Girls High School

Girls High School

We are VERY short of officials on most Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout the season . If you are blocked, but can help, please let us know and unblock yourself in Arbiter.

Please accept matches as soon as you receive them. Your name shouldn't show up if you're not available. Keep your calendars updated.

REQUIRED: All officials must submit an Independent Contractor Agreement and have a W-9 on file with MVOA for payment. Please see the Independent Contractor page in section #1 to complete these items by Monday, August 23. The timing of your payment will reflect your compliance with this requirement.

MSHSL Volleyball Updates

August 2021 Newsletter

Arbiter FAQs

  • Not getting game reminder emails? Check your notification preferences.

    • Log into Arbiter

    • Be sure Metro (104653) is selected from the upper right drop-down

    • Cilck the Profile tab

    • Click the Preferences menu tab

    • Check ALL of the boxes in the row of your email address

    • Change the default time zone to Central Time

  • Make your phone number public in Arbiter (video below)

Officials Registration/Training

  • What certification(s) do I need in order to work Girls High School Volleyball?

    • Officials need to be registered and complete all eligibility requirements with the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL).

  • What can I do to prepare for the new season?

    • The Arbiter MSHSL Central Hub has a Volleyball resource page with links to rules changes, and a recording of the August 2020 Zoom Clinic. Take advantage of those resources to prepare yourself for the fall season.

    • Hammer Sports is offering a pre-season training clinic aimed at new officials on Sat August 21. Details on our Home page and in the Event sent to the MVOA roster in Arbiter.

  • How do I register with MSHSL?

    • Watch the video linked in the button below, then go to the MSHSL Central Hub to register & complete eligibility requirements.

VIDEO CORRECTION: 16:58, Part Day Block END TIME should be the time you can get in your car to travel to the match NOT the time you can arrive at the site.

  • How do I know if I completed all MSHSL Eligibility requirements?

    • Watch the embedded MVOA MSHSL Registration video above for more information on how to complete requirements. Start around the 9:30 mark to see the example.

    • If you completed a required eligibility module, but your eligibility status didn't update after a day, forward the certificate that you received via email when you completed the module to Officials@mshsl.org and have them update your status manually.

  • I haven't taken the MSHSL Test yet, when can I do that?

    • The exam is scheduled to be available on August 8, 2021

    • The Printable version of the exam has historically been posted on the MSHSL Central Hub.

    • You can take the exam by going to the MSHSL Central Hub > click the Eligibility Tab > Click one of the volleyball icons in the middle section (i.e. State, Section, Regular, Student, Reciprocity) > Click "Take Test" in the top section.

    • August 25, 2021 is the deadline to complete the exam. TIP: Do NOT wait until the last day to do take the exam. You MUST have your eligibility ball on your profile in order to work matches and matches start August 26, 2021. Be sure to start the season of right by taking care of business.

  • I registered with MSHSL and watched the General Meeting, but I haven't attended the Volleyball Online Clinic, how do I do that?

    • The volleyball-specific online meeting is live on the Arbiter MSHSL Central Hub under the Eligibility tab. August 25, 2021 is the deadline to complete both the General and Volleyball online meetings.

  • I need to attend a 2 year in-person training clinic for MSHSL, is there one scheduled before the season?

    • YES! The MSHSL sends sign-ups for their in-person clinics through Arbiter on your SCHEDULE tab as an "EVENT." Click on the blue "EVENT" link in the far left "Game" column to view details about the clinic and check the box to either Accept or Decline the event to register.

    • This year's metro area in-person clinic is on Monday, August 9th at Bloomington Kennedy High School from 5-9PM.

    • There are also 2 options for live online Zoom clinics on August 12th & August 16th. Links to register for these clinics are NOT in Arbiter, but were sent via email by MSHSL on 7/29. Click here to view the MSHSL Clinic Flyer with those links.

Assignments & ArbiterSports

  • How much does it cost to join the Metro Volleyball Officials Association?

    • Nothing, zilch, zero, nada, = $0. MVOA does not collect dues from officials. Officials are not members of Metro Volleyball, they are Independent Contractors that apply to be hired and work events that are assigned by MVOA.

    • The MSHSL Fee Schedule for officials is posted on Arbiter Sports.

