The HEAT has an active volleyball program. We believe in training up our younger athletes to prepare them for our competitive high school program. Many of our athletes compete in volleyball at the club level and our high school girls program has advanced to the FHSAA State Series on multiple occasions!

Competitive Volleyball for 4th-8th Grade

4th-8th grade athletes compete on co-ed teams in the Tampa Bay Christian Athletic League (TBCAL). The season runs August through October. Games and practices are during the week (usually 2 practices and 2 games). 4th-6th grade athletes play at 3:30 and 7th-8th grade athletes play at 4:30.

High School Volleyball (Girls and Boys Teams)

High school athletes (younger athletes considered for some sports based on experience) compete in the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA). The season runs August through October. Games and practices are during the week (2-3 practices and 2 games) and games are typically in the evenings. There is mandatory FHSAA paperwork that must be completed (with strict deadlines) for FHSAA athletes. This is due before the season begins.

High School Girls Volleyball

We offer multiple levels of volleyball for high school girls.
Our Freshman team is for younger players who are transitioning from the middle school level. Talented middle school girls may also try out for this program.
The JV high school team is for girls who are still fine tuning their skills. They participate in games and tournaments during the season.
The Varsity high school team is our most competitive team. Athletes train and compete at a high level and participate in multiple tournaments during the season.

16th Annual
Tampa Bay HEAT Summer Volleyball Camps
for Boys and Girls!
July 7th-11th (Monday-Friday)
New Hope United Methodist Church
213 N Knights Ave, Brandon, FL 33510

Camp is open to boys and girls age 8 and up.
10:00-11:50 AM
beginner and intermediate players all ages will be divided by skill level and ages.
12:15-2:15 PM
advanced players who have participated in advanced middle school, high school, or club season.

Registration: $135 for non-HEAT members. $115 for HEAT members if registered and paid by June 25th. $120 for HEAT members if registered and paid after June 25th

Coach Fernando Saavedra Bio:

Fernando Saavedra believes the positive encouragement and support for his team players will provide the unity base that all teams need to be successful as one unit. He played for the Bolivian FIVB beach professional volleyball team in 98 and for national team for 3 years from 1997-2000. He competed at the Open beach level for over 15 years. He has been coaching volleyball since 2001. He was nominated as the national winner for positive coaching alliance in 2021-22 season

Coach Alissa Jergensen Bio:

•Grew up in Missouri
•Graduated at Utah Valley University with a Bachelors degree in Health Education
•Three amazing kids (Kate 7, Cooper 4, Braden 1)
•Married for almost 10 years to Brad, who is the boys’ volleyball head coach

Experience:

•Multi-sport varsity athlete– outside hitter in volleyball, point guard/shooting guard in basketball, ran short distance in track and played club volleyball throughout HS (2007-2011)
•Earned All-Conference and All-State honors in volleyball and track respectively
•Currently in 8th season of coaching high school volleyball:
—Varsity Assistant/JV Girls Volleyball Coach for five seasons, including being ranked top ten in the nation
—Varsity Boys Assistant Volleyball Coach for three seasons
•Coached four summer volleyball camps for athletes between the ages of 5-14 years old
•Seven years of coaching private lessons and clinics
•Owner/Area Developer of i9 Sports- Riverview, South Tampa

You can play for our HEAT teams and still qualify for the PEP scholarship!

Tampa Bay HEAT

4^th-12^th Grade Volleyball Tryout and Season Information

Teams:
Girls High School Varsity Team
Girls High School JV Team
Girls Middle School Elite Team
Co-Ed Middle School 7^th-8^th Grade Team
Co-Ed Elementary School 4^th-6^th Grade Team

Please note: If you have a girl volleyball player who is high school aged or 7th-8th grade that you feel is playing at a high school level and would like to try out for the high school team, there is mandatory FHSAA paperwork to complete.

High School Girls Tryout Dates (**Attend all tryout sessions if possible)
Wednesday, 7/30 from 1:30-3:30
Friday, 8/1 from 1:30-3:30
Middle School Elite Girls Only (for 6th-8th grade girls with experience)
Wednesday, 7/30 from 1:30-3:30
Friday, 8/1 from 1:30-3:30
Coed 4^th – 8^th Grade Try Outs
Aug 4th 10:30 am -12pm
Aug.6th^th 10:30 am -12pm

Tryout & Practice Location:
New Hope United Methodist Church
Life Center (Gym)
213 N. Knights Avenue
Brandon, FL 33510

High School Girls Volleyball

FHSAA Paperwork Information:
* The FHSAA paperwork is mandatory and has a strict deadline of July 25th.
There are forms to go to the county and a physical is required, so do not wait until the last minute to complete! You cannot tryout for the team until paperwork has been submitted.

MANDATORY FHSAA FORMS (only needed for high school level teams) are available as supplemental forms on the receipt you will receive from Active when you register. You must print, complete, and upload to your Active account before tryouts!

*Paperwork help:
There is mandatory FHSAA paperwork that must be completed to participate in high school-level sports. This must be completed and submitted before the first practice.
Please see the flyer at the bottom of this email for dates and times for paperwork assistance.

Varsity Team Information:
Placement is based on their experience and ability, not their age. Varsity athletes are expected to be advanced in their technical skill and in their game knowledge.

