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 (Indoor and Beach)

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.

IMPORTANT! STUDENTS ON THE PEP SCHOLARSHIP ARE ELIGIBLE TO PLAY ON OUR TEAMS. PLEASE CONTACT [email protected]!

Tampa Bay HEAT

Boys High School Volleyball

Tryout and Season Information

Teams:

Boys High School Varsity Team

Boys High School JV Team

Please note: If you have a boy volleyball player who is high school aged or 6th-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 that must be completed.

Tryout Dates (**Attend all tryout sessions):

Monday, 2/2/26

Wednesday, 2/4/26

12:30-2:30 PM

Practices begin February 6th

12:30-2:30 and will run every Monday/Wed/Friday same time until the end of the season in late April.

Tryout & Practice Location:

New Hope United Methodist Church

Life Center (Gym)

213 N. Knights Avenue

Brandon, FL 33510

Please register here is you plan to attend tryouts! You must be a current HEAT member to try out for our teams!

FHSAA Paperwork Information:

* The FHSAA paperwork is mandatory and you must complete before trying out. 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.

FHSAA Sports Forms

IMPORTANT! STUDENTS ON THE PEP SCHOLARSHIP ARE ELIGIBLE TO PLAY ON OUR TEAMS. PLEASE CONTACT [email protected]!

*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 your athlete can participate in tryouts.

JV Team Information:

Placement is based on their experience and ability, not their age. Since this will be a high school level team, boys who are middle school-aged should have experience and athletic ability.

Games take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays with a weekend (Friday/Saturday) tournament.

Season Fees:

JV team: $500 per athlete plus jersey. A $50 late fee will be assessed if paperwork is not turned in by the due date of 1/29. This will be set up for direct pay SUFS

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.

Games take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays with 2 weekend (Friday/Saturday) tournaments.

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.

Season Fees:

Varsity team: $600 per athlete plus jersey

A $50 late fee will be assessed if paperwork is not turned in by the due date.

This will be set up for direct pay SUFS

Fees include equipment, coaching, practice facility, home games, officials fees and insurance.

If your athlete needs a physical, contact Dr. April Lee at (941) 809-1706 to schedule. Paperwork assistance available at our January Open House on January 9th from 12-3 PM at the Tampa Bay HEAT Homeschool Resource Center at Centerpoint location. (1720 S. St. Cloud Ave. in Valrico)

Head Coach

Aaron Shepardson

Coach Shep: Aaron Shepardson has played and coached volleyball for 30+ years.

NCAA Division 1 Volleyball Coach for 17 years

NCAA Division 1 Beach Volleyball Coach for 7 years

18-Open USAV National Championship Coach

USA Men’s National Team Libero

Professional Outside Hitter in Europe & Indonesia

Multiple All-Conference Players

Husband and Father of 5

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

FHSAA paperwork must be completed and turned in before the athlete can tryout. Turn in paperwork by 1/29 and save $50!

Tampa Bay HEAT

High School Girls Beach Volleyball

Tryout and Season Information

6th-12th Grade

Teams:

12-14 girls will make the Varsity Team, all others can participate in the TB Heat Beach Volleyball Club (separate email will be sent out).

There is mandatory FHSAA paperwork that must be completed.

Tryout Dates (try to attend all sessions)

Monday, 2/2/26

11:00-1:00

Wednesday, 2/4/26

11:00-1:00

Friday 2/6/26 Practice Begins

11:00-1:00

Tryout & Practice Location:

Bloomingdale West Park & Recreation

3940 Canoga Park Dr, Brandon, FL 33511

Please register here is you plan to attend tryouts! You must be a current HEAT member to try out for our teams!

FHSAA Paperwork Information:

* The FHSAA paperwork is mandatory and must be completed before the athlete can participate in tryouts.. 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.

FHSAA Sports Forms

*New-to-HEAT athletes complete this list:

EL7 (including EL7V), EL2, EL3, GA4, EL9 with updated transcript with cumulative GPA* and age verification (attach copy of birth certificate).

*Returning HEAT athletes complete this one:

EL7V (page 3 of the EL7 form), EL2, EL3 and updated transcript with cumulative GPA. Winter/Spring athletes will also need EL9.

*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 your athlete can participate in tryouts.

Varsity 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.

12-14 girls will make the Varsity Team, all others can participate in the HEAT Beach Volleyball Club (separate email will be sent out).

Practice Schedule:

Mondays/Wednesdays/Fridays

11:00 AM- 1:00 PM

Games will begin the week of February 23rd

Season Fees:

Varsity team: $600 per athlete plus jersey

A $50 late fee will be assessed if paperwork is not turned in by the due date of 1/29.

This will be set up for direct pay SUFS

Fees include equipment, coaching, practice facility, home games, officials fees and insurance.

Beach Volleyball 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 the 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

Please text Jennifer Luttrell at 574-303-7285 or email her at jennif [email protected] with beach volleyball questions.

If your athlete needs a physical, contact Dr. April Lee at (941) 809-1706 to schedule.