Welcome to Ironwood Ridge Volleyball! The great thing about being a Nighthawk Volleyball player is that you get to be a part of a program and a school that thrive on building tradition and excellence.  It means that you are committed to hard work and dedication on and off the court...  It means playing in front of some of the loudest and most supportive fans in the city...  It means playing against the best teams in one of the highest divisions in the State...  It means wearing the school colors with pride...  It means doing your best in athletics and academics...

It is a unique and special feeling to be a Nighthawk – being part of this program is a privilege and if you have what it takes to wear a uniform, we'd like to see you at the 2022 player evaluations.

PRE-SEASON INFORMATION

The volleyball Pre-Season will be the first three weeks of the official high school season (before competition) and will include the Player Evaluations and Team Selections in Week 1; followed by individual skill technique introduction and reinforcement in Week 2 and team systems and preparation in Week 3. The official start date for high school volleyball this season is August 8, 2022 and the first competition will be August 30, 2022 when the Nighthawks travel to face the defending 5A State Champions Horizon High School in Scottsdale.

Pre-Season Expectations

Volleyball is a team sport where everyone works hard together. The goal of the coaching staff is to place players in the best situation for the success of the program first, then each team, and finally, the players’ individual development. Competition for a team uniform, playing time, and/or a starting position will be intense. We believe that selection to a high school team is an honor and privilege.

If you’re at our level, then we would love to see you at the Volleyball Player Evaluations! ​

Pre-season volleyball begins on the official volleyball start date, August 8, 2022. ​

Athletic Clearance

All prospective student-athletes must be cleared through the Ironwood Ridge Athletic Office before being permitted to tryout for any sport on campus. Once all paperwork and parent signatures are correctly turned in, the Athletic Office will issue a clearance slip. Please bring this slip to check-in at tryouts.

Athletes without proper clearance will not be allowed to participate - no exceptions.

​Please be cleared by August 1, 2022 to avoid any unforeseen delays with the paperwork or requirements. Missing a significant number of sessions could adversely effect a student-athletes placement on a team... ​

Player Evaluations and Team Selections Schedule | TBD

The schedule for Player Evaluations is currently under review until we receive more information regarding the official start date for the Fall Season. In the meantime, please see the Google Classroom information below. ​

VARSITY TEAM CANDIDATES:
All current Seniors and Juniors; along with select Sophomores (by invitation only) will attend the following sessions.

• Session I: TBA
• Team Selections: TBA

SOPHOMORES:
All prospective Sophomore players will attend the following sessions.

• Session I: TBA
• Session II: TBA
• Team Selections: TBA

FRESHMAN:
All prospective Freshman players will attend the following sessions.

• Session I: TBA
• Session II: TBA
• Session III: TBA
• Team Selections: TBA ​

All players are expected to attend all Evaluation sessions until otherwise directed by the coaching staff.
Players (that are cleared on time) will receive at least three sessions of evaluation. ​ ​

Player Evaluation Criteria

Regardless of any pandemic that we're facing together, our standards and expectations remain the same for the Nighthawk Volleyball Program and the selection of student-athletes. Players must be willing to share a Commitment to Excellence on and off the court.

VARSITY CANDIDATES: Participating athletes must possess a working knowledge of offensive/defensive systems and terminology that is consistent with that of the Nighthawk Volleyball system. Athletes must also possess a level of athleticism, fitness, and technical ability consistent with that of a high level varsity players. ​ Team selections for the top players will be based on results from a Competitive Matrix that will score and rank each varsity candidate’s athletic ability and level of competitiveness. Further criteria will include the positional needs of the team as well as a Player Interview to discuss each candidate's character—meaning their conduct on and off the court, citizenship, commitment, and the candidate’s academic performance. ​

Academically ineligible players will not be considered for the Varsity team.

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JUNIOR VARSITY AND FRESHMAN CANDIDATES: Selection will be based mainly on the potential for improvement. The main criteria for each prospective player (in this order) will be: Attitude (it must be positive and competitive) Athletic Ability (including quantitative athletic testing) Positional skill and/or Potential The main criteria for our Freshman Team will be coachable players that have a great work ethic and possess the ability to learn offensive/defensive systems. Prior volleyball experience may help, but is not required.

Junior Varsity athletes must possess a working knowledge of offensive/defensive systems consistent with that of a typical varsity program. Athletes must also possess a level of fitness and technical ability consistent with of a mid-level varsity player. Other criteria may include the candidate’s academic performance and conduct on and off the court on campus. Academically ineligible players may not be selected in most cases. ​ ​

IRVB EXPECTATIONS

Please visit our volleyball website at nighthawkvolleyball.com review some of the expectations once a player makes the Ironwood Ridge Volleyball Team. These are obligations that are consistent with most high level high school teams.

Volleyball is a team sport where everyone works hard together. The goal of the coaching staff is to place players in the best situation for the success of the program first, then each team, and finally, the players’ individual development.  Competition for a team uniform, playing time, and/or a starting position at Ironwood Ridge will be intense, as will the expectations. We believe that selection to a high school team is an honor and privilege. ​

If you do not believe that you can fully participate in the Volleyball Program, please discuss your concerns with the coaching staff or reconsider trying out for the team.

The Ironwood Ridge Volleyball coaching staff will conduct all evaluations. Questions regarding the Player Evaluations or Team Selections should be directed to Head Coach Bill Lang at blang@amphi.com ​ ​