Tryouts:
High School Girls Tryout Dates (**Attend all tryout sessions if possible)
Wednesday, 7/30 from 1:30-3:30
Friday, 8/1 from 1:30-3:30

Practice Schedule:
Mondays/Wednesdays/Fridays
1:30-3:30 PM

Game Schedule:
Be prepared to have a match on every Tuesday and Thursday, beginning the week of 8/19. We currently have 2 varsity tournaments scheduled.

Season Fees:
$50 discount available to those who have their FHSAA paperwork completed and submitted by the July 25th deadline!
Varsity team: $600 per athlete ($550 with paperwork discount)
Fees include equipment, coaching, practice facility, home games, officials fees and insurance. Athletes will need to purchase a personal uniform if they do not have one.. You may pay the season fees after tryouts in full or by online payment plan.

Post-Season Information:
The Varsity team has a post-season beginning with the District Tournament and ending with the State Championship. Only the District tournament is guaranteed. All future matches are contingent upon winning the current round.

High School Girls Varsity Coach Fernando Saavedra Bio:
Fernando Saavedra believes the positive encouragement and support for his team players will provide the unity base that all teams need to be successful as one unit. He played for the Bolivian FIVB beach professional volleyball team in 98 and for national team for 3 years from 1997-2000. He competed at the Open beach level for over 15 years. He has been coaching volleyball since 2001. He was nominated as the national winner for positive coaching alliance in 2021-22 season

JV High School Team Information:
Placement is based on their experience and ability, not their age. Since this will be a high school level team, girls who are middle school aged should have experience and athletic ability.

Tryouts:
High School Girls Tryout Dates (**Attend all tryout sessions if possible)
Wednesday, 7/30 from 1:30-3:30
Friday, 8/1 from 1:30-3:30

Practice Schedule:
Mondays/Wednesdays/Fridays
1:30-3:30 PM

Game Schedule:
Be prepared to have a match on every Tuesday and Thursday, beginning the week of 8/19 and ending 10/15. The JV team does not have a post-season. We currently have 1 JV tournament on the schedule.

Season Fees:
$50 discount available to those who have their FHSAA paperwork completed and submitted by the July 25th deadline!
JV team: $500 per athlete ($450 with paperwork discount)

Fees include equipment, coaching, practice facility, home games, officials fees and insurance. Athletes will need to purchase a personal uniform if they do not have one.. You may pay the season fees after tryouts in full or by online payment plan.

High School JV Girls Coach Michaela Karrick

“I hope to foster my players’ love for volleyball and help create a passion for staying healthy and active throughout their life. I believe that hustle, dedication, and positivity make for an amazing athlete. In order to be successful as a team, I believe that teammates should be there and lift up their teammates while pushing them to be better.”

Played at Columbia College 2017-2019
Played at Saint Leo University 2019-2020
2x Conference Champions and 1x National Championship Appearance
Assistant Coach at Saint Leo University 2021
HEAT Elite Team 2025

Middle School Girls Only Elite Team:
Girls in 6th-8th grade with experience who are interested in higher level competition and more time invested in volleyball are invited to try out for this program. The Elite Team will compete against middle school teams from the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) schools that our high school teams play. They will play on the same days/location as our high school girls (but not as many games)

Tryouts:
Wednesday, 7/30 from 1:30-3:30
Friday, 8/1 from 1:30-3:30
If you can’t make these dates, please email tampabayheat@gmail.com to make other arrangements..
Starting August 4th, practices will be Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 12-1:30 PM.

Season registration is $330. Volleyball has significant facility and officials fees that we must cover with registration fees.
Athletes will need to purchase a personal uniform if they do not have one and wear appropriate length black shorts and knee pads (if desired).

Coach Michaela Karrick

Played at Columbia College 2017-2019
Played at Saint Leo University 2019-2020
2x Conference Champions and 1x National Championship Appearance
Assistant Coach at Saint Leo University 2021
HEAT Elite Team 2025

4th-8th Grade Volleyball

Elementary Team 4th-6th Grade Team (co-ed):
This team participates in the Tampa Bay Christian Athletic League with local private and Christian schools. Game schedule will be decided at the league meeting in early August. Games should start the first week of Sept. Last year, the games were on Mondays and Thursdays with an occasional Friday at 3:30 PM.

Tryouts:
Monday/Wednesday Aug.4th and Aug 6th
10:30am-12pm at New Hope Methodist Church
If you can’t make these dates, please email tampabayheat@gmail.com to make other arrangements.
Starting August 8th, practices will be Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10:30 AM-12:00 PM until games begin and then there will be few practices.

Season ends in early October.
Season registration is $185. Volleyball has significant facility and officials fees that we must cover with registration fees.
Players will need to purchase a personal jersey if they do not have one ($30). This jersey will be used for all sports except for cross country and track.

Middle School 7th-8th Grade Team (co-ed):
This team participates in the Tampa Bay Christian Athletic League with local private and Christian schools. Game schedule will be decided at the league meeting in early August. Games should start the first week of Sept. Last year, the games were on Mondays and Thursdays with an occasional Friday at 4:30 PM.

Tryouts:
Monday/Wednesday, Aug. 4^th and Aug. 6th
10:30am -12pm PM at New Hope Methodist Church
If you can’t make these dates, please email tampabayheat@gmail.com to make other arrangements..
Starting August 8th, practices will be Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10:30 AM-12:00 PM until games begin and then there will be few practices.

FHSAA Paperwork is only required for high school-level teams!