Hello Arizona Volleyball Community—EVJ reaches a historical milestone as the 2023-2024 club season marks its 35th year serving the greater Phoenix Valley (and beyond)!

SOME HISTORY
East Valley Juniors has a rich tradition of excellence, dating back to its founding in 1990 as one of the first volleyball clubs in Arizona. EVJ is in its fourth decade of operation and is the cornerstone of the Arizona volleyball community as the oldest and largest girls club in Arizona. For generations, we have fostered a love of the game and helped players of all ages and skill levels reach their full potential. It is heartwarming to see former EVJ players coaching in the program, and many are now watching their own children compete on EVJ teams. EVJ is a family, and we are excited to continue to serve the Arizona volleyball community for many years to come.

ELITE AND GRASS ROOTS
At EVJ, our dedication extends beyond supporting elite athletes aiming to play at the next level; we are equally devoted to nurturing the grass roots of the sport. We strive to empower players at every skill level, whether they want to compete nationally and go on to play in college, improve their game to make their school team, or simply want to play in a well-structured and competitive environment.

Our servant leadership philosophy over the past four decades provides us with a unique ability to blend both Elite and Grass Roots talent/teams to ensure everyone has a place in the program. Our national program is well known throughout the country and has played in six (6) USAV national championship matches and nine (9) overall final fours, winning the gold medal twice, capturing four silver medals, and earning three bronze medals. Our top regional teams are renowned for fostering a high level of play, and consistently rank among the best in each age group winning a multitude of championships in the Arizona Region. With numerous national and regional achievements, our history serves as a testament to our dedication to the sport/community.

WHY PLAY AT EVJ?

• Our coaching staff provides unwavering commitment and countless hours of work in the gym.
• Our mission and the ideals of our program, demonstrate our continued dedication year after year.
• We have nurtured the winning combination of Elite & Grass Roots programs with a proven and verifiable track record of success.
• We are a renowned national program having guided over 340 players to play in colleges spanning from coast to coast, whether Power 5 or NJCAA.
• EVJ has consistently been a trailblazer in both club volleyball operations and competition in Arizona, setting the standard for excellence.
• We are a non-profit that is on solid financial ground due to our commitment to operational excellence and sound financial stewardship.
• We operate with a servant leadership organizational philosophy, where the needs of our families/players and staff are of highest priority.
• While the outcome of on-court victories fluctuates across programs, we steadfastly uphold the highest levels of integrity, hard work, and accountability at all levels.
• With deep roots firmly planted in our community, EVJ has established a dependable presence.

With club season right around the corner, we have been working hard behind the scenes and in the gym, preparing for another excellent year. We look forward to continued success at both the Tempe and Gilbert EVJ locations in 2023-2024, and we thank you for considering the EVJ family as your volleyball home.

Warm Regards,
Jen Leo, Club Director
Rich Leo, Director of Business Operations/Finance

Our EVJ-Tempe program operates teams out of Court One and our EVJ-Gilbert program operates teams out of Inspire Courts.

At any time during the year you can attend player development programs at either location, however, for tryout purposes you will want to focus on attending programs, including the open houses, offered for the selected club location of choice. You will be selected for a team and practice at the location in which you tryout.

The Arizona Region has established an Open House period for players and their parents to visit different clubs to help decide which club to try out at and join for the 2023-2024 season. The Open House period is typically the 10-day period prior to the specific age group tryouts. CLICK HERE for more information from the AZ Region regarding the *rules and policies as they relate to the open house period and tryouts. 

*The Arizona Region of USA Volleyball allows 3 open house sessions for each age group. For clubs with multiple locations, open house sessions must be offered on the same date within a certain time block to qualify as one session.

General Info ALL Teams

• In general ALL teams will practice two times each week for 2 hours (13s-18s national/T1/regional + 12 Elite) and 1.5 hours (10s-12s regional) with select Friday's utilized for individual skill training and play opportunities (except during Christmas break). 
• EVJ-Tempe @ Court One will mostly practice on Mon/Wed scheduled between 330-930pm.
• EVJ-Gilbert @ Inspire Courts will mostly practice on Tue/Thu scheduled between 400-900pm.
• Sports Performance Training is included for 13s-18s national teams and optional/available for 10s-18s regional/T1+12 Elite teams for a separate fee.
• NEW! Mindset Performance Coaching program (professionally led) is included for 13s-17s national team players. A separate comprehensive online video course/library is available to all other players for a separate fee.
• Uniform sizing typically takes place the day of tryouts.
• Team score/ref clinic for players held in December and hosted by the AZ Region.
• Tournament play starts in January.
• Extended season option offered to regional/T1 teams at an additional cost to the regular season.
• Court One has 9 HD streaming web cameras. Watch practices live! 

Additional Info National Teams ONLY

• Sports Performance Training is included before or after practice (optional for 12 Elite).
• NEW! Mindset Performance Coaching program is included (professionally led) (13s-17s).
• Each national player gets a subscription to SportsRecruits (14s-18s).
• Each national team has their own HUDL account to record games (13s-18s).
• Out of state tournaments include hotel for players/chaperones.
• EVJ has group air tickets to buy into for select travel tournaments.  Coaches will be on these flights.
• National teams play through post-season (June/July) as part of their commitment/contract.

EVJ plays in the Arizona Region of USA Volleyball. All teams will compete in one of three divisions, Open, Championship or Club. 

