Junior Olympic Volleyball

Overview

Orono Community Education coordinates this program. Our teams compete in the nationwide Junior Olympic (J.O.) program. We are members of the Junior Volleyball Association (JVA). Our program is committed to promoting the ideals of ethical conduct and fair play in athletics. Our school and community support high standards of good citizenship, propriety, and the highest regard for the rights of others. 

Due to limited practice space available, tryouts are limited to Orono students, students enrolled in a local parochial school with plans to attend Orono in the future, live in the Orono School district or be homeschooled and living in the Orono School district.  Exceptions may be made with prior approval from the Club Director. If your athlete does not fit this criteria, but you are still interested please contact Kim King at kim.king@orono.k12.mn.us to discuss your circumstances.

Season Dates

• October 26: Pre-Tryout Clinic
• October 29: Tryouts
• October 30: Team Placements announced via email 
• November 9: Virtual Parent & Player Meeting 6 - 7:30 PM
• November 14 & 16: Skills Clinics 
• Typically 5 - 6 weekend tournaments held either Saturday or Sunday from January through mid March

Season Fee

Approximately $700

• To be paid after team assignments are made. 
• Payment plans available to all and scholarships available to those that qualify. To request a scholarship contact Kim King at kim.king@orono.k12mn.us.
• Fee includes coaches, tournament entry fees, equipment, and gym usage fees.
• Jersey fees paid separately.

Junior Volleyball Association

Orono Junior Olympic Volleyball is a member of the Junior Volleyball Association (JVA). The local chapter of the JVA is North Star Volleyball United. JVA governs the tournaments and leagues that our teams play in. For more information, go to www.northstarvolleyballunited.com or www.jvaonline.org.

Orono JO Volleyball is fortunate to have very dedicated coaches in our program. They bring many years of volleyball experience to our athletes and emphasize the importance of character education in sport.  

Kim King, Club Director & Coach

Kim graduated from Orono High School and played volleyball for the Spartans. She then went on to play volleyball for Mount Mercy College in Cedar Rapids, IA. The 2023-24 season is her 29th year of coaching volleyball for the Spartans. Her coaching positions have included youth J.O. teams, 9th grade, B-Squad, Junior Varsity, as well as Varsity Assistant. She still enjoys playing volleyball year-round.

Abby Fay

Abby attended Orono Schools K-12 and played volleyball for the Spartans until she graduated in 2018. She then attended the University of Wisconsin - Madison,  where she played intramural volleyball on and off through the years while obtaining her degree in Marketing. This will be her second year coaching for Orono JO volleyball.

Anita Goman

Anita graduated from Orono High School and played volleyball for the Spartans. She attended Iowa State University and after college played co-ed recreational volleyball year-round.  Anita is an avid volleyball fan.  She has previously coached JO volleyball and can be seen at Orono High School volleyball home matches as the scorekeeper. 

Emily Goman

Emily is a 2018 graduate of Orono High School and competed in volleyball throughout middle school and high school.  She earned her degree from the University of Minnesota where she studied Microbiology and Public Health and also played intramural volleyball.  She enjoys watching the Gophers and other Big Ten volleyball matches.  Emily has coached for the Orono Middle School fall program and has assisted coaches with several teams in the program over the years. 

Tryout Information

• Open to Grades 4 - 8 and tryout level is determined based on current grade in school.
• The number of teams at each grade level will depend on the number of athletes that tryout.  
• We make every effort to place all individuals that tryout on a team, but cannot guarantee a spot will be available for everyone.
• $20 tryout fee ($40 day of) is non-refundable. Please register as soon as possible so we can plan for the tryout day.
• If your athlete plans to try out, please make every effort for her/him to attend the scheduled tryout time. If this is not possible, please contact Kim at kim.king@orono.k12.mn.us.
• If your student is participating in another activity this winter that may cause some schedule conflicts for practices or tournaments, please bring a copy of that schedule that you can leave with us at tryouts.
• In order to alleviate added pressure for the athletes, parents are not allowed in the gym during tryouts or to watch tryouts from the hall.
• Team announcements are made via email 2-4 days after tryouts.

tryout guidelines

tryout skill explanation

parent & player handbook

Tryout & Practice Gear/Equipment

• Shorts or spandex shorts

• Knee pads

• Volleyball or athletic shoes

• DO NOT wear tank tops or jewelry

• Bring a filled water bottle

Team-specific calendars to come.

Concussion Information

The health and safety of our players is very important to us. Please review the concussion information in the document below.

Concussion Fact Sheet for Parents

Athlete Workouts

All teams will spend  time during practices focusing on building strength and agility. Activities will be age appropriate. The amount of time devoted will depend on each team's needs. We encourage athletes to participate in activities that build strength, speed and agility outside of practice time. Coaches can give recommendations for workout plans.

Officiating Training

J.O. Volleyball is a unique youth sports activity as players are required to be a part of the officiating team at tournaments and playdates. Training occurs prior to the first tournament of the season.