2018 Amherst County High School

                                                          Volleyball Tryout Packet

The Lady Lancers’ Volleyball teams are teams of dedicated student-athletes who take pride in their school and are willing to make a maximum effort in both the classroom and on the volleyball court.  Wearing a Lancer uniform is a privilege, one that carries many responsibilities and rewards. 

Tryouts for the 2017 season will be at SWEET BRIAR and start on Monday, July 30, be Tuesday, July 31 and end on Wednesday, August 1 (or at coaches’ discretion).  Registration and Paperwork for Tryouts will begin at 8:15 am on the first day for those who have not submitted the required paperwork.  Tryout times are from 9 am- 11 am.  Tryouts are your opportunity to learn more about the philosophy and expectations of the Lancer Volleyball program and to make your best impression on the coaching staff.  You MUST attend every tryout, and if selected to the team every practice, game, or team function scheduled.  Game schedule is posted online at amherstlancers.org.  BE ON TIME AND DO NOT SCHEDULE CONFLICTING APPOINTMENTS. (On time is fifteen minutes early, dressed completely and ready to start on time.  Balls will be available before start time for use.)

Before School Practice schedule for Team members: (Regular school day practice is from 3:15 – 5:15)

Thurs. 8/2 from 9:00 am-11:00 am at SWEET BRIAR

Fri. 8/3     10:00 am-12:00 pm JV Practice SWEET BRIAR     12:00 pm-2:00 pm VARSITY Practice SWEET BRIAR

Sat. 8/4 Fundraiser/Picture/Media Day:  8:30 am UNTIL 10 am at AMHERST COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL

TBA   Fall Parent/Player Meeting  (All players with their parent/guardian needs to attend)

Mon. 8/6 and Tues. 8/7 JV 12:00-2:00 pm and Varsity 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Practice at MONELISON MIDDLE

Wed. 8/8 Scrimmage AWAY at Altavista Report Time TBA

Th 8/9 and Fri. 8/10    JV 12:00 – 2:00 pm and Varsity 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Practice at MONELISON MIDDLE

Sat. 8/11 VARSITY Jamboree AWAY Rockbridge from when bus leave ? UNTIL?

Mon. 8/13 and Tues. 8/14 and Wed. 8/15 Practice 3:15-5:00 PM at TBA

Thurs. 8/16 NO PRACTICE – School registration/Open House Day

Fri. 8/17 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm Practice at TBA

Sat. 8/18 JV Jamboree AWAY Rockbridge from when bus leaves? UNTIL?

School Starts Monday 8/20 Regular practice time (3:15-5:15 pm)/game schedule (Monday – Friday)

Pre-tryout Registration Requirements

1. VHSL Physical completely filled out with insurance information, doctor’s release, student

signatures and all parental signatures required. (Must have been completed after 5/1/2018)

What to wear/What to bring

Wear comfortable clothes:  t-shirt, socks, and court shoes.  Do not wear shorts or tops that are exposing or anything that has to be adjusted every time you move.  Do not bring or wear jewelry (including earrings) to the gym.  Kneepads are not required for tryouts BUT are encouraged.  YOU SHOULD BRING A WATER BOTTLE EACH DAY TO TRYOUTS as it will be easier to get water than standing in line at the water fountain.

Tryout Criteria

The coaching staff will be looking for coachable athletes who have a great work ethic, love to compete, and want to learn to become better players and teammates.  We are looking for future potential and those whom desire to play at higher levels. 

Prior volleyball experience or skill helps, but are not required.  (Great volleyball players are not made, they are created through hard work and desire!) Prospective student-athletes will be tested and evaluated for their overall athletic ability, level of volleyball skill, attitude/work ethic, coachability, teamwork, and sportsmanship. 

Understand that we are looking for players who are positive, competitive, and eager to learn.  We are interested in strong leadership skills, ability to work/communicate as a team, and those who are willing to take risks and unafraid of learning from their mistakes.  Players need to  have the ability to learn and perform complex volleyball skills.  Also, players who skills fit a specific need for the team’s overall balance are needed.  As the level of play rises, the requirement for specific position expertise rises.

What to expect at Tryouts

1.  Expect to work hard.  You will be asked to perform all physical testing and drills at full speed.  You should run when shagging balls, when moving from drill to drill and when going to and from water breaks.
2. Expect to improve your volleyball skills.  At tryouts, you will be practicing and improving on skills even if you are not selected to the team.
3. Expect to enjoy yourself.  Tryouts are a normal part of life as an athlete.  We suggest you stay loose, make new friends, and decide that you will have a good time, no matter what will be the end result. 

Options for Players Not Selected

Tryouts can be a difficult experience.  One of the toughest jobs for any coach is the final decision about which players make the team, and those who do not.  The Lancer volleyball staff strives to make all decisions fairly, without bias, and after extended deliberation and evaluation of each student-athlete.  During the tryout process, it is not unusual for some girls to decide they would rather not continue trying out.  If you think you would like to withdraw from consideration for a spot on the team, please talk it over first with one of the coaches.  You never know unless you give it your best.  If not selected there are travel teams which usually start up in October/November, a recreation league that starts in May, and a wealth of camps and clinics all over to improve your skills for tryouts next year.