FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
When do Activities Begin?
For incoming Freshmen, they begin in May at the Freshmen Volleyball camp. Check the calendar for specific dates. Incoming Freshmen are NOT able to participate in any High School events until the 1st Monday in May, per CHSAA. Current high school students are able to participate regardless of the date. Some open gyms may start as early as the first week of April.
Are Summer Activities Required?
Summer activities are not required, but it is highly recommended to attend if you can make them. Required participation begins at the August Mandatory Player and Parent Meeting, AFTER a player has been selected for a team.
When are Tryouts?
Tryouts occur in August, typically the Monday and Tuesday the week BEFORE SCHOOL STARTS. Tryouts for 2024 are August 12, 13; 5:00-8:00 pm.
When does the Season Begin and End?
Volleyball season starts in August as soon as tryouts are over and the teams are decided and goes through October, sometimes November.
When is Practice?
All levels practice 2 hours a day Monday-Friday after school every week of the season - as soon as the teams are posted. The times may vary due to other activities dependent on the team and coach. All players are required to be 15 minutes early to practice everyday.
How Much does it Cost?
There are several fees (detailed below). They are subject to change before the season. If you are experiencing financial hardships, and are unable to pay the below fees, you can get with the school and Boosters to discuss. The cost should not be an obstacle for a girl to play.
Jeffco Athletic Fee – $185.00 (as of 2023) - Paid To The School
Once a player has been selected for a team, this fee is uploaded to their Jeffco Connect fees account to be paid. This fee must be paid before the first game.
Program Fee - $195.00
Included in the program fee are clothing items that players do not return. This includes spandex, socks, practice shirts, warmup shirts and kneepads. Your daughter may play in her choice of court shoes. We do not require a specific shoe, they just have to be court shoes.
You can purchase additional socks, spandex, knee pads, etc if you like.
Spirit Wear - varies
DRHS logo clothing for parents, grandparents, aunts/uncles, etc is also optionally available.
Eagle Invitational - Appx $10.00
You will need to bring some sort of food item for the Eagle Invitational. The specific item will be assigned to you and cost approximately $10. Please note, all parents and all players are required to participate as well as bring a food item to the Eagle Invitational.
Volleyball Banquet – About $25/ person
Players are covered by the Boosters. This is an optional event but highly encouraged that you come cheer your daughter on. The coaches speak about each player. There are awards and dinner. Typically held in mid November. Check the calendar for specific dates.
Entry Fee to Watch Games - up to $6.00/person - CASH ONLY
Level 3 and Level 4 = Free
JV and Varsity = As of 2019 $6.00 for adults / $4.00 students. High School students with an athletics pass get in free to all Jeffco Events, regardless of home or away (tournaments, invitational and post season excluded).
Persons aged 55 and older and have the Lifetime Activity Pass also get in free.
Where Does the Money Go?
Jeffco Athletic Fee:
The Jeffco Athletic fee helps pay for Coaches' salaries, CHSAA Fees, Awards and Plaques, Athletic Trainers, Substitute Teachers for playoffs, Security, Officials, and much more.
Program Fees: This is NOT an all inclusive list.
Equipment - Bags, uniforms, nets, balls, Referee stands, score boards, other practice equipment and many other items requested by the coaches.
Referees and Gym Rental for Tournaments
Player Appreciation - The before season pool party, senior and parent appreciation nights, end of season banquet, homecoming, cancer awareness nights, are just some examples of the events that we hold where program fees funds are allocated.
Coaches / Players Banquet Tickets
How about Pictures?
Yes, the players will each have individual pictures as well as a team picture taken at the beginning of the season, typically at DRHS.
In 2019 we were fortunate to have wonderful parent volunteers to take pictures of our players. Those pictures were then uploaded where all players could download and print them - FOR FREE. We are so thankful for those parents, who took both amazing pictures and saved our parents hundreds of dollars by offering them to print for free.
We are in need of additional parent photographers. If you are willing to help with photos, please contact Boosters. Thank you!
Do I Have to Volunteer?
YES! The Boosters #1 goal is to let the coaches coach and not worry about other tasks that make a successful program. We need volunteers. You can volunteer or pay the volunteer trade off fee. There are lots of opportunities to volunteer; concession stand, line judges, score keeping, photography, homecoming week activities, Eagle Invitational tournament, Team Parent and more. Just ask Boosters how to help. We require families to participate with Line Judging, Score Keeping, Concessions, and Eagle Invitational. Players will be required to bring a "participation deposit check" to uniform checkout. This check will not be deposited or cashed, and once a family has completed their assigned activities (or has gotten them covered), and has returned all necessary player equipment in good shape, their check will be returned. If a family has not completed their assigned activities, or equipment is damaged or not returned, the check will be cashed. For more info on volunteering, click here.
How Do Players Get to Away Games?
Parents will be responsible for getting their player to and from away games. Players are welcome to carpool with trusted friends or family.
Typically, players must stay until Varsity has finished playing. Only players with prior permission will be allowed to leave before Varsity is finished.
Players must checkout with the assigned Coaching staff before leaving. This includes home games, to ensure the gym is thoroughly cleaned.
What are the Academic Eligibility Requirements?
There are academic eligibility requirements, which are decided by the Head Coach. If a player does not meet the guidelines, she is not allowed to play in a game, but she is required to come to practice, and may be required to use practice time as study hall. Please check the handbook for specific information.
What happens if a player misses practice?
Excused absences follow the same as Jeffco school policy - sickness, death in the family, etc. If a player misses practice, the coach will decide the consequence.
What to Wear
The coach may determine what shirts should be worn during practice. Players will each be provided practice shirts with their player packs, and if they've attended a camp, will have received a shirt there as well. Only Dakota Ridge shirts should be warn at practice, but defer to your coach if you are unsure.
Game Times
There are typically around 18-20 games per season. Normally half are away, and half are at home. Generally if a game was played away last year, it will be at home this year, and vice versa.
Start times for JV and Varsity depend on when the previous team ended. Varsity doesn't usually start right at 6:30. Typically, JV and Varsity will play back to back, while Level 3 and Level 4 will play at the same time.
However, some away schools, including Mullen, Lakewood and Valor, may play two teams at a time, example JV and Level 3 at 4:30, Varsity and Level 4 at 5:30. This will only ever happen at away games, so please check the calendar to ensure you don't miss the game you want to see.
Level 4 typically 4:30-5:30 - Auxiliary Gym
Level 3 typically 4:30 - 5:30 - Main Gym
JV typically 5:30 - 6:30 - Main Gym
Varsity typically 6:30 - 8:30 - Main Gym