When Does Volleyball Season Start?
Volleyball season dates depend on the level. High school plays in the fall starting in August. Club volleyball runs from December through June. College volleyball is a fall sport too. Here's a full breakdown of when each volleyball season starts, when tryouts happen, and how to get ready.
Volleyball seasons don't follow a single calendar. Depending on whether your player is in high school, club, rec, or college, the season could start anywhere from August to December. If you're a parent figuring out the schedule for the first time, or a coach planning your team's year, this guide covers every level.
Here's the quick answer: high school volleyball is a fall sport starting in August. Club volleyball runs from December through June. Rec programs vary but are most common in spring and summer. College volleyball plays in the fall.
Below, we go deeper into the exact dates for each level, when tryouts happen, and how to make sure your team has custom volleyball jerseys ready before the first match.
High School Volleyball
The biggest season of the year. Fall is game time.
Season: August to November
High school volleyball is a fall sport in the vast majority of states. Official practices begin in late July or early August, depending on your state athletic association's start date. Coaches usually hold conditioning sessions and open gyms in June and July to get players ready, though attendance at those is optional.
The first regular season matches are typically in late August or early September. The season runs about 14 to 18 weeks, including conference play, tournament invites, and the postseason. Teams play 2 to 3 matches per week, with most matches on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and tournament play on Saturdays.
Tryouts: Late July to Early August
High school volleyball tryouts happen at the very start of the official practice period, usually the last week of July or first week of August. Tryouts typically run 2 to 3 days. Coaches evaluate serving, passing, setting, hitting, defensive skills, and overall athleticism. For incoming freshmen, this is your first chance to make the team, so attend any summer open gyms offered by the program.
Most programs field varsity, JV, and sometimes a freshman team. Roster sizes vary but expect 12 to 15 players per team. If you don't make varsity, JV is a great development opportunity with just as many games.
State Championships: November
Conference tournaments and district playoffs start in late October. The state tournament, which is the biggest event of the season, is held in November for most states. The exact dates depend on your classification (based on school size) and state. State tournament weekends are intense, with multiple rounds of bracket play over 2 to 3 days. It's the goal every high school player works toward from the first day of tryouts.
Winter/Spring Exception States
A small number of states schedule volleyball in the winter instead of fall. If your state plays volleyball from November or December through February, your timeline shifts accordingly. Tryouts happen in late October or November, and the state championship lands in late February or March. Check your state athletic association's website for the definitive schedule.
Club Volleyball
The second season. Longer, more competitive, and where serious players develop.
Season: December to May/June
Club volleyball picks up right where high school leaves off. Once teams form after tryouts in October or November, practices begin in December. The competitive season runs from January through May or June, filled with weekend tournaments nearly every week. Most club teams travel regionally, and top teams compete in national qualifiers and national championships.
The club season is a grind. Expect 2 to 3 practices per week plus tournament weekends. Tournaments typically involve pool play on Saturday morning followed by bracket play Saturday afternoon and Sunday. Teams play 4 to 8 matches per tournament weekend.
Tryouts: October to November
Club volleyball tryouts are the most important event on the volleyball calendar for many players. They typically happen in a designated tryout window set by your regional volleyball association, usually in October or November. The exact dates vary by region, but most tryouts are clustered in a 2 to 3 week window.
Start researching clubs by September. Attend open houses and observe practices before tryouts to find the right fit. Club fees vary widely, from $1,000 to $5,000+ depending on the level, travel, and coaching. Tryouts usually cost $10 to $30. The offer process moves fast. Many clubs extend offers within 24 to 48 hours of tryouts, and players often have only a few days to accept.
National Championships: June/July
The club season builds toward national championships, held by USA Volleyball and other sanctioning bodies in late June and July. Teams must qualify through regional and national qualifying tournaments held in the spring. Nationals bring together the best teams from across the country and are a massive event, often held in cities like Indianapolis, Dallas, or Las Vegas. For many players, it's the highlight of their volleyball year.
