Northern Indiana Volleyball Association

Girls Travel Season Information

PROGRAM INFORMATION

The Girls Travel division of NIVA is for elite 5th-12th grade volleyball girls in the Michiana area.

We offer teams from 11U-18U with a variety of levels that suit a wide range of personal budget and time commitment.

Our goal is to help girls reach their volleyball potential while maintaining a passion and love for the sport.  We ant to help players grow their gamefrom technique to strategy for the next level...whether it be their elementary team or college. 

register today
  • Complete your 25-26 NIVA Travel Team Registration
    • $125 through August 24th
    • $175 August 25th-tryouts
  • Complete your JVA Membership
    • choose NIVA as your club from the dropdown
    • club director name: Adria Anderson
    • club director email: nivajrs@gmail.com
  • Attend the parent information meeting
    • Sunday, August 24th 7:30-8:30pm
  • Attend BOTH tryouts for your age group and division you are trying out for

NIVA uses colors to differentiate team levels

  • National Teams: Purple, Black, Onyx
    • Highest level teams in the most competitive and extensive travel schedule
      • 12-15 events from January-July
    • Players on these teams are REQUIRED to go to Nationals
      • 12U-17U attend AAU Nationals in Orlando, FL
        • exact dates TBA but each team plays for 4 days during June 13-28th
      • 15-17U teams that qualify or earn a spot in the patriot division attend USAV Nationals in Indianapolis, IN
        • exact dates TBA but teams will play 4 days during June 25-July 3rd 
    • 2-3 practices a week from December-July
    • Included in fees: tryout shirt, court time, tournaments, AAU membership, JVA membership, coach pay, coach hotel rooms, equipment, Hudl+Balltime, SportsRecruits, recruiting coordinator, lead coach, mental health coach
    • Not included in fees: uniforms, USAV membership (15-18U), player/family personal travel expenses or hotels
  • Select Teams: White, Grey
    • Highest level teams that play the most competitive schedule
      • 8-9 events from January-March
    • 2-3 practices a week from December-March
    • Included in fees: tryout shirt, court time, tournaments, AAU membership, JVA membership, coach pay, coach hotel rooms, equipment, Hudl+Balltime, SportsRecruits, recruiting coordinator, lead coach, mental health coach
    • Not included in fees: uniforms, USAV membership (17U), player/family personal travel expenses or hotels
  • Elite Teams: Silver, Jade, Ruby
    • High level teams that play a competitive schedule
      • 8 events from January-March
    • 2-3 practices a week from December-March
    • Included in fees: tryout shirt, court time, tournaments, AAU membership, JVA membership, coach pay, coach hotel rooms, equipment, Hudl+Balltime, SportsRecruits, recruiting coordinator, lead coach, mental health coach
    • Not included in fees: uniforms, USAV membership (15-18U), player/family personal travel expenses or hotels
  • Regional Teams: Pink, Blue
    • Hybrid level teams that play a mix of rec and travel events
      • 7 events from January-March
    • Included in fees: tryout shirt, court time, tournaments, AAU membership, JVA membership, coach pay, coach hotel rooms, equipment,  lead coach, mental health coach
    • Not included in fees: uniforms, player/family personal travel expenses or hotels

When you register for tryouts, you choose what level teams you are open to playing on: national teams, select teams, elite teams and/or regional teams.  You can choose all options if you are open to any level team.  

We will only evaluate you for the levels you choose.  For example, if you choose only select teams, our national, elite and regional coaches will not evaluate her for placement on their teams.  So if your daughter were to not make an elite level team, she will be cut from travel because you did not say you were open to any other levels.

Factors to consider when choosing what color to try out for:

