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MPV CLUB DIRECTORS

Girl's and Boy's Club Directors

Dixie Loveless - Director

Denae Pruden - Director, Coach Development

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Club Leadership

Jodi Coats - Academy Director

Taylor Porritt - MP Power & Agility Director, Club Coordinator

[View entire Leadership Team here]

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MPV OVERVIEW & MISSION

Welcome to Mountain Peak Volleyball! Mountain Peak was formed to create opportunities for athletes to grow in the sport of volleyball, set goals to drive them to success, and teach athletes to develop their character to become outstanding individuals. Mountain Peak is a member club of Utah Girl's Club Volleyball (UCV), Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), and USA Volleyball (USAV).

Mountain Peak is led by our Leadership Team. The Leadership Team was established to help Mountain Peak stay aligned with its goals and objectives, while consistently and continuously pushing to develop and improve each of our programs every season. Additionally, the Leadership Team allows Mountain Peak to receive feedback from a variety of talented minds in the volleyball community that aspire to see the sport of volleyball grow and see athletes succeed in our community.

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Mountain Peak Volleyball provides athletes with high quality programming to pursue volleyball excellence. Our players are taught the importance of fostering a Growth Mindset and developing teamwork and communication skills with the ultimate goal of excelling both on and off the volleyball court (both now and in their future endeavors). Our highly trained coaches embrace the challenge of developing their athletes physically and mentally and strive to teach our PEAK values of Perseverance, Energy, Attitude, and Knowledge. Our Mountain Peak Family aims to have a positive impact on each and every member of our club and create a feeling of belonging and unity. We believe in our athletes and push them to accomplish their dreams and more.

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CLUB TRYOUTS

Mountain Peak Volleyball coaches and directors evaluate a large number of athletes during tryouts with a variety of levels of playing experience. Tryouts are broken into three parts. All participants are first physically tested (height, reach, approach jump, and shuttle run). Next, athletes are statistically and subjectively evaluated on their individual skills such as hitting, setting, passing, digging, and blocking skills. Then, athletes will be evaluated in live play situations. All participants have multiple opportunities to play in various situations. At the end of the tryout, the process for announcing teams will be explained to all participants. Mtn Peak Volleyball will make every effort to create as many teams as possible and place each athlete on a team appropriate for their skill level.

 

Participants accept their spot by signing the player contract and paying the deposit. The contract and payment are all online. Parents will need access to their e-mail accounts in order to receive team information. For our national teams, verbal commits may be required during the tryout process. Timely commits allow the club to make adjustments where needed as soon as possible and field competitive teams at every level.

 

Every athlete in the club is evaluated each year. Athletes are expected to come to the tryout ready to compete for a spot on a team. If any athlete has a physical or medical condition, they need to speak to a club director prior to the start of the tryout. Athletes are selected for Travel teams because they show potential, in the staff’s opinion, to help those teams compete successfully at a national level. In order to tryout, athletes must be registered with AAU. 

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ATHLETE EXPECTATIONS

Club volleyball is a commitment and a priority. Players are expected to attend all practices and games. If you must miss a practice, you need to call, email or text the coach prior to the practice.  Please notify coaches early if you have to miss. Although academics are the number one priority, homework and school projects are not an excuse to miss numerous practice or tournaments. Players must learn the lifelong skill of managing their time and priorities so they can get schoolwork done appropriately and still make it to their practices and tournaments. Please arrive at practice 10 minutes early to practice to ensure that there is an adequate amount of time to prepare and be ready to step on the court at the scheduled practice time.

 

Mountain Peak supports multi-sport athletes who compete in other high school sports. Players are not penalized for missing a club event for a high school athletic competition. However, it is essential and required that these athletes have quality and timely communication with their coach about any conflicts throughout the season. Athletes should inform their coach of their high school schedule as soon as it is released, preferably at least 2-3 weeks before the conflict occurs. Our coaches take significant time to prepare and plan practice each day, and we expect our athletes to show their coaches respect for their time and efforts. Absences that are due to conflict with other club sports may affect playing time in tournaments. Absences due to other required school events may be excused. All other absences are unexcused and are likely to affect playing time. Excessive unexcused absences may result in dismissal from the team as determined by the coach and club director. Players and their families will be notified and receive a warning if a player is missing an excessive number of practices for an unexcused reason. Our directors have a right to dismiss the player from the team if a lack of commitment and attendance continues.