Uniform Timing for Club
This is where uniform ordering gets tight. Club tryouts happen in October or November, teams form immediately after, and the first tournaments can be as early as December or January. That gives coaches a very short window to finalize rosters, collect sizes, and order uniforms. Place your order for custom volleyball jerseys as soon as your roster is set. Secondslide's fast turnaround helps, but don't wait until the last minute.
Youth and Recreational Volleyball
Shorter seasons, lower pressure, and a great introduction to the sport.
Spring and Summer Programs
Youth rec volleyball is most common in the spring (March to May) and summer (June to August). These programs are typically run by community recreation departments, YMCAs, Boys & Girls Clubs, or local sports organizations. Seasons are shorter, usually 6 to 10 weeks, with one practice and one game or match per week.
Rec volleyball is the entry point for most players. The focus is on learning fundamentals like passing, serving, and basic rotations rather than competitive results. Many programs are co-ed at younger ages, then split by gender starting around age 10 to 12.
Fall Programs
Some rec organizations offer fall volleyball programs as well, running from September through November. These are especially popular in areas where school-based volleyball starts at the middle school level and younger players want to get involved. Fall rec leagues are a great way for players in 4th through 8th grade to build skills before trying out for their school team.
Clinics and Camps
Volleyball clinics and camps are available year-round and are separate from league play. Summer camps run by college programs or local clubs are popular for skill development. Winter clinics help younger players prep for the spring season or upcoming school tryouts. These typically run 3 to 5 days and cost $50 to $200 depending on the duration and coaching staff.
College Volleyball
Fall competitive season. Spring practice and development.
Fall Season: August to December
NCAA volleyball is a fall sport. Preseason practice begins in mid-August, and the regular season runs from late August through late November. Conference tournaments are held in November, and the NCAA tournament takes place throughout December, with the national championship in mid-December.
Division I, II, and III all follow similar calendars, though the level of competition and scholarship opportunities vary significantly. NAIA programs also play in the fall with their own championship in early December.
Spring Practice: February to April
College teams have a spring practice period with a limited number of competition dates. Spring matches don't count toward official records but are used for player development, trying new lineups, and integrating incoming freshmen who enrolled early. Some programs also host spring tournaments or play alumni matches.
Recruiting Timeline
College volleyball recruiting has shifted earlier in recent years. Many Division I programs begin evaluating players during their freshman and sophomore years of high school through club tournaments and showcases. The key recruiting windows are club season tournaments in the winter and spring, and summer showcase events. NCAA rules govern when coaches can make direct contact, so familiarize yourself with the current recruiting calendar if your player has college ambitions.
Beach Volleyball
A growing option with spring and summer opportunities.
Beach volleyball is the fastest-growing segment of the sport, and it's now a sanctioned high school sport in several states, with more being added every year. The beach season runs from March or April through June or July, making it a spring sport that doesn't conflict with indoor fall volleyball.
At the college level, NCAA beach volleyball (also called sand volleyball) has its own spring season from March through May, with the NCAA championship in early May. It's a pairs format (2v2) rather than the indoor 6v6, and it's growing rapidly with more programs added each year.
Club beach volleyball programs are also emerging in many areas, running clinics and tournaments during the summer months. If your player loves volleyball and wants to stay competitive in the spring and summer, beach volleyball is a great complement to the indoor club and high school seasons.
Pre-Season Prep Checklist
What to do before volleyball season starts, regardless of the level.
Get the right shoes
Volleyball shoes matter more than in most sports. You need shoes with gum rubber soles for court grip, good lateral support for shuffling and diving, and cushioning for jumping. Running shoes won't cut it. Popular volleyball shoe brands include Mizuno, ASICS, and Nike. Replace them every season if you're playing competitively since the grip wears down.
Buy knee pads
Knee pads are essential for volleyball at every level. You'll be diving, sliding, and dropping to the floor regularly. Look for pads that fit snugly without sliding down during play. Bring them to tryouts since coaches want to see that you're willing to get on the floor for a ball.
