MS Select League
The Middle School (MS) SELECT league was started in 2013 to provide a more competitive volleyball experience. It runs during the spring season and is open to girls in grades 6th thru 8th with intermediate to advanced skills. Unlike the inclusive nature of House, MS Select pulls in top players after an optional tryout and draft.
MS Select is ideal for athletes aspiring to play volleyball in high school and/or at the club level. There are no minimal skills required to tryout for MS Select -- even girls serving underhand have earned a roster spot. Those who do not make a MS Select team after tryouts are automatically placed on a grade-appropriate House team. Friend and carpool requests will not be honored in MS Select.
MS Select is NOT a CLUB VOLLEYBALL program. For information about club volleyball opportunities in the area, visit the Club Overview page on the NoVA Vollebyball Alliance website.
NOTE: Active club players are not eligible to play MS Select -- this ensures that as many other girls as possible can have a similar competitive volleyball experience. Club players are always welcome to coach a team.
MS Select Commitment
- Two 90-minute practices during the week
- One 90-minute match (5 full games time permitting) each Saturday during the season
- Target is 9 to 11 players per team -- players are expected to attend all practices and matches
Tryout Process - Spring 2024
- STEP 1: Register for the appropriate grade (6th, 7th or 8th) for the MYA Volleyball Spring 2024 volleyball season --- THERE IS NO SEPARATE REGISTRATION FOR MS SELECT.
- STEP 2: Sign up to attend ONE of the six ROUND 1 TRYOUTS sessions
- Friday, March 1, 2024 at McLean HS Lower Gym #2
- Session 1: 7:00pm-8:00pm
- Session 2: 8:00pm-9:00pm
- Wednesday, March 6 at McLean HS Upper Gym #1
- Session 3: 7:00pm-8:00pm
- Session 4: 8:00pm-9:00pm
- Friday, March 8 at McLean HS Lower Gym #2
- Session 5: 7:00pm-8:00pm
- Session 6: 8:00pm-9:00pm
- Friday, March 1, 2024 at McLean HS Lower Gym #2
- STEP 3: If invited, attend the ROUND 2 CALLBACK. This is an invitation-only event based on Round 1 results and takes place on Monday, March 11 @6:30pm-9:00pm at the McLean HS Main/Lower Gym #2 (check-in opens at 6:30pm). Attendance is mandatory to be considered for a MS Select team. After the tryout, there will be a draft to assign players to teams. MS Select team rosters and practice schedules will be posted by Friday, March 15 with the first team practices during the week of March 18.
- STEP 4: If offered a position, accept the offer and fill out the MS Select registration form (link TBD). The form confirms your understanding of the MYA Volleyball Playing Time Policy and assesses the supplemental $30 fee. If not offered a position, no worries -- you're still playing volleyball this spring on a grade-appropriate House team.
Comparison of Select vs. House
For those new to the Select program, here are some quick comparisons with the House program.
- Key differences:
- Select Program = A more intense volleyball experience comparable to the competitive programs in High School and Club Volleyball.
- House Program = A more casual volleyball experience geared towards learning the sport and/or having fun playing with friends & classmates.
- MS Select players must attend a tryout and be drafted to a team
- The tryout evaluates volleyball skills, team-work, athleticism and coach-ability. The subsequent draft by MS Select coaches places candidates on teams in a fair and balanced manner. Friend requests are not honored.
- Those not assigned to a MS Select team after tryouts/draft are automatically placed on a grade-appropriate House team with friend requests honored
- MS Select follows standard USA Volleyball Rules
- No Special Rules such as continuous substitution, service re-dos, lax foot faults and extra points for 3 touches
- MS Select players DO NOT have equal playing time
- As practiced by most competitive volleyball programs, MS Select playing time is determined by Head Coaches as part of game strategy
- There is no guarantee of a set amount of playing time. Some players will naturally play more than others.
- The unbalanced nature of playing time should be considered prior to attending a tryout or accepting a position on a team.
- Parents must agree to the MYA Volleyball Playing Time Policy prior to the first match.
- MS Select teams play matches against other teams in the MS Select program
If you have any questions, please email mcleanvb@gmail.com.