The 2025 CMLSAA Volleyball Season begins on January 6 and must conclude prior to March 23, 2025.  William D. Pratt fields Junior & Senior teams for both Boys & Girls.  Grade 6, 7 & 8 students may play for either the Junior or Senior teams, while Grade 9 students are only eligible to play on the Senior Teams. Students in Grade 5 and Grade 6 students who do not make a school team may participate in our Mini-Mavs Volleyball Club.


CONFIRMED COACHES FOR THE 2024-25 VOLLEYBALL SEASON

  • Senior Boys Volleyball - Mr. Vahaaho (Head Coach) 
  • Senior Girls Volleyball - Mr. Howat (Head Coach)
  • Junior Boys Volleyball - Ms. Maxwell (Head Coach) & Mr. McDonald (Assistant Coach)
  • Junior Girls Volleyball - Mrs. Sihota (Head Coach)
  • Mini-Mavs Volleyball - Mrs. Strohbach & Mrs. Stobo


TEAM SELECTION PROCESS & PLAYING TIME

Tryouts are required, and our coaches will determine which student-athletes will be offered a position on the teams.  Prior volleyball experience is recommended, but not required.  Students in Grade 5 and those in Grade 6 who do not make the school team will be invited to take part in the 2023-24 Mini-Mavs Volleyball Program.

We will try to give everyone at least two tryout sessions before cuts occur.  However, student illnesses & family vacations may reduce this as we have a tight time frame before our first regular season games take place.  Students who will miss a tryout session should communicate with the coaches ahead of time. 

Team size is usually 12 players, but coaches can decide to carry less or more players on their roster.  All players will see a meaningful amount of playing time as opposed to an equal amount of playing time.


FIRST VOLLEYBALL TRYOUT SESSIONS

In order to balance out our first two tryout sessions, we will ask students in each grade to attend together to begin the tryout process.  After this week, students in grades 7 & 8 will be directed to either the Senior or Junior team tryouts, while Grade 6 students will be directed to attend the Junior tryouts or Mini-Mavs Volleyball.  As stated above, all grade 9 students will continue with the Senior team tryouts.

  • Grade 8 & 9 Boys - Tuesday, January 7, 2025 @ 7:00am & Thursday, January 9, 2025 @ 2:45 to 4:00pm
  • Grade 8 & 9 Girls - Monday, January 6, 2025 @ 7:00am & Wednesday, January 8, 2025 @ 2:45 to 4:00pm
  • Grade 6 & 7 Boys - Tuesday, January 7, 2025 @ 2:45 to 4:00pm & Thursday, January 9 @ 7:00am
  • Grade 6 & 7 Girls - Monday, January 6, 2025 @ 2:45 to 4:00pm & Wednesday, January 8, 2025 @ 7:00am
  • Grade 5 WDP students are not able to tryout for our school teams.  This is a rule that applies to all CBE schools.


VOLLEYBALL PRACTICE & GAME DAYS - SUBJECT TO CHANGE AS NECESSARY

  • Senior Boys will practice Tuesdays 7:00 to 7:50am & Thursdays 2:45 to 4:00pm.
  • Senior Girls will practice Mondays 7:00 to 7:50am & Wednesdays 2:45 to 4:00pm.
  • Junior Boys will practice Tuesdays 2:45 to 4:00pm. & Thursdays 7:00 to 7:50am.
  • Junior Girls will practice Mondays 2:45 to 4:00pm. & Wednesdays 7:00 to 7:50am.
  • Senior Boys & Junior Boys will play league games Wednesdays with possible start times of 4:30pm, 5:30pm, 6:30pm & 7:30pm. Each evening will have our team playing two matches. For example, we may play at 5:30pm and again at 6:30pm versus a different opponent.
  • Senior Girls & Junior Girls will play league games on Thursdays (and also one evening on Tuesday, February 11) with possible start times of 4:30pm, 5:30pm, 6:30pm & 7:30pm unless otherwise indicated. Each evening will have our team playing two matches. For example, we may play at 5:30pm and again at 6:30pm versus a different opponent.
  • Mini-Mavs Volleyball will run Mondays & Thursdays 11:44am to 12:20pm & Fridays 7:00 to 7:50am.  We may add a regular after-school session in the Aux. Gym once our wrestling season concludes.


MORNING PRACTICES & SCHOOL ENTRY

For morning sessions, parents should be aware that the doors will not be opened to student-athletes until 6:45am. Student-athletes, regardless of grade, will use the Main Doors for entry to morning practices.  Please remain onsite until doors have been opened and your child has entered the building. The doors will relock at 7:00am. Late arrivals may not be able to access the building until the doors reopen at 7:45am. Siblings & friends of our student-athletes should not expect to enter the building until their regular entry times.


2025 VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENTS (MAY BE UPDATED AS NEW OPPORTUNITIES ARISE)

In addition to our 2025 regular season schedule, our school volleyball teams have been entered in the following upcoming tournaments:


Senior Boys & Senior Girls teams:

 

  • “Wolverine Smash Party” @ Mountain Park School – February 6 & 7, 2025
  • “Marshall Springs Smash” @ Marshall Springs School – February 20-22, 2025
  • “Riverside Rumble” @ Riverside School – March 5-8, 2025

 

Junior Boys & Junior Girls teams:

 

  • “Sam Shaw Storm Classic” @ Samuel W. Shaw School – February 7 & 8
  • “Marshall Springs Smash” @ Marshall Springs School – February 20-22, 2025


We will also be reaching out to other schools in order to set up exhibition games in order to give our student-athletes more game experience.


VOLUNTEERS FOR THE SERVERY DURING HOME VOLLEYBALL GAMES

William D. Pratt School Council will be opening the servery to sell snacks to students and family members in attendance, on Volleyball & Basketball home game nights. Volunteers DO NOT NEED a valid police clearance or annual volunteer registration form. We encourage the Senior/Junior Boys & Parents to sign up to assist with the Senior/Junior Girls game nights and vice versa.