Order uniforms early
Custom volleyball uniforms need 4 to 6 weeks for production and delivery. High school coaches should order in June for an August start. Club coaches need to move fast after October/November tryouts to have uniforms ready for December tournaments. Secondslide makes it easy with no minimums and quick turnaround on custom volleyball jerseys.
Work on conditioning
Volleyball demands explosive jumping, quick lateral movement, and the endurance to play long matches. Start conditioning 3 to 4 weeks before tryouts or the season. Focus on jump training (box jumps, vertical leap), lateral agility (shuffles, defensive slides), and core strength. Players who show up in shape have a major advantage at tryouts.
Attend open gyms and clinics
Most high school programs and clubs offer open gym sessions before tryouts. These are informal practice sessions where you can work on skills, meet coaches, and get familiar with the team culture. Attendance isn't mandatory, but it shows commitment and gives coaches an early look at your abilities. Take advantage of every opportunity to touch the ball before tryouts.
Complete medical requirements
High school athletes need a current sports physical to participate. Schedule this in June or July so it's done before tryouts in August. Club programs also require medical forms and USA Volleyball membership registration. Don't let paperwork keep you off the court on the first day.
When to Order Volleyball Uniforms
The timeline is tighter than you think, especially for club teams.
Volleyball uniform ordering catches a lot of coaches off guard, especially in club volleyball. The gap between tryouts (October/November) and first tournaments (December/January) is only a few weeks. Here's how to plan your timeline:
| Level | Season Starts | Order By |
|---|---|---|
| High School | August | June |
| Club | December/January | Immediately after tryouts |
| Youth Rec (Spring) | March | January |
| Beach | March/April | February |
For club coaches, here's a realistic timeline: tryouts in late October, roster finalized by early November, sizes collected by mid-November, order placed by late November, uniforms delivered by mid-December. That's tight, but it works if you move quickly.
Secondslide makes custom volleyball uniforms with fast turnaround and no minimums. Whether you need 10 jerseys for a club team or 50 for a full high school program, we've got you covered. Need practice pinnies for drills? We do those too. Matching shorts complete the look so your team is coordinated from the first serve.
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Practice Pinnies
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Frequently Asked Questions
When does high school volleyball season start?
High school volleyball is primarily a fall sport. Practice typically begins in late July or early August, with the first games in late August or early September. The regular season runs through October, and state championships are held in November. A few states play volleyball in the winter instead, so check with your state's high school athletic association for exact dates.
When are club volleyball tryouts?
Club volleyball tryouts are held in October and November, right after the high school season ends. The exact dates vary by club and region, but most tryouts happen during a designated tryout window set by USA Volleyball or regional volleyball associations. Teams form quickly, and the club season begins in December or January. Start researching clubs and their tryout dates by September.
How long is volleyball season?
High school volleyball season lasts about 3 to 4 months, from August through November. Club volleyball runs 5 to 7 months, from December through May or June, with national championships in late June or July. College volleyball goes from August through December for the regular season and NCAA tournament. Youth rec programs tend to run shorter seasons of 8 to 12 weeks.
When should I order volleyball uniforms?
Order volleyball uniforms 4 to 6 weeks before your first match. For high school teams starting in August, order in June. For club teams forming after October or November tryouts, place your order immediately after the team roster is set so uniforms arrive before the first tournament in December or January. Secondslide offers fast turnaround on custom volleyball jerseys with no minimum orders.
Is volleyball a fall or spring sport?
Volleyball is primarily a fall sport at the high school and college levels, with seasons running from August through November or December. However, club volleyball is a winter and spring activity, running from December through June. Beach volleyball is a spring and summer sport. So depending on the level, volleyball can span almost the entire year.
What do you need for volleyball tryouts?
For volleyball tryouts, bring court shoes with good ankle support and non-marking soles, knee pads, a water bottle, and athletic clothes you can move freely in. Volleyball-specific shoes are recommended over running shoes since they provide better lateral support. If you wear an ankle brace, bring that too. Some clubs ask you to bring your own volleyball, so check the tryout info sheet. Arrive early, warm up properly, and be ready to show hustle and coachability.
Get Your Volleyball Team Ready for the Season
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