FAQ
U12 - U16 CLUB TEAMS
U12: Players born on or after 7/1/13 (Usually in 6th grade) U13: Players born on or after 7/1/12 (Usually in 7th grade) U14: Players born on or after 7/1/11 (Usually in 8th grade) U15: Players born on or after 7/1/10 (Usually in 9th grade)
U16: Players born on or after 7/1/09 (Usually in 10th grade)
U12 - U14 tryouts will be on October 26 & 27, 2025
U15 - U16 tryouts will be on November 9 & 10, 2025
All teams will have one introduction practice the week of November 10, 2025, and 2x a week practices start the week of November 17, 2025.
Final practices will either be the week of April 20, 2026 or April 27, 2026 (based on team).
Final tournaments will either be the weekend of April 25, 2026 or May 2, 2026 (based on team).
Monday & Wednesday
6:00pm - 7:30pm
12-1, 12-2, 13-1
​
7:30pm - 9:30pm
14-1, 15-1, 16-1
Tuesday & Thursday​​
7:15pm - 8:45pm
13-2, 14-2, 15-2
Practices will be in Commers Gym at Visitation School.
2455 Visitation Dr, St Paul, MN 55120
Yes! Northern Heat offers a club experience that works for multi-sport athletes. Players are encouraged to attend all practices and competitions, but are not penalized for needing to miss a Northern Heat event for another sport.
We hope that players join this season with the intention to improve individually and as a team. This is best achieved by attending all practices and competitions. That said, we understand sick days, schoolwork, planned vacations, and additional sports may result in practice / competition misses.
Players will not be penalized for necessary misses (with a heads-up from the player or the guardian). However, coaches may need to adjust playing time if a player's misses are resulting in delayed skill development or court confusion.
If you anticipate your player needing to miss several practices, please reach out to club director, Molly McLaughlin, to discuss options.
We understand that players need real game time experience to grow their skills; therefore, all players will play in each match.
However, playing time will be largely decided by position / the rotation a team is running and is unlikely to be even between players. All positions in volleyball are crucial and we encourage players to focus on excelling in their position and viewing the team as one whole.
All club teams have one travel tournament that will require travel accommodations.
12-1, 12-2, 14-2 will travel to the Wisconsin Dells (4/11 - 4/12)
13-2, 15-2 will travel to the Wisconsin Dells (4/18 - 4/19)
13-1, 14-1, 15-1, 16-1 will travel to Des Moines, Iowa (5/2 - 5/3)
The other competitions will be in various locations throughout the Twin Cities.
Northern Heat offers a very intentional club volleyball experience through competitive and well-suited competitions, club-wide skill teaching based on the latest USAV coaching standards, and an environment focused on improvement and encouragement.
Teams are priced within one of three levels:
$2,650 (12-1, 12-2, 13-2)
1.5 hour practices, 5 playdates, 4 local tournaments, 1 travel tournament.
$2,850 (13-1, 14-2, 15-2, 16-2)
1.5 hour practices, 5 Molten Series playdates (more competitive), 4 local tournaments, 1 travel tournament.
$3,050 (14-1, 15-1, 16-1)
2 hour practices, 5 Molten Series playdates (more competitive), 4 local tournaments, 1 travel tournament.
Northern Heat's team fees cover a number of different aspects that make up a club season, including:
Season
x2 practices a week
10 competitions
Coaches
Each club team will have both a head coach and an assistant coach to ensure practices run smoothly and players receive individual attention and feedback.
Northern Heat prioritizes developing coaches, offering training and resources to ensure all coaches follow a club wide curriculum. Additionally, Northern Heat values our coaching staff and provides competitive salaries and benefits. Our coaches not only receive a monthly salary, but also have paid sick time and are provided a fund for team bonding/gifts.
Non-Tangibles
- Gym rental fees
- Team entry fees for competitions
- JVA club insurance
Player Package
- Jerseys (3)
- Spandex
- Practice T-shirts (2)
- Crewneck sweatshirt
- Warmup long sleeve T-shirts (2)
- Backpack
- Volleyball
- Whistle
Teams are priced within one of three levels:
Level 1 $2,650 (12-1, 12-2, 13-2)
Level 2 $2,850 (13-1, 14-2, 15-2, 16-2)
Level 3 $3,050 (14-1, 15-1, 16-1)
(U12-U14) Due by October 27, 2025
$500 deposit
(U15-U16) Due by November 10, 2025
$500 deposit
Due by December 1, 2025
Level 1 $430 payment
Level 2 $470 payment
Level 3 $510 payment
Due by January 1, 2026
Level 1 $430 payment
Level 2 $470 payment
Level 3 $510 payment
Due by February 1, 2026
Level 1 $430 payment
Level 2 $470 payment
Level 3 $510 payment
Due by March 1, 2026
Level 1 $430 payment
Level 2 $470 payment
Level 3 $510 payment
Due by April 1, 2026
Level 1 $430 payment
Level 2 $470 payment
Level 3 $510 payment
Families are also welcome to pay for their season in full.
The season fee covers every aspect of the club volleyball season with the exception of the travel accommodations for our 1 travel tournament (either Des Moines, IA or Wisconsin Dells).
Families can also expect tournament spectator fees charged by tournament hosts (~$5-$10).