We offer three main types of teams:
National (Elite/Select, Tempe Only), 12s-18s
Travel (T1, Gilbert Only), 15s-18s
Regional (Navy/Green/White, Tempe & Gilbert), 10s-18s. 

• Every team is performance based, which means that an individual’s playing time is determined by practice and tournament performance (Futures program has a slightly different philosophy noted below).
• If a player attends practice regularly, works hard and demonstrates the ability to perform the skills necessary to play the game, she will be given the opportunity to play.
• When given the opportunity to play, each player must bring to the court the skills that she demonstrated in practice that earned the playing time.
• If play in the game does not match her success during practice, then she must rededicate herself on the practice court. This cycle can only lead to success for the team and the player.
• Playing time is at the sole discretion of the coaches as it relates to player performance and team strategy decisions.

CLICK HERE to see our 2023-2024 projected teams/staff lineup for both Tempe & Gilbert locations. Click on any team and be re-directed to the team page which has the projected 2023-2024 team schedule.

Age Groups 15s-18s
Travel teams typically carry up to 12 players. Exceptions can be made on occasion.

Each of these teams is highly competitive and will compete regionally as well as travel out of state to compete nationally (typically one travel tournament). Teams are also offered (optional) post-region play.

Age groups 10s-18s
Regional teams typically carry up to 12 players. Exceptions can be made on occasion.

Each of these teams is designed to compete at the regional level (the state of Arizona). Regional teams are also offered (optional) post-region play. Limited regional teams may add travel out of state.

NOTE> Futures teams (10s-12s) operate with more of an equal playing time philosophy. However, attendance, work ethic, and skill execution are still factors considered and playing time is at the sole discretion of the coaches as it relates to player performance and team strategy decisions.

USA Volleyball Junior Age Definitions
Your age group is determined by the age you turn between 7/1-6/30.

Thank you for your interest in EVJ Volleyball's Futures Program! The Futures staff, led by Jamie Rohme (Lead Coach with 23+ years of coaching experience), is highly qualified and motivated to work with your daughters to ensure a great learning experience. All of our coaches have extensive volleyball coaching and/or playing experience and believe in the worth of each individual athlete.

The Futures Program offers both National (Tempe Only) and Regional (Tempe & Gilbert) teams. CLICK HERE for a list of projected teams at each location. 

Jamie Rohme, Futures Program Coordinator

Thank you for your interest in EVJ Volleyball's 13U/14U program! Our coaching staff is highly qualified and motivated to work with your daughters to ensure a great learning experience. All of our coaches have extensive volleyball coaching and/or playing experience and believe in the worth of each individual athlete.

The program offers National (Tempe only) and Regional (Tempe & Gilbert) teams. CLICK HERE for a list of projected teams at each location. 

Thank you for your interest in EVJ Volleyball's High School Program! Our 15U-18U coaching staff is highly qualified and motivated to work with your daughters to ensure a great learning experience. All of our coaches have extensive volleyball coaching and/or playing experience and believe in the worth of each individual athlete.

The program offers National (Tempe only), Travel (Gilbert only), and Regional (Tempe & Gilbert) teams. CLICK HERE for a list of projected teams at each location. 

Casey Simon, HS National Teams Program Coordinator
Jordan Herrington, College Recruiting Coordinator

TO REGISTER FOR TRYOUTS PLEASE COMPLETE ALL STEPS IN THE FOLLOWING CHECKLIST.

Step 1: Join the AZ Region of USA Volleyball

• Whether you are a renewing member (previous AZ Reg/USAV member) or a new member (new to the AZ Reg/USAV and registering for the first time), log on to the SE MMS System. 
• There is a $65 fee payable directly to the AZ Region/USAV for the membership. 
• Once completed, print your membership card/number (7-digit #), this information is required in Step 2 below.

Step 2: Complete EVJ online tryout registration

• Register by clicking on the link below.
• Your 7-digit AZ Region Membership number will be required in this registration along with your Household SportsEngine email address (parent email you used to log in to your SE account to purchase your player's membership).
• $40 nonrefundable tryout fee ($50 if not registered on-line by 5:00pm November 3 for 10U-14U; or by 5:00pm November 17 for 15U-18U).  
• Everyone is required to register even if you cannot attend the tryout.
• You will be required to pay the tryout fee online at the end of this registration. No offline payment option is available.

Step 3: Please complete the following 2023-2024 forms (green text is linked).  These forms must be printed, filled out and turned in at tryouts:

Check-In Paperwork

• USAV Medical Release Form
• Concussion Acknowledgment Form
• Safesport Acknowledgment Form
• Provide a photo copy of your Birth Certificate (Only submit if you have not submitted it for AZ Region membership in a prior year)

Check-Out Paperwork

• 2023-2024 EVJ Club Participation Agreement (Please turn in at the end of the tryout when you accept a position on your team)

Step 4: Attend your tryout –tryouts are either at Court One in Tempe or Inspire in Gilbert.  

• ​Please wear standard activity clothing such as a t-shirt, gym shorts, athletic shoes, socks, and kneepads. Each participant will receive an EVJ tryout/practice shirt to be worn while in attendance at an EVJ tryout.
• Bring a water bottle for water breaks (no sports drinks allowed in the gym).
• Parents are not permitted to be in the gym during tryouts.  We will set up and meet with parents outside after the tryout begins.  Specific instructions will be provided in advance of tryout day.

A player's tryout registration will not be considered complete until the paperwork above is turned in the day of tryouts.  Please be sure to bring it all with you to tryouts.