Badger Region HP All-Stars

Badger Region HP All-Stars

Not familiar with the Badger Region High Performance All-Star program? Here’s just a few of the great perks:

  • Expose athletes to high-level college (NCAA and NAIA) recruiters who attend the international tournament.
  • Offer a college-like sports experience where athletes learn what it is like to be treated like an elite-level athlete.
  • Be a part of independent travel experience led by highly certified Badger Region staff and HP Coaches
  • Gain exposure to elite level coaching provided by the Midwest’s highest level club and college coaches.
  • Compete and train alongside other all-star caliber athletes from around the Badger Region.
  • Play against other all-star teams from around the country and the world

2027 Program Offerings

The Badger Region will be having teams in the following divisions at the All-Star Championships in Phoenix, Arizona:

  • Girls Youth Team — Formerly U17 (Born in 2010 and 2011)
  • Girls Select Team — Formerly U15 (Born in 2012 and 2013)
  • Girls Future Select Team — (Born in 2014 and 2015)
  • Boys Junior Team — Formerly U19 (Born in 2008 and 2009)
  • Boys Youth Team — Formerly U17 (Born in 2010 and 2011)
  • Boys Select Team — Former U15 (Born in 2012 and 2013)

For specific information (including coaching rosters) for the Badger Region HP All-Star program click boys here and girls here.

Athletes who graduated high school in 2026 or earlier are not eligible for the Badger Region All-Star program.

Every two years, the age definitions for what athletes are eligible for are updated by the FIVB – the international governing body of the sport of volleyball. These age definitions govern High Performance All Star programs across all Regions and USA Volleyball because the culminating event that takes place in late July is in fact an international tournament and therefore makes the age definitions consistent throughout the world. Therefore, the Badger Region must abide by these age definitions, which don’t allow for age waivers. Every athlete in the Badger Region is eligible for our High Performance All Star program for at least four (or five) years – so make sure to take advantage of this time when it’s your turn.

THE 2027 COACHING APPLICATION IS NOW OPEN. CLICK HERE

Who coaches the HP All-Star teams?

Individuals chosen to coach the teams are college coaches or elite club or high school coaches from around the Badger Region and must apply and be vetted by a Badger Region committee. Coaches for 2027 include:

  • Girls Youth Coaches: TBD
  • Girls Select Coaches: TBD
  • Girls Future Select Coaches: TBD
  • Boys Junior Coaches: TBD
  • Boys Youth Coaches: TBD
  • Boys Select Coaches: TBD

Why are the age divisions set up like this?

The FIVB sets up the birth-year based age definitions. In the US, age definitions are set up mostly by “grade in school.” However, other countries do not have the same school systems as the US, thus making the birth-year based age definitions a more level playing field. In addition, (think Olympics) in many international competitions, a team (or athlete) must qualify for an international championship in the first year of the cycle and then compete for the title in the second year of the cycle. We do not have to qualify for the USA All-Star Championships, but the model is set up in the two-year cycles just like other international events.

If my son or daughter is no longer eligible for any of the Badger Region age divisions, what other options does he or she have?

Some of the highest-level athletes may receive invitation to the USA Volleyball National Team Development Program and participate in such events as NORCECA Championships, FIVB World Championships and other USAV-based programs. Since those programs are only for the most elite of athletes, we suggest looking into elite-level collegiate camps at schools around the country. Competing in beach and grass events will also make the athlete a much better, well-rounded player.

2027 Tryouts

  • TBA

All tryouts take place from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Baird Center in downtown Milwaukee. Tryout fees are not refundable.

We have been told by many parents that even attending tryouts was valuable for their child to experience this type of high-intensity tryout and the competition it offers. If an athlete cannot attend an in-person tryout, video submissions will be accepted on a case-by-case basis. Registration is now open.

registration for tryouts is now closed

2027 Training Camps/Travel Teams

Both genders will follow this model:

  • Athletes will be brought to two different one-day training sessions. You must attend at least one training session to be eligible for the travel team.
    • Cost is estimated to be $150
  • After the two training dates, 11 athletes from each age group, plus alternates, will be selected to come to the overnight camp
    • Cost is estimated to be $325 for the overnight camp

What are the travel arrangements for the athletes who make the team?

Parents are responsible for dropping off their kids at the time and location that will be specified by the Badger Region staff. Essentially, this trip will be handled like a college program, where the Badger Region staff and team coaches are responsible for the team for the duration of the event. Parents do not need to attend this event.

If an athlete makes the final roster that travels to Phoenix, what additional costs are there?

Final costs are still being worked on as hotel arrangements are still pending. In the past, this cost has been between $650 and $900 per person. This cost includes all hotel (three or four to a room), a warmup shirt (to keep) as well program costs for jerseys, coaches, etc. The only other costs that athletes incur is the cost of food that they purchase at the grocery stores or at restaurants. Only a limited number of team meals are provided by the Badger Region. 

