Frequently Asked Questions for new/inquiring players:

1. What is Penn Highlands Volleyball Club?

Club Volleyball is the best way for players to improve their skills and learn more about the game of volleyball. Girls’ volleyball has elevated to an extremely competitive level, and playing year-round from a young age has become imperative to the proper development of volleyball players. In addition, club volleyball helps to prepare players to reach their full potential for their junior high, high school, and college programs. Penn Highlands produces many athletes who further their volleyball careers onto the collegiate level. Please visit our alumni page to see where our players compete in college!

Penn Highlands is a member of USA Volleyball and the Ohio Valley Region, which includes Ohio, West Virginia, and Western Pennsylvania. Learn more at: www.ovr.org, www.usavolleyball.org . You can learn more about the vision and mission of Penn Highlands VBC by visiting our club information page.

2. When should my daughter start playing club volleyball?

One of the questions frequently asked is, “when should my daughter start playing volleyball?” Youth volleyball is also growing in popularity. Players now play volleyball at a much younger age, just as they do in other team sports such as basketball or soccer, thus, making the players and teams at the junior high and high school level experience much more success. Youth volleyball regulations adjust the size of the court, height of the net, and weight of the ball dependent on the age of the players participating. Penn Highlands encourages any player in grades 1-6, regardless of experience to come out and try the fun, competitive, fast-paced sport of volleyball.

3. Why should I play Penn Highlands?

Penn Highlands Volleyball Club provides players the opportunity to tremendously improve their skills by giving each player court time and repetitions in addition to their school volleyball seasons. Penn Highlands provides a premier coaching staff, including many coaches with experience at the collegiate level. In addition, the club volleyball program guides and challenges young women to build characteristics of good character, work ethic, integrity, responsibility, and the concept of team. Players will build lasting friendships and experience situations that will help them to develop into confident volleyball players, and young women.

4. When and where can I tryout ?

Penn Highlands tryouts are held in November each year. Each player must be present for 2 tryouts for their age group. At this time, the specific dates for tryouts have not been determined. Please check back for updates. All registration forms and tryout information will be available on this website. All tryouts and practices are held at Penn State Fayette in Uniontown, PA.

5. How are the teams selected?

Penn Highlands invites players of all ages (8-18) and skill level to tryout. Each team is designated by an age and a team name. For example: 18 Jaguars, 18 Cheetahs, 17 Lynx, 16 Pumas, 16 Cougars, 15 Panthers, 15 Leopards, 14 Tigers, etc...Teams will be determined after tryouts by the Penn Highlands coaching staff. Penn Highlands makes every effort to keep as many players as possible, not exceeding the teams capacity, which is determined by that team’s coach. Teams are selected based on skill level, age, position, attitude, competitive edge, and willingness to travel.

6. How often will my team practice?

Penn Highlands teams practice up to 2 times a week. One weekday evening and one weekend - usually Sunday afternoon. Practices are 2 hours in length. Practices begin the first week of January. There will be no practices from tryouts- December.

7. How many tournaments will my team go to?

The amount of tournaments a team attends is based on age. Younger teams 14, 13, 12, 10, etc ... will go to 6 or fewer tournaments. Older teams will attend 7-8 tournaments. Some teams may attend a tournament that lasts more than one day on a weekend.

8. Where will the tournaments take place?

Penn Highlands makes every effot to give each teams and its players the “club volleyball experience” There is some travel involved in the club season, but it is not excessive. For example, most of our teams attend tournaments in California, Elizabeth, Pittsburgh, Indiana, Somerset, Greensburg. National and upper level teams will travel farther than regional level teams. Players on national and upper level teams will be notified of their travel schedule before the commit to the club. All teams attend OVR Championships in Columbus.

9. Can I participate in other sports/activities during Penn Highlands season?

Yes, you can participate in a school-sanctioned sport or activity during club season. You will not be penalized for missing Penn Highlands because of a school sport, musical, etc. You must notify your coach of all activities you will be participating in during the club season. Many Penn Highlands players have participated in one or more school sports in addition to club volleyball.

10. What is the financial obligation to Penn Highlands?

Penn Highlands offers a first rate experience at an extremely reasonable rate. Penn Highlands is the most affordable club in western Pennsylvania, and provides the same or better experience for its players as other more costly clubs (up to almost $1200 more than Penn Highlands!) Teams attend quality tournaments including qualifiers, championships, and challenges. The cost for teams range from $600 per player - $725 per player. Penn Highlands does plan to adapt the program and price accordingly for teams 13 and under depending on level of commitment from the players an parents.

11. I don’t know if we can afford club volleyball, are there any other options for us?

YES! Penn Highlands does not want to turn players away who have a true desire to learn and compete! This is why Penn Highlands offers an excellent fundraiser to all of its players directly after tryouts. Players have the opportunity to fundraise up to their entire dues with just one fundraiser before the season begins. The fundraiser is called an “advertisement t-shirt” which allows players to sell ads to local business, family and friends. Every ad the player sells is applied directly to their dues! We have had many players in past years fundraise their entire dues!

More Questions? Email pennhighlandsvbc@yahoo.com or call 724-439-8208