Northern Indiana Volleyball Association

Independent Feeder

PRogram information

The Independent Feeder is the NIVA “house” league that practices out of the Mishawaka Fieldhouse.  It is for players in 3rd-8th grade from ANY school, whether your coach is involved or not!  We have many area coaches in NIVA but will not limit any players due to school affiliation.  We have players from Edwardsburg, Mishawaka, Niles, Penn, private schools, homeschool, ICCL schools, etc. This program is run by NIVA Director, Kaitlyn Hickey.

This league is considered developmental and is open to players of any skill level.  We have many first time players and this league is designed to help players learn the game and improve, no matter what their starting point may be!

Questions? Reach out to Kaitlyn Hickey at NIVA.Kaitlyn@gmail.com.

  • Complete your 25-26 NIVA Season Registration
  • Complete your player JVA Membership
    • choose NIVA as your club from the dropdown
    • Club Director Name: Adria Anderson
    • Club Director's Email: nivajrs@gmail.com
  • Attend the parent information night
    • October 8, 2025 7:30-8:30pm
  • This year there is no tryout
    • teams will be formed based on practice night requests, teammate and coach requests
      • players with no requests will be grouped by age and years of experience
  • An email will be sent by November 21st with your team placement and season practice schedule
  • Meet your team at your first practice! Practices start December 1st
  • Save the date:
    • December 6th, 11:00-1:00 PM
      • Independent Feeder Clinic led by Coach Kaitlyn Hickey 

Every player makes a team

This year there will not be a tryout for the Independent Feeder. You must be registered by November 16th to be placed on a team. Teams will be formed based on practice, teammate, and coach requests along with years of experience that can be filled out on the registration.

Each player will receive an email by November 21st with their team placement and season practice schedule.

 

 

 

 

 

 

All tournaments will be held at the Mishawaka Fieldhouse. Each team is guaranteed 2 matches and will ref 1 match each week. Game times will be assigned each week.

  • January 11
  • January 25
  • February 8
  • February 15
  • February 22
  • March 14-15
    • 2 day championship

 

 

 

 

 

 

All teams will practice at the Mishawaka Fieldhouse, 6155 Veterans Parkway Mishawaka, IN 46545. Practices will start the week of December 1st.

Teams will practice 1x a week for 1.5-2 hours each week.  Days/times will be determined once we know how many teams we have and those team needs (based on the days you select in your registration) but we will have options for Monday and Wednesday practices 5:00-7:00pm as well as Fridays 5:00-9:00pm.

At practice, we want the girls to get as many touches on the ball doing things the right way.  We want coaches and players engaged, active and learning.  We believe in training girls at all ages in all the volleyball skills to make well rounded players.  As girls grow and get older, we will start to focus on position specific skills in addition to whole group training.

 

 

  • $60 non-refundable registration fee
  • $400 season fees
    • pay in full by December 17th for $25 off
    • payment plan: $200 due December 17th and January 17th

We do offer a few optional fundraisers that players can participate in to earn money off their fees.  CLICK HERE for more information on our fundraisers.

 

 

Each player gets 2 t-shirt uniform tops and a pair of spandex included in the fees.  Sizes are selected at the time of registration.

Uniform pick up will be January 4th in conjunction with picture day.

We do have optional spirit wear that can be purchased.  A link to the online store will be shared closer to season.

 

 

If you are interested in coaching an Independent Feeder team, please fill out this coaches application HERE.

We will hold a coaches meeting November 11th at 7:00pm at the Mishawaka Fieldhouse.

 

 

 

 

Contact NIVA Director, Kaitlyn Hickey at NIVA.Kaitlyn@gmail.com.