Girls between 4th-8th grade who live in Eagan and/or attend/are planning to attend school in Eagan.
For fall travel volleyball, we only hold one tryout. That being said, if the player is unable to attend tryouts, her previous year’s score could be considered for team placement. If no previous score is available, the player will be placed on the lowest team as long as there are no cuts made.
The number of teams is dependent primarily on the number of players trying out, but we try to plan for 6-8 teams total between the two age divisions. Each team will consist of nine or ten players.
Teams are led by paid coaches, who can be either non-parents or parents based on the applications we receive and the number of teams we determine we can field.
Paid coaches
Gym time
Uniform (Jersey and Spandex Shorts)
Registration in the Northern Lights Fall Youth League (does not include parent entry fees to league games)
Teams are divided based on age and ability. Girls in grades 4-6 compete on 12U teams, and girls in grades 7-8 compete at the 14U level. Younger players in each division should be aware they will be trying out against older girls for placement on the same teams.
Players will be given a t-shirt with a number to wear during tryouts. Players should also bring knee pads, but balls will be provided, so please do not bring your own. A water bottle is allowed in the gym, but please do not bring sports drinks. Parents are not permitted to be present in the gym during tryouts.
During the tryout, players will be evaluated based on skill level, as determined by independent evaluators, through drills and game-like situations. Skills that will be assessed include:
Passing: passing to a target, form and footwork, moving to the ball
Setting: setting to a target, form and footwork, moving to the ball
Serving: form including toss, step, and arm swing
Hitting: approach footwork, arm swing
General: athleticism, communication, movement, control
Players will be placed on teams based on their overall assessment. Teams will be communicated the following week as quickly as possible.
Players who do not make a travel team can sign up for the EAA Fall In-House Volleyball program with no late fee. In this situation, you will receive a full refund for the travel registration, minus the $25 non-refundable tryout fee, and complete a new registration for the in-house program. However, if a player makes a travel team and then chooses not to play EAA Fall Travel Volleyball, no refund will be given.
Players will receive a uniform shirt and spandex shorts. Players are responsible for providing their own knee pads and non-marking court shoes.
Teams will practice for 90 minutes, twice a week.
Teams play in the the Northern Lights Fall Youth League, which begins in early September and goes through mid October. Games take place in a two-hour block one day each weekend (2022 games were played on Sundays) for six total play dates. Start times will vary from week to week.
Many girls who play travel volleyball in the fall also play JO volleyball in the winter. Fall travel volleyball takes place at the beginning of the school year, which is the same time as the middle and high school volleyball seasons. The JO volleyball season runs through winter and spring, with tryouts taking place almost immediately after the fall season ends. To learn more about JO volleyball in the Twin Cities metro area, please visit the North Country Region website.