National Level at M-Juniors (14-Maize, 15-Maize, 16-Maize, 17-Maize, 18-Maize)

At M-Juniors, the National team is the highest level in each age group. For this level we are looking for athletes that are:

Wanting to train at the highest level possible

Seeking to make volleyball their priority

Willing to commit 100 percent to their teammates and their program

Looking to be on a team with a maximum of 10 players

Wanting to travel to tournaments to compete against the best (a mix of single, double and triple-day events throughout the season)

Looking to attend large events, such as AAU Nationals in Orlando, Florida

Interested in possibly playing in college

Willing to work hard for their teammates and themselves

Supported by their family financially for this level of travel and commitment

The National level is the only level that we offer a team for our high school aged teams (15, 16, 17, 18). We encourage anyone willing to do the things listed above to tryout for the National level team in their age group. All team fees, team tournament/practice schedules and team coaches will be announced at Meet the Club Night on Sunday, October 26 from 7-9 pm at Cliff Keen Arena on the campus of the University of Michigan.

Quick Facts:

Most competitive level for players to be evaluated for

Practices: two or three times a week, Tuesdays and Thursdays with some Fridays (specific schedule with days/times will be announced on Meet the Club Night), all at Cliff Keen Arena (Ann Arbor)

Tournaments: schedule will be announced on Meet the Club Night; single and multiple-day events throughout the season

Season length: early December through end of June

Commonly asked questions about the National Level:

1) What is the M-Juniors attendance/commitment policy at the National level?

In order for you and your team to train at the highest level, each player has to be at practice and at tournaments! How hard is it to practice when only 3-4 players on your team show up? Very hard! What if only 5 players show up to a tournament? You can’t play. At M-Juniors, we have never had that problem. We have a 6 missed practice policy and a zero missed tournament policy. Any player can miss up to 6 practices for any reason. The key is to plan ahead. If you are going on Spring Break, those missed practices count. If you are sick, those missed practices count. If you have a choir concert or school event, those count as missed practices. We treat everyone the same, when you miss your 7^th practice, you are excused from the team and program.

We have 2 exceptions to our missed practice/tournament policy for our Seniors only. Seniors are allowed to miss for the day of their Senior Prom without penalty. Also, Seniors may miss for their Graduation Day without penalty. We just ask that you tell us when those two things are as soon as you know.

2) Can players play other sports or be involved in other activities?

The answer to this question is simple! Yes, they can be involved in any other sport or activity. They can not miss a tournament for any reason, so get those activity schedules early and compare them to the tournament schedule that you receive at Meet the Club Night. Because a multi-sport athlete will miss practice on occasion, we adapted the 6 missed practice rule. The following scale only applies to players that play club volleyball and another school sport (basketball, etc):

If you miss 6 or more practices due to your other sport, you will only have zero additional practice days that you are allowed to miss for another reason.

5 missed practices b/c of other sport = 1 additional allowed

4 missed practices b/c of other sport = 2 additional allowed

3 missed practices b/c of other sport = 3 additional allowed

2 missed practices b/c of other sport = 4 additional allowed

1 missed practices b/c of other sport = 5 additional allowed

3) Can players go on spring break?

Yes, as long as you meet the attendance policy above in question #1

4) How far do the National teams travel?

National teams travel to Orlando, Florida in mid-June and end their seasons at JVDA Nationals at the end of June. They will then attend other tournaments (1-day, 2-day or 3-day events) within driving distance, ranging from 1-6 hours from Ann Arbor, MI. Complete tournaments schedules are announced on Meet the Club Night on Sunday, October 26^th from 7-9 pm at Cliff Keen Arena.

5) Are practices at Cliff Keen or Premier?

All practices are at Cliff Keen Arena, exact dates given at Meet the Club Night

6) When do travel schedules come out?

Schedules will come out at Meet the Club Night on Sunday, October 26^th (7-9 pm) for National teams

7) When does practice start?

Practice for National teams will begin in early December with a break over the holidays

8) How many days per week do National Teams practice?

Two and sometimes three days per week. As the season progresses into traveling, we will only practice twice a week. Practice schedules for all teams will be given out at Meet the Club Night on Sunday, October 26^th (7-9 pm)

9) How long does the season last?

From early December until the end of June, specifics at Meet the Club Night