How do tryouts work?

2024 Program Registration Form

Athletes will NOT be allowed to try out until all program AND school registration items are completed!  Click the link above for the Program Registration.  School Registration for Fall sports opens July 1st. Find all school registration items and requirements here: https://cherokeetrail-ar.rschooltoday.com/ 

Try-outs take place over two to three days the first week of school.  Each player will receive a try-out number.  Student athletes will be objectively evaluated by the entire coaching staff.  Players will be scored on a 1-5 scale for passing, setting, attacking, blocking, serving, attitude (hustle, positivity, grit) and athleticism (vertical, agility, stamina, strength). 

Our coaching staff will make call back lists and post them at the end of each try-out day no later than 10pm.  The call back list will be posted on the website by player try-out number.  Only athletes ON the call back list need to return to try-outs the next day. If a player's try-out number is not on the call back list, they have been cut. Student-athletes who are cut are welcome to schedule a phone call with a member of our coaching staff if they would like to better understand our decision.  That call must be at least 24 hours but no more than 72 hours after the cut has been made.  You will schedule that call by emailing our coaching staff directly at Ctgirlsvolleyball@outlook.com.

If decisions have been made by the end of the 2nd day, the 3rd day may not be necessary and cancelled.  Final rosters will be posted by the end of the final try-out day no later than 10pm. Once a student athlete has been invited to join the program, they will not be officially added to our rosters until they have received, read and signed the player and parent/guardian EXPECTATIONS.

are parents allowed to watch player evaluations?

practice sessions including player evaluations are closed to anyone except the teams and coaching staff. this is an effort to prioritize our chemistry as a team and program and limit distractions or outside influences on training.

can parents get involved in ct volleyball?

there are multiple ways families can get involved including but not limited to being a program volunteer, booster club member and/or team parent. reach out to coach cornett directly if you are interested.

is it true that players need to play club volleyball in order to make a team at ct?

No. Don't believe the hype. Club volleyball is an individual commitment and may help enhance individual skills in the off-season, but it not required by this high school program. The main requirement for us is that players return from the previous season better than the previous season, and some club teams will do that better than others.

if my player doesn’t roster, do we get a refund of the participation fee?

Yes. the athletic department will issue refunds for all students that do not make the volleyball team.

are players allowed to play club sports during the season?

while athletes are allowed to participate in other sports, it is our expectation that the high school season is the priority during any conflict. Players are not allowed to miss or leave early from practice to attend a club event.

is there equal playing time at ct?

Playing time is the ultimate reward for any athlete. However, it can often be a sensitive topic when an athlete or family does not understand/agree with how playing time is distributed on the team. Coaches do not take the decision of playing time lightly. Much thought, analysis and planning goes into the decision making process. 

As an athlete, you compete with your teammates throughout the season to earn playing time. An athlete can request a meeting with the coaching staff to discuss playing time. During this meeting we will share our analysis and will provide constructive feedback.  

An athlete’s playing time will not be discussed with other families and/or players. Athletes and parents should avoid discussing, with others, the amount of playing time athletes receive. This type of discord is poisonous to team cohesiveness. 

Playing time is a complex mix of an athlete’s personal strengths and limitations, skill level, attitude, character, composure, physicality, grit, attendance, and work ethic. In addition, the team’s positional needs, statistical analysis, player tendencies, opponents’ tendencies, strategies, long and short term goals, team cohesiveness, player roles and the rules of the game are all taken into consideration. 

Ultimately, it comes down to our decision and what we feel is in the best interest of the program. 

what if i (as a parent) have an issue with programming (playing time, coaching, etc)?

At ct, we believe in fostering independence, responsibility, and accountability in our student-athletes. One important aspect of this development is empowering players to take ownership of their athletic experience, including communication with their coaches. If a grievance of any kind presents itself the following grievance process should be followed: 

First: The student-athlete is expected to approach their team level coach about any issues that may arise. Each player is welcome to invite a team captain with them if they so desire to increase their level of comfort.  In the event the player does not feel psychologically or physically safe, they may ask to speak with Coach Cornett directly.

Second: If the student-athlete and/or their family feel their concern has not been adequately addressed, they can request a meeting with the Parent/Guardian, the student athlete, Coach Cornett and the Athletic Director.  

how will my player get to games?

Transportation will NOT be provided by CTHS.  All participants are required to provide their own transportation to athletic events unless otherwise noted. Transportation to any team events will be at your own expense and risk. 

how can we follow team and/or individual player stats?

TMany stats, results, videos and pictures can be found here: https://www.maxpreps.com/co/aurora/cherokee-trail-cougar/volleyball/