Volleyball

Coaching Staff

Tracy Gaboury

Varsity Coach

Medora Benson

Activities Coordinator

5th/6th Grade Coach

Ashleigh Harris

Volleyball - C Team, Varsity Assistant

Molly Lo

Volleyball

Program Description

5th/6th Grade Team

The St. Croix Prep Volleyball program hopes to offer a 5th/6th grade team annually. This will be largely determined by the number of participants interested in volleyball at these grade levels. A short tryout process will be conducted in order to allow for basic evaluation of starting skill. However, no cuts will be made. Face-to-face meetings will be conducted to communicate team placement and goals. Participants should expect to practice twice a week and play in 5-6 scheduled traveling weekend playdates/tournaments throughout the season. This is an entry-level team with no opportunity to play at the high school level (in accordance with MSHSL rules). The intention of this team is to introduce and teach the players the foundational skills that will help them advance to the next level. Players will be introduced to overhand serving, passing, setting, hitting, and defensive strategies. Players will also complete a character curriculum with the other three program teams. Coaches will attempt to play all players in every match and expose them to multiple positions. However, playing time decisions will also be based on attendance, attitude, and the best interest of the team.

C Team

The C Team will be used as a developmental team for 7th-9th graders. This team will focus on building a strong foundation of fundamental skills. Positions will be assigned as deemed appropriate by the coach. However, players are expected to embrace any role given in order to better the team. Most seasons there will be 10-14 players kept on the C team. Coaches will attempt to play all players in every match and expose them to multiple positions; however, equal playing time is not guaranteed. A three-day tryout process will determine the C team roster. Face-to-face meetings will be conducted to communicate team placements and cuts.

Junior Varsity

The Junior Varsity team will be used to develop players for future varsity matches. This team will focus on continuing to build a strong foundation of fundamental skills and fine-tuning positional skills. For that reason, the JV team will be made up of mostly juniors, sophomores, and freshmen. Occasionally 8th graders will be provided the opportunity to compete on this team if we feel that they have the ability to play at this level. Playing time is not equal for players on the JV team. Some players will be asked to stay on the team with the understanding that they are for the most part going to be “practice players.” These players will still be able to dress and possibly receive court time in games. Even though the “practice players” may not be getting into games, we feel that they will have the opportunity to improve on their skills every day in practice that hopefully puts them in a better position to make a team the following year. JV players will only be provided the opportunity to sit the varsity bench if the varsity coach believes it is the right move to better the individual and varsity team. A three-day tryout process will determine the JV team roster. Face-to-face meetings will be conducted to communicate team placements and cuts.

Varsity

The player limit set by the Minnesota State High School League for Varsity Volleyball is 15 players. This includes any JV players that might be provided the opportunity to sit the bench. However, we will not always carry 15 players on the team. Most seasons there will be 10-14 players listed on the roster. These will be the players that we believe have the ability to play at the varsity level, regardless of their grade in school. No players are guaranteed a spot on the team because they are seniors or because they played on one of our teams in previous seasons. Playing time is not equal for players on the Varsity Volleyball Team. A three-day tryout process will determine the Varsity team roster. Face-to-face meetings will be conducted to communicate team placements and cuts.

Player Expectations

Academic Expectations

Lettering Requirements

Players and team managers that attend practice daily will earn a varsity letter if they dress/assist for 75% of all varsity games. In addition, all athletes must demonstrate strong work ethic, good sportsmanship, and abide by the MSHSL, school, and program rules/values. The coaching staff has the discretion and the right to award or not award varsity letters to players.

Policies

Sportsmanship

Volleyball at the high school level is competitive, educational, and meant to be enjoyed. Behavior that does not reflect this understanding is unacceptable. All coaches, players, parents, and fans are reminded to keep things in perspective while honoring the game of volleyball and the dignity of all persons involved in the playing of the game at all times.

Under Construction

Please note: We are in the process of updating our faculty directory over the summer and thus some information may be out of date.