s benefit from the strengths of different coaches. While each coach is assigned a team, players may see other coaches during a practice or tournament to help out as needed or during our “position specific” or “high rep” training. All coaches are Impact certified by USA Volleyball and many are also ASEP (IHSA) and/or CAP (USA) certified.
Q. When will coaches be announced?
A. Many of our coaches are usually announced prior to the first tryout however, sometimes it is impossible to announce all coaches as we first must evaluate the tryout to determine how many teams will be selected. If the coaches for your age group are not announced by the first tryout they will certainly be announced no later than the final tryout.
Q. How often do teams practice?
A. All Regional and 10 teams practice twice per week. The 18/17/16/15/14 JO girl’s teams practice three times per week. The 13 JO and 12/11 teams practice twice per week however, they may practice a third time per week a couple times per month.
Q. Are the players evaluated during the season?
A. All head coaches are responsible to evaluate all of their respective players in writing once per year. If the JO or 12’s coaches believe a second evaluation is necessary they will present the evaluation during the final month of practice.
Q. Where are the practices?
A. Sky High offers teams in five locations. The Sky High Athletic Center in Crystal Lake, Harper College in Palatine, Lake Barrington Fieldhouse in Lake Barrington, Prairie Stone in Hoffman Estates and Adversity in Vernon Hills. There is a one-time tryout fee ($45) regardless of the number of tryouts/locations you attend. If you do not register online you will be charged $75.00 as a “walk in.” You may try out for multiple locations if you are open to more than one practice location. Simply carry your online paid receipt and USA membership card with you to all tryouts and wear the same tryout t-shirt/number.
Q. How long is the season?
A. The Vernon Hills teams begin sooner than all other sites. All VH 14/13/12’s begin the week of October 26. All VH 16/15’s begin the week of November 9. All VH 18/17’s and all other 14/13 JO and 12’s begin the week of November 16. The remaining 15-18 JO and Regional teams begin the week of November 30. 10U, 18 JO and all Regional teams will be done competing in April. All 13-17 JO and 12/11 teams will finish their season sometime in June. Please note any team qualifying for the USA Junior Nationals (Indianapolis, IN.) will attend this event in late June/early July. Please note the 18 JO teams will attend USA Junior Nationals, April 29-May 1 in Milwaukee, WI.
Q. How much travel is involved? (JO Teams only)
A. It depends on the division and age level. All Regional and 10 & under teams will never travel outside of the greater Chicagoland area to compete. Most of the older Jr. Olympic teams (18/17/16/15) are out of town 2 - 3 times not including the US Junior Nationals (must pre-qualify) or AAU Nationals in Orlando, FL. The reason for traveling is to compete against the BEST teams regionally/nationally and to expose the athletes to many college scouts. The 12’s may attend a National Qualifier (overnight) during the year and if they qualify they will attend the US Junior Nationals. The 14/13JO teams will usually attend 1 - 2 out of town events. It has always been the philosophy of Sky High to enter the most competitive events available for all Jr. Olympic age groups to help prepare each team for the next level and give the older (15-18) athlete maximum exposure with college scouts.
Q. Is there any International travel?
A. Beginning this season Sky High will offer an optional trip to compete in a competitive international tournament, JEEP INVITATIONAL in San Juan, Puerto Rico, which will take place in early June. This will be offered to 18/17’s in 2016.
Q. Do any teams compete or practice over Spring Break/Easter?
A. We will be sending JO teams to qualifiers, some of which fall on Spring Break (Indianapolis) and Easter weekend (Chicago Qualifier). Team schedules TBA.
Q. What if my athlete plays multiple sports?
A. Sky High will not turn away a good athlete if they play another “school” sport. We simply ask you turn in a copy of your school practice and competition schedule. If there is a conflict they are excused. We do ask to see some effort on the athlete’s part to attend a portion of the practice and/or tournament assuming there is no major overlap. Sky High does not allow a setter at the 15/16/17/18 JO level to set a “5-1” offense if they play a SPRING sport.
Q. What do the fees (Dues) include?
A. The fees cover much of the fixed costs of playing. Court rental, coaches, equipment, most tournament fees (except travel events and Asics), recruiting liaison (college bound athletes), year membership to “Volleyball Recruits.NET” (15-18JO only), administrative costs and additional costs associated with running the program. Also included are the plyometric, strength, speed and conditioning workouts (13-18 JO only). There are additional fees for uniforms and travel costs (JO and possibly 12 teams only). These costs vary depending on how much your respective team travels. Sky High works very hard to keep these costs to a minimum in an effort to make the sport available to as many athletes as possible. Sky High is one of the least expensive “competitive” programs available across the country.
Q. When are the fees due?
A. All 13-18 JO teams pay in FOUR monthly installments. All other teams pay in three installments. Sky High will ask you for a $300.00 deposit to be paid online prior to the final tryout or by check when you check-in at the final tryout. If your athlete is not selected or you choose not to participate, you must approach the check in desk to pick up your deposit. If you paid online you must also come to the check in desk to inform us your athlete is not participating so we can issue a credit to your credit card. This must be done prior to departing the final tryout. If your athlete is selected and you do not come to the check in desk to advise us your athlete will not be competing your deposit becomes non-refundable. This is due to the fact we are “cutting” other players on your daughter’s behalf and this will secure her position with Sky High.
If your athlete is selected we will also ask the athlete to be fitted for the required jerseys, warm-up, etc. immediately after the final tryout. You must take this information with you and order the required jerseys and warm-up online. This will allow the club to order uniforms and have them delivered on time prior to our first event in January. Once you are finished being fitted for the jerseys, warm-up, etc.; you will be able to purchase any accessory items.
Q. What are the uniform costs?
A. Your uniform costs are always the greatest during your first year with Sky High as we typically do not recycle uniforms from year to year. Sky High only eliminates a uniform item if the manufacturer phases it out. The estimated cost for all new Regional and 12U players is $300.00. Includes: 2 jerseys, 1 warm-up jacket, 2 practice t’s, 1 spandex, 1 pair kneepads, 1 pair socks, 1 volleyball. The estimated cost for all new 13 – 18 JO players is $390.00. Includes everything above plus a third jersey and warm-up pants. If you have any of these items you do not have to purchase.
Q. How will I know if my athlete was selected to compete with Sky High?
A. After each “final” tryout Sky High will post the numbers of each athlete who have been selected to train and compete with the program. Following the final tryout, a short meeting will be conducted with all athletes including their parent(s) and then you will proceed to the designated area to order and try on the uniforms. You will order and pay for your jerseys, warm-up
Q. Are any fundraisers required?
A. No mandatory fundraisers are required however, Sky High does offer some optional fundraisers to help give families an opportunity to defray some of their costs. Many of these fundraisers will be presented during tryouts and/or at our general parent meetings. In addition to these fundraisers many families seek out sponsorships from many of our retailers and companies throughout the community.
Q. What is involved in the general parent meeting?
A. You will receive written instructions at the final tryout regarding the required forms/paperwork for you to complete and turn in at the mandatory parent meeting. These will be printed online prior to the meeting. Please bring all originals and include all signatures. You will need to turn in the completed paperwork at this meeting along with a receipt for your online payment for your first dues installment less your deposit or you may pay by check at this time. You will have the ability to purchase any additional accessory items at this time. Sky High will discuss in detail the expectations, financial commitment, practice and tournament schedules. This is a very important meeting.
If you have any further questions please feel free to contact us during the week at
815-356-0006.