  •  Cost
    • All costs and the breakdown are listed on the NIVA Fees tab
  • Tournament Schedule
    • HERE is the tentative tournament schedule for the 25-26 season
    • Players need to be available for all the play dates listed for the teams they are trying out for
      • Exceptions will be made for any player missing for a school sport, event or major family event.  Communicate with your coach at your team meeting any dates that are conflicts.  Do NOT try out for a team if you have multiple tournament conflicts. 
    • schedule is subject to change based on entry into tournaments once registration open
  • Practice Schedule
    (Sundays are TBA by team preference...weekdays are assigned this year with minimal flexibility for changes from this schedule)
    • 11U-14U All Teams
      • Purple, Black, Onyx, White, Grey, Silver, Jade, Ruby, Pink, Blue
        • T/TH 5:00-7:00pm
    • 15-18U National Teams
      • Purple, Black, Onyx
        • M/W 7:00-9:00pm
    • 15-17U Select Teams
      • White, Grey
        • M/W 7:00-9:00pm
    • 15-17U Elite Teams
      • Silver, Jade, Ruby
        • T/TH 7:00-9:00pm
    • 15-16U Regional Teams
      • Pink, Blue
        • W 7:00-9:00pm
  • Coach
  • Team Makeup
    • As a player/family, you need to decide what level of rigor and competition you want to dedicate yourself to for the season.  The higher level the team, the more talent, competition and the higher the expectations. 
  • August 24th
    • Parent Information Night
    • 7:30-8:30pm
    • MFH court 10
      • virtual link to meeting will be shared closer to the date
  • September 28th
    • 12-14U National Team tryout #1
  • October 1st
    • 12-14U National Team tryout #2
  • October 5th
    • 12-14U National Team invites sent out
  • October 7th
    • 12-14U National Team acceptance deadline
      • first payment of $800 due
  • October 12th
    • 11-14U Select/Elite/Regional Team tryout #1
  • October 13th
    • 11-13U Select/Elite/Regional Team tryout #2
  • October 15th
    • 14U Select/Elite/Regional Team tryout #2
  • October 19th
    • 11-14U Select/Elite/Regional team invites emailed out
  • October 21st
    • 11-14U Select/Elite/Regional team acceptance deadline
      • first payment of $800 due
  • November 2nd
    • 15-18U National Team tryout #1
  • November 3rd
    • 15-16U National Team tryout #2
  • November 5th
    • 17-18U National Team tryout #2
  • November 7th
    • 15-18U National Team invites emailed
  • November 9th
    • 15-18U National Team acceptance deadline
      • first payment of $800 due
    • 15-17U Select/Elite/Regional Team tryout #1
  • November 10th
    • 15U Select/Elite/Regional Team tryout #2
  • November 12th
    • 16-17U Select/Elite/Regional Team tryout #2
  • November 14th
    • 15-17U Select/Elite/Regional Team invites emailes
  • November 16th
    • 15-17U Select/Elite/Regional Team acceptance deadline
      • first payment of $800 due 
  • November 18th
    • Last day to order uniforms
  • November 23rd
    • Travel Team meetings
      •  exact time TBA for each team during 3:00-7:00pm time frame

In our travel program, playing time is NOT guaranteed.

We operate under the philosophy that you are paying for instruction, growth, development and practice time, not playing time.  We do understand that playing correlates with growth and will do our best to give every girl an opportunity to earn a playing spot.  It most likely will never be equal playing time on a travel team - the best players that produce on the court, have a strong work ethic and attend practices will play more.

Playing time is the #1 biggest issue in youth sports.  It is hard to see your child sitting the bench but we encourage athletes to speak with the coaches on what to improve and work on to see the court.  Sometimes its just a matter of talent...when 2 players are competing for playing time and both are working hard with good attitudes, the spot goes to the player that produces more.  Sometimes there are intangibles that earn players spots - please don't buy into the narrative that your child isn't playing because the coach doesn't like her, the school she goes to, etc.  It isn't ever politics at NIVA - it is always about talent, work ethic and attitude. 

We will not take a player on a team that we don't think has the chance to contribute.  It is up to them to earn one of the 6-8 playing spots out of the 10-12 girls.

We will never go to a tournament and have a player sit out the whole time but playing time may be as limited to a few points a game or a few sets a weekend. 

Signing your child up to play NIVA travel is an agreement you understand this philosophy.

Included in team fees for all national, select and elite level teams are the following:

  • Lead Coach: a master coach that will train and work with all players and coaches in their age group.
    • 11-14U: Kaitlyn Hickey
    • 15-16U: Tyler Ferguson
    • 17-18U: Adria Anderson
  • HUDL+Balltime
    • Hudl and Balltime have merged into one service and each team has a package that allows them to film and stream games, collect stats, breakdown film, etc. 
  • SportsRecruits
    • Recruiting platform players can use to have a recruiting profile, send emails, film, etc.
  • Recruiting Coordinator
    • Kaitlyn Hickey serves as the club recruiting coordinator and her job is to walk you through the recruiting process from your first contact through signing a letter of intent
  • Mental Health Coach
    • NIVA hires a few local professionals to work with teams, coaches and players on the mental side of the game

All travel teams will practice at MFH (Mishawaka Fieldhouse: 6155 Veterans Parkway, Mishawaka, IN 46545)

Practice Schedule
(Sundays are TBA by team preference...weekdays are assigned this year with minimal flexibility for changes from this schedule)

  • 11U-14U All Teams
    • Purple, Black, Onyx, White, Grey, Silver, Jade, Ruby, Pink, Blue
      • T/TH 5:00-7:00pm
  • 15-18U National Team
    • Purple, Black, Onyx
      • M/W 7:00-9:00pm
  • 15-17U Select Teams
    • White, Grey
      • M/W 7:00-9:00pm
  • 15-17U Elite Teams
    • Silver, Jade, Ruby
      • T/TH 7:00-9:00pm
  • 15-16U Regional Team
    • Pink, Blue
      • W 7:00-9:00pm

CLICK HERE for the tentative master tournament schedule.