 

As a player for Mountain Peak Volleyball, it is essential that each athlete understands that he/she represents their club, coach, and teammates at all times. Whether on or off the court, we expect Mountain Peak athletes to maintain a positive image that reflects the values of Mountain Peak Volleyball. Mountain Peak athletes are expected to:

1) Attend all practices and tournaments. If an athlete is not able to attend a practice, he/she is expected to contact his/her coach as soon as possible and as far as advance as is feasible.

2) Represent themselves to their coach. If an athlete is going to miss practice, has a question about playing time, or wants to discuss other volleyball-related matters, it is expected that the athlete communicates with the coach directly.

3) Be a team player. Build up your team and make decisions that best benefit your team over yourself. Encourage your teammates and provide positive feedback and support. At the same time, expect your teammates to give their best at practice and help contribute to a culture of learning. Celebrate your teammates’ success and find ways to make your team better.

4) Stay focused, mindful, and display a strong work ethic at every practice and tournament. This is true especially in times of frustration, as these are the best moments for individual growth.

5) Always show respect to all teammates, coaches, parents, officials, and teams. Poor sportsmanship will not be tolerated.

6) Clean up after yourself. This means at practice, tournaments, cars, hotels, restaurants, schools, etc.

7) Be at practice ready to warm-up at the scheduled practice start time.

8) Remain at a tournament site until all officiating assignments are complete. Each player is required to stay until the entire team can leave. Do not ask the coach if you can leave early.

 

Practices are the time to improve skills and work on new concepts. Playing time for competition is earned. Players must earn playing time through hard work, a positive attitude, and performance at practice. Players pay to train, not to play. Practice is where the athletes learn and grow in skill development. Performance at practice helps determine tournament playing time. Athletes should have conversations with their coach if they are unclear as to what is expected in order to earn more playing time. In reaching our goal to educate players in life skills outside of volleyball, we feel it is important for players to create and maintain a good dialogue with their coaches regardless of age. During tournaments, each coach has the right to determine the line-up that he or she determines best suited to meet the goal of the particular level of participation. If a player does not, for whatever reason, fulfill their obligations on the court, it is the coach’s right to substitute them so that the team may achieve its goals. Players are expected to perform certain roles on the bench as well, which greatly contribute to the success of the team. 

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No foul language or disruptive attitudes during practice. Hair should be pulled back and out of face. Players are responsible for picking up trash and water bottles from the bench area after practice. Players are responsible for taking care of equipment used to facilitate the practice plan. No gum allowed while on the courts.

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Players will not have cell phones out during practices or games. Cell phone and social media usage have been proven to separate individuals from one another in a group setting. It is for this reason that during practices, tournaments, and team events that the use of these items may be restricted. Cell phones and other forms of technology used during restriction times that cause an interruption or separation from the team, or team activities will result in a player losing the privilege of using these items while with the team during the season. If cell phones are used during team bonding activities, it must be to enjoy positive benefits to uplift the entire team unit, and not used to separate one or more players from other players on the team. Because this is becoming an issue that detracts from the life lesson goals that this program strives to create, please be advised that players, parents of players, and coaches using social media (Twitter, Facebook, SnapChat, and similar media) to voice unsolicited comments/pictures or the like, pertaining to team strategies or personal attacks on the Mtn Peak Volleyball club, other players or parents, and members of the coaching staff or their families may result in the related player and/or coach being dismissed from the team, and all team activities associated with the team.

* I will not post any negative comments about Mtn Peak, coaches, or teammates

* I will not have any inappropriate pictures posted of myself or teammates

* I will not encourage peer mistreatment through social media or any aspect of life

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PARENT CODE OF CONDUCT

Parents will respect coaches, players, other parents and officials. Our coaching staff has not only played, but also studied the game. We understand that each player has strengths and weaknesses. We, as coaches, will do our best to recognize the strengths in every athlete and play them in a position where their strengths will show and provide the best results for the team. Also remember that practice is a time to improve and work on weak areas of the game.