Do parents have to come to the tournament?

No. The Badger Region staff and its coaches serve as chaperones for the event. If the parents attend the All-Star Championships, they are allowed to take their son or daughter back home (or to another destination) at the conclusion of the tournament, after giving written permission. Parents are welcome to attend the event, but are asked to understand that the teams will be doing things as a group, so there are minimal, if any, chances to have “family time.” This experience differs greatly from a traditional club tournament where players go with their family when the team isn’t playing. During the All-Star Championship, it isn’t a vacation. It is expected that the team remains together, preparing for matches and taking care of themselves with sleep, hydration and food. There may be opportunities for parents to help coordinate team meals or a few events or outings, but that would be for the entire group at a time determined by the coaches.

Different rule sets

The USA Volleyball All-Star Championships serves as an opportunity for athletes to play under international rule sets, and allows referees training to become international officials the opportunity to officiate under such rules.

What are some of the key rule differences?

  1. The libero CANNOT serve. The libero is designated for the match
  2. Substitutions are limited (6 unlimited)
  3. Players not in the match must be in the warm-up box or seated on the bench.
  4. Only the head coach can stand.
  5. We play best 3 out of 5 sets. Usually, two matches per day are played.
  6. Simultaneous contact by two players counts as two hits.
  7. Players on the receiving team can move on initiation of serve

How does this impact athletes like those in the Badger Region High Performance All-Star program?

Because we only travel 11 players, it is vital that some athletes be accomplished utility players. A middle who can hit on the right side. Outsides and right sides who can hit on both pins. Liberos who can be worked in as a back-up setter if needed. Outside hitters need to play all six rotations due to the lack of substitutions allowed in international events. All of these are considerations our coaches must look at when building their final rosters. Also, because of the program goals and the limited substitutions, there will not be equal playing time. Playing time will be earned by attitude, skill and what the coaches believe is best for the team at that moment. No parental feedback on playing time will be accepted.

Looking back

2026 USA All-Star Championships in Columbus, Ohio:

  • Girls U15: Silver Medal
  • Girls U17: Bronze Medal
  • Girls U19: Bronze Medal
  • Boys U15: Silver Medal
  • Boys U17: Gold Medal
  • Boys U19: Silver Medal

2025 USA All-Star Championships in Madison, Wis:

  • Girls U13: Fifth place
  • Girls U15: Bronze Medal
  • Girls U17: Bronze Medal
  • Boys U15: Bronze Medal
  • Boys U17: Silver Bracket Champions
  • Boys U19: Fourth Place

2024 USA All-Star Championships in Des Moines, Iowa:

  • Girls U15 (Bronze Medal)
  • Girls U17 (Fifth Place)
  • Girls U19 (Bronze Medal)
  • Boys U17 (Fourth Place)
  • Boys U19 (Fourth Place)

2023 USA All-Star Championships in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.:

  • Girls U13 (Bronze Medal)
  • Girls U15 (Fifth Place)
  • Girls U17 (Fourth Place)
  • Boys U19 (Fourth Place)
  • Boys U17 (Seventh Place)

2022 All-Star Championships in Tulsa, Okla.:

  • Boys National Select (Fourth Place)
  • Girls National Select (Fourth Place)
  • Boys National Youth (Gold Medal)
  • Girls National Youth (Gold Medal)

2021 All-Star Championships in Orlando, Fla.:

  • Boys National Select (Bronze Medal)
  • Girls National Select (Bronze Medal)
  • Boys National Youth (Fifth Place)
  • Girls International Youth (Fifth Place)

2019 High Performance Championships in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.:

  • Boys National Select (Silver Medal)
  • Girls National Select (Bronze Medal)
  • Boys National Youth (Fourth Place)
  • Girls International Youth (Eighth Place)

Other top finishes:

  • 2016: Girls National Select (bronze medal) in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
  • 2015: Girls International Youth (bronze medal) in Des Moines, Iowa
  • 2010: Girls National Select (gold medal) in Wisconsin Dells
  • 2010: Boys National Youth (gold medal) in Wisconsin Dells
  • 2010: Girls International Youth (silver medal) in Wisconsin Dells

Previous locations in the recent past:

Phoenix (2027), Columbus, (2026), Madison (2025), Des Moines (2024), Fort Lauderdale (2023), Tulsa (2022), Orlando (2021), Fort Lauderdale (2019), Tulsa (2018), Fort Lauderdale (2017), Fort Lauderdale (2016), Des Moines (2015), Tulsa (2014), Fort Lauderdale (2013), Des Moines (2012), Tucson (2011) and Wisconsin Dells (2010)