Forest Lake Area High School Athletics and Activities

We keep approximately 10 -12* athletes per team.  This still does not guarantee playing time. Some kids will be role players with limited playing time, maybe barely any.  Being a part of a team goes beyond playing time in the match and it is a life lesson as well.  Please be supportive of your daughter and our program.  We are looking at the entire team.  Our program is competitive and successful.  Be realistic and open to any and all possibilities.  Sometimes kids have made the team, but were unhappy in their role which ended up hurting the team – others stepped up and asked to be a manager, which we need.  The great managers we have had in the past have made a HUGE difference in our program.  There are ways to stay involved that are very rewarding.

Once school starts practices begin at 2:50pm @ the High School for all 9th -12th graders.  These 9th A/B and B-Squad practices end at 5pm, JV and Varsity practice ends at 5:30pm. 2:50-set nets up, 3pm lift/plyo's begin, then VB practice. High school athletes will have ½ hour minimum of jump training and/or lifting along with skill work most days.  All athletes are expected to be on time and ready to go,  includes helping with nets.  All should have rides within 15 min after practice.  School attendance is expected all day, every day! Assigned ISR or missing 3 practices may result in your dismissal from the team.

*See rest of schedule - all games and practices are expected, we are top-notch students, athletes and people.  We commit and work hard, very few absences!

Along with following the MSHSL rules and other “Top Ten” statements, we expect all athletes to remain at both the 5:30 and 7pm matches.  When going to away events we require all athletes to ride the bus both directions as well.  We are a team.  We also expect our kids to be fine examples around the school and in their classrooms and community.  Academics are a high priority.  Students must maintain AT LEAST a 2.0 g.p.a.  Student athletes get the job done in the classroom or arrange time to get help, finish assignments, etc. as well as get to all practices and events on time, ready to go.  The last and maybe the biggest expectation is that our attitudes need to be positive!  There is nothing worse than grumbling behind the scenes ~ these negatives often spill out to the court and other athletes.  This is not helpful to our program.  Parents- help your child realize their role and do it to their best ability – they are still VALUABLE even if they are not the “varsity starter”.  Everyone should be positively encouraging their teammates at all times.  Discussing things unrelated to volleyball during practices or games is not acceptable.  Also, cell phones or other electronic devices are not to be brought into the gym.  We will discuss bus etiquette as well.

You must apply to potentially be selected as a captain.  These forms are on our website or in the Activity Office at the High School.  Captains will be a great source of information for you and serve as a liaison to the coaches as well.  Even if not named a “Captain” all seniors should be leaders.  Feel free to talk to any of them about questions or concerns.  The dress code for home and away game days for school will be announced and/or posted by the captains.  We represent our school with class and school spirit.  All are expected to follow their lead.  These people will be voted for by the team after tryouts.  Great work ethic, character, and leadership will be the expectation.

Please talk to your daughter first, if she has an issue she should be talking to us, please encourage her to do so.  A common theme is playing time.  Sometimes it is hard to buy into the role assigned, they are not always “fun”, but they are all important!  I hope you support that, playing time is not up for discussion and we will be very honest with our athletes.  If you have other questions please make an appointment to see us.  The coaching staff, your daughter and the athletic director will meet with you if necessary as well.  Keep in mind that if your daughter was applying for a job promotion and she did not get it, you would not go in and talk to the boss about it.  This is somewhat like that, it is competitive and the athletes are applying every day.  We all have different strengths and abilities, that’s why we need everyone to strive to play their role to the best of their abilities.  To reach our goals we need to be a TEAM!!

Any athlete (or varsity manager) that is on the region team roster at the end of the season and has been with our program for at least three years-seniors or playing/managing more than three weeks with the varsity –underclassmen, will receive a varsity letter in volleyball.