 

If you feel you must discuss a concern with a coach, please refrain from doing so during tournament play. Instead, please set up a meeting to discuss your concerns. Please remember that the coaches need to be just as focused during tournaments as the players.

 

We believe that athletic competition should demonstrate high standards of ethics and sportsmanship and promote the development of good character and other important life skills. treat people with respect all the time and require the same of your children. Live and cheer with class; be gracious in victory and accept defeat with dignity; compliment extraordinary performance; and show respect for all competitors. Do not engage in disrespectful conduct of any sort including profanity, obscene gestures, offensive remarks of a sexual nature, trash-talking, taunting, boastful celebrations, or other actions that demean individuals or the sport. Treat officials with respect; do not complain about or argue with official calls or decisions during or after an athletic event. Treat coaches with respect at all times; recognize that they have team goals beyond those of your child. Do not shout instructions to players from the stands; let the coaches coach. Consistently exhibit good character and conduct yourself as a role model for your children. Exercise self-control; do not fight or show excessive displays of anger or frustration; have the strength to overcome the temptation to demean others. If you do not follow the parent code of conduct, Mtn Peak has the right to exercise the following:

1. Parent/Parents will not longer be able to attend practices or tournaments.

2. Immediate dismissal of player from their MPV team for the season.

 

GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES

Competitive team athletics, by its very nature, create an environment where athletes, parents, and/or coaches may not be in agreement with all decisions made. Knowing when and how to communicate with the coach or Club Director is a concern for almost every parent at some time during the season. Most often the concern is how to inquire about issues surrounding playing time. Athletes are encouraged to communicate with their coaches. Athletes are expected to discuss any issues concerning playing time or any other volleyball related subject with their coaches first before escalation is needed.

 

Coaches are not required to defend his/her thought process or conclusions at any time during the season. Coaches are instructed not to engage in controversial discussions during tournaments. If a coach is approached during a tournament, he/she has been instructed to politely decline to discuss any controversial matter or to refer the parent to a Club Director.

 

Parents and athletes are to adhere to the following grievance process:

1. The athlete meets with the coach to discuss the matter. If the matter is not resolved or the athlete has a reasonable concern about speaking to the coach, please proceed to step two.

2. The parent meets with the coach to discuss the matter. If the matter is not resolved or the parent has reasonable concern about speaking to the coach, please proceed to step three.

3. The parent meets with the Club Director. In certain situations, the Club Director may ask either the coach or athlete (or both) to attend the meeting.

4. All decisions and recommendations by Mountain Peak Volleyball Club and the Club Director are final and not subject to appeal.

 

The recommended time for a parent and/or athlete to meet with a coach is immediately after a scheduled practice. It is inappropriate for an athlete or a parent to approach other Mountain Peak Volleyball members about a problem the athlete or a parent is having with a coach, about objections to coaching, or administrative decisions. For the health of the teams and the Club as a whole, grievances must be handled via the grievance process outlined above.

 

Mountain Peak Volleyball strongly promotes fairness and believes in open communication. All issues and concerns are immediately addressed with the athletes well-being in mind.

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Appropriate Issues to Discuss with Coaches:

• Treatment of your child

• Ways to help your child improve

• Concerns about your child’s behavior

 

Issues Not Appropriate to Discuss with Coaches:

• Playing time

• Coaching decisions

• Other athletes

 

FINANCIAL COMMITMENT
As individual club dues are based on team fees, we must adhere to our budget. If a family decides to voluntarily withdraw from the club for personal reasons or is removed for violation of AAU, USAV, or Mountain Peak Volleyball rules, they will be responsible for the balance of their dues. Once the player contract is signed and the down payment is paid, the athlete is committed to the season with Mountain Peak Volleyball. Should an athlete withdraw before the season is over, he/she will not be entitled to any refunds of money already paid or still owed.

