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.

2025-26 Season Dates

• October 21: Pre-tryout Clinic 4th - 6th Grade   6:15 - 7:45 PM
• October 23: Pre-tryout Clinic 7th - 8th Grade   6:15 - 7:45 PM
• October 26: Tryouts 
• October 28: Make-up Tryout
• October 29: Program Commitment Date
• October 31: Team Placements announced via email
• November 6: Parent/Player Meeting - 6:30 - 8 PM, Orono HS Auditorium
• November 11 & 13: Skills Clinic - All Ages   6:15 - 7:45 PM
• November 17/18: Practices Begin 
• March 14: Last possible day a tournament will be held during the season
• Week of March 16: Final week of practices

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

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 2025-26 season is her 30th 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.

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 and now works in the public health field.  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.  This is Emily’s fourth year coaching Orono JO Volleyball. 

Hadley Juran

Hadley attended Orono schools from K-12 and graduated in 2020 and was captain of the varsity volleyball team at Orono for two seasons. Hadley has coached Orono Middle School Volleyball in the fall. This will be her second season coaching in the Orono JO Volleyball program. 

Alyvia King

Alyvia attended Houston High School in Houston, MN where she competed in volleyball from 4th grade through high school. She earned her degree in Child, Adult, and Family Services at Iowa State University and played intramural volleyball. Before moving back to MN this year, Alyvia was living in Phoenix, AZ where she coached a 5th grade volleyball team for one year. This will be her first year coaching for Orono JO volleyball. 

Madeline Moon

Graduated Wayzata High School in 2011 and competed in volleyball throughout middle school and high school. She attended UW Stout for apparel design before completing her AA at Normandale. Madeline is currently a paraeducator at Orono Intermediate School. She enjoys playing sand volleyball with her colleagues and youth group and snags any gym time she can at the OAC. When she isn't on the court, she is avidly cheering on her daughter and her students. 

Davida Suiter

Davida grew up on the volleyball court. Just down the road from her home was a JUCO national team. She rode her bike to their practices everyday and was the game ball girl with her older sisters.  She competed in JO Volleyball from 10U through 18U and was a 3-time varsity letter winner in high school. Davida refereed and supervised local middle school and intramural volleyball while attending Iowa State University. Davida and her husband, Jayme, have lived in the Orono School District since 2012 with their daughters Elise and Everly.  She was involved with the Orono Softball Association for 8 years as a coach and board member.

See team calendars below.

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 as that will give us the most accurate picture of team placement for your athlete. 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.
• Athletes will be required to commit to Orono JO Volleyball prior to team annoucements.
• Team announcements are made via email 4-5 days after tryouts.

tryout guidelines

tryout skill explanation

Orono JO Volleyball 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

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.