Girls Club FAQs
Every year many people discover club volleyball and have many questions. While this will not answer all of them, we hope we can address many of the common questions.
Sky High Girls Volleyball – 36th Season (Est. 1989)
TRYOUTS FOR THE GIRLS 2024-25 SEASON WILL BE ON SATURDAY, JULY 20th in CRYSTAL LAKE and LIBERTYVILLE.
Q. When did Sky High begin and how successful has the program been over the years?
Sky High began in 1989 and we have become one of the largest and most successful programs in the nation. Sky High has won 12 National Championships over the last sixteen 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 for it's excellence and is one of the most respected programs in the country. According to Rich Kern.com, Sky High is ranked #2 in the nation for the most athletes competing at the DI level in college from 1989 to date.
Q. What is the difference between Junior Olympic and Regional Teams?
A. Junior Olympic teams compete in more competitive events and compete through mid-June. (Early July if your team qualifies for USA Nationals). Ninety percent of the JO events are in the Chicago area, however most JO teams will attend 1 - 3 National Qualifiers depending on the age group. Please note our players are not required to stay overnight at the Windy City Qualifier in Chicago. Regional teams compete in events located in the Chicagoland area (no more than one hour away) and the season runs through mid-April. We also offer a spring session for Regional players from late April/early May through mid-June. This year we will offer Regional teams in Crystal Lake, Palatine and Libertyville.
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 tryout for the JO level and the staff feels they are not ready, we will request they try out for the Regional program.
Q. What is the Registration fee?
A. There is a one-time registration fee ($45). If you are open to more than one location, you may try out for multiple sites within the Sky High program. Simply carry your paid receipt and USA membership card with you to all tryouts and wear the same tryout t-shirt/number throughout the tryout process.
Q. Is a deposit required?
A. After your athlete is selected to a program, a $500.00 deposit will secure your athletes position with the club. The deposit will be deducted from the total "DUES" for the season.
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 in our youth age groups (14/13/12/11/10). In addition to the above, athletes in the 15/16/17/18 age groups are being evaluated for their SKILL.
Q. How many athletes will the club select?
A. Sky High would like to accept all athletes however, our space is limited. The number of teams per age group is based on the number attending the tryout and talent pool available. No team will have more than 12 players however, many will have 10 or 11.
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. Your athlete's court time in tournaments is determined by their attitude, dependability, work ethic and skill. Players competing on a 10/11/12 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, attitude, etc. This rule does not apply to any National Qualifier, 3 day Major Event or USA/AAU/JVA Nationals.
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 our coaches have been associated with Sky High for many years. Some 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 receive instruction from additional coaches during a practice or tournament to help out as needed or during our “position specific” training. All coaches are Impact and Safesport certified by USA Volleyball and many are also ASEP (IHSA) and/or CAP (USA) certified.
Q. How often do teams practice?
A. All Regional and 12/11/10 teams practice twice per week. The 18/17/16/15/14/13 JO girl’s teams practice three times per week.
Q. Are the players evaluated during the season?
A. All head coaches are responsible to evaluate their respective players in writing once per year. If a coach believes a second evaluation is necessary they will present the evaluation during the final month of practice.
Q. What are the practice locations?
A. Sky High offers teams in four locations. The Sky High Athletic Center in Crystal Lake (All Age Groups, Regional and JO), Canlan Sports Center in Lake Barrington (15 - 18 JO), Harper College in Palatine (15 - 18 Regional) and Sky High-Northshore in Libertyville (All age groups, Regional and JO.)
Q. How long is the season?
A. All 14/13JO and 12/11/10U teams begin the week of November 11th. All 15-18 JO and Regional teams begin the week of December 2nd. All 18 JO and all Regional teams will be done competing in mid to late April. All 13-17 JO and 12/11 teams will finish their season sometime in June. All 10's will be done in mid to late May. All teams will be off Winter Break, December 20 - Jan 1 and Spring Break, March 22 - 30. Please note some JO teams will compete in the MidEast Qualifier, March 21-23. We are also offering a European trip for JO 18/17's from March 20-30.
Q. How much travel is involved? (JO Teams only)
A. All Regional and 10 & under teams will never travel outside of the Chicagoland area/southern Wisconsin to compete. Most of the older Jr. Olympic teams (18/17/16/15) are out of town 2 - 3 times not including the USA Junior Nationals or AAU Nationals. (Note: 18JO teams will attend the USA Nationals if they qualify) 14 Elite and 15-17 JO teams will attend USA Nationals if they qualify and if not, they will attend the AAU Nationals) 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) and if they qualify they will attend the USA Junior Nationals. The 14/13 JO 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 JO age groups to help prepare each team for the next level and give the older (15-18) athlete’s maximum exposure. Note: All players stay with a parent or adult guardian when overnight.
Q. Do any teams compete or practice over Spring Break/Easter?
A. Yes, 16 Elite and some 17/18 JO teams compete in Indianapolis at the MidEast Qualifier, March 21-23. Most of our 13 - 17 JO teams including 12's will compete in the Windy City Qualifier in Chicago, April 18-20. Some of the 18 and 17 JO players will be traveling internationally to Europe with Sky High, March 20-30.
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 to turn in a copy of your school practice and competition schedule to your coach. 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, training, equipment, recruiting liaison (college bound athletes), year membership to “Volleyball Recruits.NET” (15-18 JO only), Honest Game membership (academic guidance for college admission), 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, travel costs (JO and possibly 12U teams only).
Q. What are the uniform costs?
A. Your uniform costs are always the greatest during your first year with Sky High. Sky High eliminates a uniform only if the manufacturer phases it out. The estimated cost for all NEW Regional players is $395.00. 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 12/11/10’s and all 13 – 18 JO players is $595. Includes everything above plus warm-up pants & shoes.
Q. How will I know if my athlete was selected to compete with Sky High?
A. After each tryout Sky High will post the results and instructions will be handed out to each athlete on how to review and complete electronic paperwork. You will need to review, date and electronically sign all paperwork by a posted deadline. This information will be included in your handout at the tryout. In some cases, we call the athlete's who are selected the day after the tryout.
Q. What is involved in the general parent meeting?
A. Sky High will discuss our expectations, financial commitment, practice and tournament schedules, travel (JO only), etc. The date and time of the parent meetings will be communicated to you in August and will be hosted in October/November.
If you have any questions, please contact us at your convenience (Mon-Fri, 9am - 4pm) at 815-356-0006.