Failure to complete the payment schedule as agreed upon by the player contract can render the athlete ineligible to compete with Mountain Peak Volleyball until the balance is paid in full. Circumstances that prevent a player from participating such as injury, schedule, conflict, suspension, etc., do not dismiss the financial obligation to the club.

Club members have the option of paying for the entire club season upfront. Mountain Peak Volleyball will accept cash, check (made payable to Mountain Peak Volleyball), or credit cards (a service fee will be added). Monthly payments are due by the posted date listed on the payment plan. Any payment received after this date will be considered late and a late fee of $25.00 will be applied to the balance. Families with more than one child playing for Mountain Peak Volleyball Club will receive a $50 discount for each additional child’s dues for the season.

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UNIFORM & EQUIPMENT

Mountain Peak Volleyball will provide a uniform package to purchase for each club member. Each player is responsible for their own socks, knee pads, and shoes. Proper care of the uniform is each player’s responsibility. Parents are asked to review and follow the care instructions on labels to ensure that all the gear is in the best condition possible for the season.

 

All Mountain Peak athletes will receive several practice t-shirts. Mountain Peak athletes must wear an approved Mountain Peak practice t-shirt at all Mountain Peak practices.

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TOURNAMENTS 

Each team competes in tournaments throughout the season. One-day tournaments are on Saturdays and two-day tournaments are on Fridays and Saturdays. These tournaments last the entire day and are generally as close as our facility in Logan or as far as Springville. Travel teams will compete in some three-day tournaments.

 

The schedules and tournament location are not posted by the tournament director until around the Monday before and will be emailed to parents as soon as it is released. All players are expected to be in the gym, ready to warm up, at the arrival time
determined by the coach.

Officiating at tournaments is a shared responsibility for the entire team, regardless of playing time. If your team is officiating, other players may not leave the tournament site until excused by the coach. Mountain Peak athletes and parents are expected to clean up after themselves and maintain a clean space.

Players are responsible for their own transportation to and from any tournaments or practices.

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TEN COMMANDMENTS FOR PARENTS OF ATHLETIC CHILDREN

Reprinted from The Young Athlete by Bill Burgess

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1. Make sure your child knows that win or lose, scared or heroic, you love them, appreciate their efforts, and are not disappointed in them. This will allow them to do their best without a fear of failure. Be the person in their life they can look to for constant positive enforcement.

2. Try your best to be completely honest about your child’s athletic ability, their competitive attitude, their sportsmanship, and their actual skill level.

3. Be helpful but don’t coach them on the way to the gym or on the way back or at breakfast, and so on. It’s tough not to, but it’s a lot tougher for the child to be inundated with advice, pep talks and often critical instruction.

4. Teach them to enjoy the thrill of competition, to be “out there trying”, to be working to improve their volleyball skills and attitudes. Help them to develop the feel for competing, for trying hard, for having fun.

5. Try not to re-live your athletic life through your child in a way that creates pressure; you lost as well as won. You were frightened, you backed off at times, you were not always heroic. Don’t pressure your child because of your pride.  Athletic children need their parents so you must not withdraw. Just remember there is a thinking, feeling, sensitive free spirit out there in that uniform who needs a lot of understanding, especially when their world turns bad.

6. Don’t compete with the coach. If the coach becomes an authority figure, it will run from enchantment to disenchantment…with your athlete.

7. Don’t compare the skill, courage, or attitudes of your child with other members of the team, at least within their hearing.

8. Get to know the coaches so that you can be assured that their philosophy, attitudes, ethics and knowledge are such that you are happy to have your child under this leadership.

9. Always remember that children tend to exaggerate both when praised and when criticized. Temper your reaction and investigate before over-reacting.

10. Make a point of understanding courage, and the fact that it is relative. Some of us can climb mountains, and are afraid to fight, but turn to jelly if a bee approaches. Everyone is frightened in certain areas. Explain that courage is not the absence of fear, but a means of doing something in spite of fear of discomfort. The job of the parent of an athletic child is a tough one, and it takes a lot of effort to do it well. It is worth all the effort when you hear your child say, “My parents really helped and I was lucky in this respect."

 

 

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