Rockford F.I.R.E. Girls' Volleyball 

 2026 Volleyball Skills Nights Information

 All returning players and athletes interested in trying out for next season are encouraged to register and attend our F.I.R.E. Volleyball Skills Nights! Different from years past, Middle School (6th–8th grade) and High School (9th–12th grade) athletes will practice on separate nights. Each session will focus on one or two specific skills or positions, along with some conditioning. To help cover the cost of gym rental, there is a $5 fee per athlete per night, with a maximum of $10 per family per night. Payment will be accepted in cash or by check made out to "Rockford F.I.R.E." Please email us at rockfordfirevb@gmail.com to get the form link to register, so we know how many athletes to expect. Also, parents must complete a waiver at drop off of the first skills night. We’re excited to get back in the gym, grow together, and begin preparing for a great upcoming season. Our prayer is that these nights will not only help athletes develop their skills, but also build strong character, teamwork, and a community that reflects our faith both on and off the court. We can’t wait to see everyone there!  

At the Rockford F.I.R.E., our mission is to offer a competitive athletic experience that nurtures growth in ability, confidence, and character. Through practices, games, and shared challenges, athletes learn the value of teamwork, trust, and genuine fellowship with their teammates. While we strive to compete well, we continually remind our athletes that success is not defined by the scoreboard. What matters most is the attitude they bring, the respect they show, and the example they set. Our hope is that in every moment of competition, others will see Christ reflected in the way our athletes play, encourage one another, and carry themselves both on and off the court.

General Information and Eligibility: The F.I.R.E. girls' volleyball program is a faith-based program that requires and relies on parental involvement to help support and operate the season. We are a competitive program that provides instruction and opportunity for beginner athletes as well as advanced instruction for returning experienced athletes. If your daughter is a newer player, we strongly recommend skills nights and summer camps for them to get started on the basics. The level of play is determined by ability, not grade level. Player placement is per coach's discretion. A mandatory parent meeting will be scheduled after spring signups. All athletes must be at least 51% homeschooled and maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale). Once an athlete has been listed as a ninth grader, that athlete will be limited to the next four consecutive seasons of participation. A tenth-grade student has three more seasons of participation. An eleventh-grade student has two more seasons of participation. A twelfth-grade student has one season to participate. Any student reaching the age of 19 before August 1st, shall not be eligible for participation in Rockford F.I.R.E. sports. Once a student has graduated or gone through a graduation ceremony, he/she will no longer qualify for a Rockford F.I.R.E. sports team regardless of his/her age. Any student who is under disciplinary action and transfers from a public, private, or another home school program/co-op must wait one year before he/she is eligible to participate in Rockford F.I.R.E. sports. Sports physicals are required by all players and are only good for 395 days. Player sports physicals must be submitted to the team athletic director before the player can begin practicing with their team. Parents are responsible for working with the Athletic Director to ensure their athlete meets all eligibility guidelines and requirements. Failure to comply could render your athlete ineligible and put the program's standing in jeopardy for tournaments. By registering, you confirm that you have read and understand the eligibility requirements and that your athlete meets them. 

New families interested in playing for the Rockford F.I.R.E. are required to complete our application and interview process. The application can be found on our homepage in the red navigation bar at the top of the page. Tryouts may be conducted and are implemented at the coaches' discretion. Should tryouts be implemented, they will be announced held before practices begin. If tryouts are held and an athlete is not offered a position on the team (this is rare but could happen), any fees paid toward season registration will be refunded. Players may tryout prior to completing an application and interview but are encouraged to review eligibility requirements before proceeding.

Practices: 

August M, T, TH 5:30-7:30 PM 

September-October T, TH 5:30-7:30 PM 

Times and schedules are subject to change depending on the game schedule.

Fees: New for the 2026 season and foreseeable future, registration and athletic fees will be combined into a single fee for all athletes. This singular fee will cover will athlete enrollment related fees and all regular season games. Participation in some tournaments may require additional player fees; however, these opportunities are not guaranteed and depend on team interest and availability. Transportation, meals, and lodging (when applicable) are not included. A deposit is required at registration, with the remaining balance due at the start of the season. Late fees will apply to any balances not paid by the due date. Uniforms are provided on loan for the season at no additional cost and must be returned promptly at the end of the season to avoid replacement fees.   

Please note that the fees listed below reflect the 2025–2026 season and prior years. We are currently restructuring our fee schedule for the 2026–2027 season as we work to combine the registration and athletic fees into a single, simplified, and affordable fee for all. As always, our goal is to continue providing quality, faith-focused homeschool athletics at an affordable cost for all participating families. 

Middle School $325 | High School $400 

Fundraising and Donations: To help keep the program affordable for families, we welcome support through donations and participation of team fundraising efforts.

Middle School Head Coach: Melissa Nelsen 

JV Head Coach: Kevin Coke 

Varsity Head Coach: Rebecca Norcross 

Girls' Volleyball Athletic Directors: Rob and Christie Patrick 

Contact Information: rockfordfirevb@gmail.com