FAQ
U12 - U16 TRYOUTS
U12: Players born on or after 7/1/13 (Usually in 6th grade) U13: Players born on or after 7/1/12 (Usually in 7th grade) U14: Players born on or after 7/1/11 (Usually in 8th grade) U15: Players born on or after 7/1/10 (Usually in 9th grade)
U16: Players born on or after 7/1/09 (Usually in 10th grade)
This season we have the capacity for 9 club teams and anticipate the following:
12-1, 12-2, 13-1, 13-2, 14-1, 14-2, 15-1, 15-2, and 16-1. Team offerings are subject to change based on the number of registrations in each age group.
Teams will have between 10-12 players based on the teams' needs and skill-level.
Teams are most successful when comprised of players with comparable skill levels and that will be the number one factor when forming teams. Coaches will also consider the position of the player and the rotation they plan to run. Please note that we encourage players to get to know new teammates and we do not take friend groups or former teammates into consideration when forming teams.
Cuts will be contingent on the number of players that try out at each age group, as well as relative skill-level.
Players will attend the tryout session for their age group on Sunday.
Sunday 10/26
U12 9:30am - 11:30am
U13-U14 12:30pm - 3:00pm
Sunday 11/9
U15 11:00am - 1:00pm
U16 2:00pm - 4:00pm
At the end of Sunday's tryout, players will be notified if they have made the Northern Heat program and a non-refundable deposit of $500 will be due before team placement. This deposit secures their spot on a Northern Heat team and will be the first month's payment. Players should then return the following day for team placement. Players who have been invited back after Sunday's tryout, and have paid their deposit, will not be cut on Monday.
Players unable to join Sunday's tryout may still have the option for evaluation on Monday, but their spot in the program will not be guaranteed. All players will be evaluated on Monday and teams will be formed by comparable skill level and a team's position needs. Players who only join on Monday may be cut based on availability after Sunday's tryout.
Monday 10/27
U12 7:00pm - 8:30pm
U13-U14 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Monday 11/10
U15 6:00pm - 8:00pm
There will be no team placement for U16 as we anticipate one 16s team. U16 players unable to make Sunday's tryout may be able to come for evaluation during this session if spots on our 16s team are available.
Players will either be divided into their teams by the end of Monday's team placement or will receive an email with their team placement on Monday night (based on the coaches' need to deliberate further).
We understand that tryout days can be difficult to navigate as players may want to try out for more than one club or may have schedule conflicts.
If players are unable to attend the tryout time-slot for their age on Sunday, they may have the option to do an evaluation during a different time-slot, or during the team placement the following day. Please reach out to director, Molly McLaughlin, to discuss options.
We value finding the right club fit for as many players as possible and players are welcome to tryout at Northern Heat if they have been cut from another program.
If players are unable to attend the tryout time-slot for their age on Sunday, they may have the option to do an evaluation during a different time-slot, or during the team placement the following day. Please reach out to director, Molly McLaughlin, to discuss options.
A player's season deposit ($500) is due after Sunday's tryouts and before Monday's team placement. This deposit is non-refundable and guarantees the player's spot on a Northern Heat team.
If a player is only able to join for Monday's team placement and offered a spot on a Northern Heat team, the season deposit will be due the following day.
FAQ
YOUTH LEAGUE
Northern Heat Youth League is for new players in 4th or 5th grade.
The Youth League is for beginners - players who are brand new to volleyball or who have participated in camps / recreation leagues.
Youth league will start the week of January 5, 2026 and practice through April 23, 2026.
There will not be tryouts for the Youth League. There are 48 spots available and it will be first come first serve once registration opens (October 2025).
There will be up to 4 teams and teams will be put together by age. Age groups may need to be combined.
Starting skill may be considered when forming teams to better ensure a productive practice / competition experience.
Practices will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:00 - 7:00pm from January 6, 2026 to April 23, 2026.
Practice will be in Commers Gym at Visitation School.
2455 Visitation Dr, St Paul, MN 55120
Northern Heat will participate in five, 2-match, playdates hosted by Northern Lights or MN Select. Schedule TBA.
Northern Lights
14050 Judicial Rd, Burnsville, MN 55337
MN Select
8686 Valley Forge Ln N, Osseo, MN 55369
No, Youth League players will rotate and play from all rotations in competitions.
Yes, Youth League players will share court time evenly.
Northern Heat's Youth League creates an intentional volleyball experience, presenting volleyball fundamentals and teamwork in a fun and encouraging environment.
The $850 season fee covers a number of different aspects that make up a the season, including:
Season
x2 practices a week
5 competitions
Coaches
Each club team will have a dedicated head coach that follows our club-wide standard for skill-teaching, ensuring new players are learning the sport correctly.
Our coaches not only receive a monthly salary, but are also provided a fund for team bonding/gifts.
Non-Tangibles
- Gym rental fees
- Team entry fees for 5 playdates
- JVA Insurance
Player Package
- Jersey
- T-shirt
- Long sleeve T-shirt
The Youth League fee is $850.
Deposit (1st Payment) Due Upon Registration
$250 payment
2nd Payment Due by February 1, 2026
$200 payment
3rd Payment Due by March 1, 2026
$200 payment
4th Payment Due by April 1, 2026
$200 payment
Families are also welcome to pay for their season in full.
Families can expect tournament spectator fees charged by tournament hosts (~$5-$10). Players do not need to pay admission.