YOUR NEXT SEASON STARTS HERE.

tryouts

Club volleyball tryouts are your opportunity to compete, connect with coaches, and show us your game.


Whether this is your first club tryout or you've been through the process before, our goal is to make the experience clear, organized, and welcoming.



Come ready to compete. Show us your game. Leave knowing what's next.

2026-27 TRYOUT DATES

Age Group Tryout Date Tryout Format Time
12U October 25 2-Hour Evaluation 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
13U October 25 Skills + Game Play 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
14U October 25 Skills + Game Play 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
15U November 15 Skills + Game Play 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM
16U November 15 Skills + Game Play 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM
17U November 15 2-Hour Evaluation 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM
18U November 15 2-Hour Evaluation 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM

All tryouts will be held at Spectrum Activities Center in Elk River, MN. It is located across the street from Spectrum HS.



All open gyms will be held at Kaleidoscope Charter School in Otsego, MN.

OPEN GYMS


TRAIN • MEET • PREPARE


Get in the gym with ACE before tryout day.



ACE Elite Open Gyms are optional, coach-led training sessions that give athletes an opportunity to train, meet ACE coaches, and become comfortable in the gym before club tryouts.


Open Gyms are not formal evaluations and do not affect team placement.

Age Group Dates Time
13U-14U Oct 20 & 22 6:30-8:00 PM
15U-16U Nov 3, 5, 10 & 12 6:30-8:00 PM
17U-18U Nov 4, 9 & 11 5:00-6:30 PM

All OPEN GYMS are located at Kaleidoscope Charter School in Otsego, MN.


NEW TO ACE?

Open Gym is a great opportunity to experience the ACE environment before tryouts. Come train, meet our coaches, and get comfortable in the gym.



No evaluation. No tryout pressure. Just get in the gym and play.

WHAT TO EXPECT AT TRYOUTS


COME READY TO COMPETE. GROW. ENJOY.


ACE tryouts give athletes the opportunity to show their game through individual skills and competitive play.


Tryout format and duration vary by age group. Athletes will participate in either a two-hour evaluation or an extended evaluation that includes both individual skills and game play.



Check your age group's schedule above for your specific tryout time and format.

EXTENDED EVALUATION FORMAT

*Applies to select age groups.


1. PHASE 1 | INDIVIDUAL SKILLS

  • 2 Hours


2. BREAK

  • 45-50 minutes


3. PHASE 2 | GAME PLAY

  • 2 Hours


The extended format allows coaches to evaluate athletes through both individual skill work and competitive volleyball situations.

WHAT ARE COACHES EVALUATING?


SKILL MATTERS. SO DOES EVERYTHING ELSE.


During tryouts, coaches will evaluate volleyball skills such as passing, serving, setting, attacking, movement, and defense.

But they’re also watching what happens between the contacts.


Effort
Do you pursue the ball even when the play looks lost?


Communication
Do you contribute to what’s happening on the court?


Coachability
Can you receive feedback and make an adjustment?


Body Language
How do you respond when things don’t go your way?


Competitiveness
Do you continue competing when things get difficult?


Teamwork
Do you make the athletes around you better?


Focus
Are you listening and ready when it’s your turn?

WHAT SHOULD I BRING?


COME READY TO PLAY.


  • Water bottle
  • Court shoes
  • Knee pads
  • Athletic apparel
  • Snacks / fuel
  • Positive attitude


Athletes participating in an extended evaluation should bring enough water and food to refuel during the 45-50 minute break.


Arrive early. Give yourself enough time to check in, get your gear on, and be ready when evaluations begin.


HOW ARE TEAMS SELECTED?


TEAM SELECTION ISN’T A RANKING. IT’S A PUZZLE.


Coaches are not simply ranking every athlete from first to last.


Team formation takes multiple factors into consideration, including:


Skill • Position • Athleticism • Volleyball IQ • Experience • Coachability • Potential • Team Needs • Chemistry


The goal is to build complete teams with the right combination of athletes, positions, experience, and developmental potential.


Because of that, a team placement should not be viewed as a ranking of an athlete’s value or long-term potential.



Athletes develop at different rates. One tryout and one team placement do not define a volleyball career.

TEAM ACCEPTANCE & DEPOSIT REQUIREMENT


Athletes who accept a position on an ACE Elite Volleyball Club team are required to pay an initial deposit to secure their roster spot.


Required Deposit Amounts:


  • National & Regional Teams: $800
  • Local / Short Season Teams: $600


Why is a deposit required?


Preparing for a successful club volleyball season begins long before athletes step onto the court.


Many competitive tournaments fill months in advance, often before club tryouts even begin. To provide our teams with quality tournament opportunities, ACE Elite must secure tournament registrations and make significant financial commitments well ahead of the season, sometimes before team rosters are finalized.


Your athlete's initial deposit helps cover two important upfront expenses:


  • Tournament Entry Fees: Tournament registrations often require payment months before competition begins. While deposits do not cover the full cost of tournament entry fees, they help offset expenses ACE Elite has already committed to in order to secure tournament opportunities for our teams.
  • Team Apparel Packages: Deposits also allow us to order uniforms and required team apparel promptly after rosters are finalized, helping ensure athletes have their gear before tournaments begin.


By collecting deposits when athletes accept their roster positions, ACE Elite can meet these early financial obligations and keep preparations on track for the upcoming season.


These deposits are an important part of preparing our teams for the season and ensuring athletes have the opportunities and equipment they need to compete.

ACE TEAM LEVELS


FINDING THE RIGHT LEVEL


ACE Elite offers different competitive experiences based on age group, athlete development, team needs, and available programming.

Depending on the age group, team opportunities may include:


NATIONAL

Higher competition level with a greater tournament and travel commitment.


REGIONAL

Competitive tournament schedule with a balance of development, competition, and travel.


LOCAL

A more localized competition experience focused on development and growth.


Team levels offered may vary by age group and season. Final team offerings are determined after registration and tryout evaluations.

TRYOUT FAQ

  • Do athletes need previous club experience?

    No. Athletes with a range of volleyball backgrounds may attend tryouts. Coaches evaluate current ability, athleticism, coachability, potential, and overall team fit.

  • Does every athlete make a team?

    Team availability depends on registration numbers, age groups, available coaching staff, roster needs, and facility capacity.

  • Should athletes try out for a specific position?

    Athletes should share their experience and preferred position, but coaches may also evaluate athletes in other roles based on skill set and team needs.

  • Can my athlete play another sport?

    Multi-sport participation may be possible depending on the team level, schedule, and commitment expectations. Families should review expectations before accepting a roster spot.

  • When will tryout times be posted?

    Exact tryout times will be published once schedules are finalized.

  • Will there be open gyms before tryouts?

    Yes. ACE plans to offer open gym opportunities leading up to tryouts. Dates and registration information will be announced separately.

  • Where are tryouts held?

    2026–27 tryouts are scheduled at Spectrum High School in Elk River, Minnesota.

  • How will families receive updates?

    Tryout updates will be posted through ACE Elite communications and the website. Families can also join the ACE mailing list to receive announcements directly.

YOUR NEXT SEASON STARTS HERE.


2026–27 ACE Elite tryout dates are set.


12U–14U • October 25
15U–18U • November 15