Elite Teams
Tryouts for the 2024 ELITE teams were held in July. There are a couple of openings available. Please email [email protected] if interested or to inquire.
What is an Elite Team?
Top Gun Elite teams combine the quality programming that Top Gun has always provided with top-notch, advanced training and high level competition, all with practices in the Howell/Brighton area. Practices begin in early December, require a greater commitment with more play dates, higher-level training, tougher competition and a longer schedule than traditional Top Gun teams, culminating with AAU Nationals in mid/late June.
We recognize that there are many different offerings available in the club volleyball market and know that you could spend more and travel further, but why? It is NOT our goal to spend all of your money on travel and hotels, nor all your weekends on volleyball tournaments but great opportunities are still available! If you want quality competition and training in an environment built on positive reinforcement and growth, confidence and whole-person development for your daughter, this is for you.
Top Gun volleyball believes that the development of the athletes involved in our program is paramount. You will not receive better teaching, training and development elsewhere! Our top coaches have all competed and/or coached at the collegiate level. As former high-level athletes, they understand the physical training, discipline, and mindset that is needed to help athletes reach their greatest potential.
While we understand the tryout date for these teams is early, Top Gun does not support the practice of holding tryouts during the high school volleyball season. Any athletic activity comes with physical risks and tryouts come with an added mental strain, as well. We firmly believe an athlete’s focus, both mental and physical, should be committed to her high school team during the high school season. With many club teams running non-stop tryouts, creating immediate deadlines and pressuring athletes into decisions, along with some being worried about finding positions, we have found it necessary to run this early tryout in the best interest of all involved. All traditional Top Gun teams will have their tryout in November at the conclusion of the school season, as in the past. See the tryout page in October for all the information for the traditional teams.
TOP GUN ELITE TEAM INFORMATION – Sample Schedule (20 Competitions Dates)
-Power League – Grand Rapids are – January/February (4)
-President’s Day Challenge (2) – Lansing/Detroit – mid-February
-Winter Blast or Great Lakes Festival (2) – Grand Rapids or East Side
-Motor City Madness or similar – East Side – mid-Apri
-VolleyFest (2) – Grand Rapids – end of April
-Can-Am Classic or similar (2) – May
-AAU States (2) – Grand Rapids area – beginning of June
-Nationals (4) – Orlando Florida – mid/late June
Final schedule will be determined once team is formed.
Training begins early December; Minimum of 4 hours training per week
All necessary uniforms are included; Cost is $2850.00. Installment payments are available.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ANSWERED HERE!
What is an Elite team? A Top Gun Elite team is a team that commits to staying together from December through June. The team plays in 4-5 tournaments in the winter season, 5 tournaments in the spring season and AAU Nationals in Orlando in June.
Are there more tournaments than a traditional team? The winter season starts with a power league consisting of four dates of generally a morning or afternoon wave of competition. The other winter tournament and all 5 spring tournaments are two-day tournaments similar to the MJVBA State tournament that many are familiar with. This equals ten weekend commitments over the course of the winter and spring season time period (as opposed to nine for the traditional teams). AAU Nationals is a four-day tournament later in June. This brings the total number of competition dates to about 20.
Are all tournaments in Michigan? With the exception of AAU Nationals in Orlando at the end of the season, all tournaments are in Michigan (or perhaps Toledo). No hotels are required, although there may be tournaments that you choose to utilize one to save on travel.
How are the tournaments different? In addition to being mostly ‘wave’ tournaments spread over two days, ‘up’ officials are often provided, tournaments are generally held at larger facilities and competition is more consistently challenging as opponents have committed to similar programs.
Why should I consider the Elite team? If you are committed to the sport of volleyball and want the maximum opportunity for competition and training, the Elite team is a great choice! To train with like-minded and similarly focused athletes improves the experience and elevates the level for everyone! If you want to play volleyball AND other sports/activities, the traditional team with less time commitment and fewer tournaments might be the best choice.
Can I play another sport and be on an Elite Team? As long as volleyball is your priority sport, it is possible to play another sport at the same time. For the best experience for everyone, it is critical that all members commit to and attend all practices and tournaments.
Do I have to pay all at once? We have a payment plan option that most families use. This includes a non-refundable first payment to secure your position and then monthly or bi-monthly payments to complete payment by the end of April.
Tell me about AAU Nationals: AAU Nationals is such an awesome tournament that I wish every athlete could experience it at least once! Three days of the tournament follows a ‘wave’ tournament schedule wit each team competing in either the morning or afternoon wave. The final day is single elimination bracket play. Teams often coordinate activities during some time off and other free time can be enjoyed on an individual basis. Many combine this event with a family vacation. Teams may decide to stay in the same resort or complex, although this is not required. Orlando is fairly easy to access and there are many options of affordable housing suitable for whatever type of accommodation your family is looking for. As the largest youth sporting event in the world and over 200 volleyball courts in action, AAU Nationals is quite a spectacle, a great opportunity to see different types of volleyball, compete against teams from other states and countries and is a tremendous amount of fun!
When are Elite tryouts? Elite tryouts for the 2024 season were held in July. There are still a couple of openings that will be filled in November tryouts. Please note your interest on the tryout registration form.
Please contact Jen at [email protected], if you have any questions.