*tournament schedule is subject to change based on acceptance into tournaments once registration opens*

Onyx level teams will follow the same schedule as the black level team.

Team decisions are made based on our OPEN tryouts.  Our travel teams are not formed and offers are not made until after tryouts...yes we know most of our returning players' abilities but new players come, new players emerge out of the school season, etc.  

Each age group has 2 tryout dates and players are expected to be at both.  If you cannot make both tryouts, complete this MISSING TRYOUT FORM so we can coordinate a makeup date or other plans. 

At tryouts, players will be given a tryout shirt and number.  We have 10-20 coaches evaluating each age group (depending on the size of the field).  Coaches are evaluating players on position, ability, hustle and attitude.  Players will be ranked by each skill and attribute by evaluators for a final score and team placement.   We can only have 3 players from an Indiana high school and 4 from a Michigan high school so have to make sure our team composition needs are met for positions while abiding by those restrictions. 

You will see coaches with phones and tablets using our new TeamGenius software.  Each player will get a results form with their scores and notes after tryouts.

We are looking to field the most competitive teams at each age group.  Players need to try out at their eligible age group - we will ask girls to move up if needed.  It is very rare for a player to move up.

We strongly encourage well-rounded athletes and individuals.  We want to support young women who are involved and successful at multiple things.

With that, we do expect your dedication when you are on a travel team.  Being a multi-sport athlete or involved in another activity does not mean you can give 50% to each endeavor...we expect as close to 100% dedication as possible.  If you have a practice until 8 and we go until 9pm, we want you coming over after your practice for that time!  

Be sure to communicate early and often with your coach about schedules and conflicts and we will do our best to support you!  

Players will not be punished for missing for school sports or events but a lack of attendance repeatedly will affect the growth of the player and team so make every effort to be there.

After tryouts, all players will recieve an email letting them know their team placement or if they did not make a team.

If you make a NIVA travel team, you must accept your position and pay an $800 deposit within 48 hours.  There are no exceptions and no spots will be held without payment.  If a player fails to accept and pay within 48 hours, we will move to the next player in line. 

If you do not make a travel team, your email will let you know next steps if you want to play on a rec team.  Everyone gets placed on a rec team for those that want to continue with NIVA at that level.  Your tryout fee and money will follow you so will not have to pay again.

Most travel tournaments are 2 day events where teams play pool play on Saturday and bracket play on Sunday.

Most events guarantee 5 matches so you can expect to play 3 matches Saturday and then bracket play is single elimination Sunday so you play until you lose.  Generally they give all teams a consolation match Sunday to get you at least 2 matches the final day.

Tournaments generally post the schedule by Wednesday before the event.  DO NOT email tournament directors or us asking for the schedule...once it is ready it will be posted at AES where you can search and find most events. 

Each family is responsible for their own travel and lodging at tournaments.  NIVA will create room blocks so teams and families can stay at the same property but unless it is a stay-to-play event, families can choose to stay wherever.  

Stay-to-play events: usually large tournaments require you reach a certain room count or stay at an assigned property for the player to be eligible for the event.  We will communicate all tournament and hotel information after teams are formed.  

Uniform ordering is done completely online.  After team rosters are set, you will get an email with an individual link to order your uniform package with your assigned jersey number.  Some players have trouble with the email coming through so you can also CLICK HERE to go to the player package.  

There are 3 different uniform tops that are required for all players to buy ($200) and all other items in the package are optional (backpack, spandex, warm up tops, etc.).  We left other items optional to help lower the cost for families that don't want to buy additional items that are not needed for game play.

The last day to order your uniform package is November 16th to ensure you have them for picture day and first tournament.

Yes, we will offer multiple fundraisers this year to help players offset fees.

All of our fundraisers are optional!

The first fundraiser will run August 15-September 15th which is before tryouts.  Anyone who wants to tryout can do the fundraiser.  40% of what you raise will go directly towards season fees and if you do not make a team, we will issue you a refund check for the amount earned.

The second fundraiser will run November-December and the final one in the spring.

More details on fundraisers will be posted HERE and we will share with families through email and social media.

register today!