      • Log into Arbiter Sports

      • Select the "Official" link under Metro Volleyball Officials Association from the drop-down in the top right

      • Click the DASHBOARD > MAIN tab

      • The pay scale is listed in the Announcements

      • NOTE: There is a pay increase for the 2021 Girls Volleyball season!

  • I selected Metro Volleyball Officials Association as my association when I registered with the MSHSL, does that mean I'm guaranteed to be assigned?

    • No. MVOA makes roster decisions based on a number of criteria including eligibility, performance, character, need, location, availability, and more.

    • If you selected MVOA during your registration, but have never communicated with Brad, Debbie, or Robyn at any time in the past, it would behoove you to get in touch with one of us to introduce yourself so we know who you are, your goals for officiating and where you'd be most comfortable on the court. Our contact info can be found on the Contact Us page.

    • Not that Brad & Robyn don't love you, but Debbie loves you more, so your first contact should be Debbie.

  • What do I need to do in Arbiter to show my availability?

    • Log into ArbiterSports ASAP and mark your availability for matches for the entire months of August, September, October, & November under BLOCKS > Dates.

      • Add PART DAY blocks to ALL WEEKDAYS if you are unable to work matches that start earlier than the standard 5:30PM start time.

      • Your PART DAY block end time should be the time that you can get out the door and leave for the playing site.

    • Update your BLOCKS > Travel Limits for every day of the week.

    • Update your BLOCKS > Teams if there are teams or sites you would like to remove yourself from consideration for assignment.

    • Ensure your SETTINGS > Profile information is accurate, as this will be used for sending your paychecks.

    • Share your other assignments with us, select the Metro (104653) Official profile in the upper right drop-down, then click the PROFILE tab and then the Sharing tab. Make sure all items are selected in the left column. Select the other associations in the middle column and ensure that Metro Volleyball Officials Association is selected in the right column, then click the Save button.

  • How will I be paid?

    • All payments will be sent to you from Metro Volleyball Officials Association according to the payment terms on the Independent Contractor Agreement.

    • You will NOT fill out vouchers at the school or provide them with a W-9 when you are working a match assigned by MVOA. If you are asked by a school to fill in a payment voucher, please politely decline and alert Robyn ASAP.

    • Log into ArbiterSports and ensure your Profile information (including your address) is up to date as that is the address that will be used to send payment.

    • All officials working MSHSL matches through MVOA must fill out the MVOA Indepdendent Contractor Agreement and have a W-9 on file with MVOA prior to your first match. A new ICA is required each year on Aug 1 and covers you for all MVOA assigned matches between Aug 1 - July 31.

    • If you would like to be paid via Venmo, please fill out our Venmo Payment form.

Partner/School Check-in Procedure

  • Regular Season Check-in Steps

    • Arbiter sends an email reminder 5 days ahead of your match

    • Partners should use that email to check in with each other upon receipt

    • The R1 will check in with school 3 days ahead of the match

      • The R1 is the top official assigned on the varsity match in Arbiter

      • Be sure to confirm if one/both of you also has an earlier Freshman match

    • Schools will let MVOA know if no check-in is received 2 days ahead of the match

  • Tournament Check-in Steps

    • Debbie will send a tournament detail and procedures the week of the tournament and will designate a head referee

    • All officials should reply to the head referee with an email confirmation for the tournament as soon as they receive the tournament details from Debbie

    • The head referee will check in with the school 3 days ahead of the match

    • Schools will let MVOA know if no check-in is received 2 days ahead of the match

Match Level Formats

ALWAYS CHECK THE NOTES ON YOUR MATCHES FIRST TO GET THE ANSWER TO ANY QUESTION YOU MAY HAVE ABOUT FORMAT/TIMING.

  • When you see a single line with multiple levels that include Varsity. The start time listed is the start time for the sub-varsity match(es). The varsity match will follow 90 minutes later (i.e. 5:30 B/JV, 7:00 Varsity, or 5:00 JV, 6:30 Varsity)

  • B/JV/Varsity - 1 official for the B Match, 1 official for the JV Match, both of you will then do the Varsity Match

  • JV/Varsity - Typically this format is 2 officials for both JV and Varsity. Swap R1/R2 positions.

  • Freshman - Depending on the # of slots listed, 1 add-on early match prior to your B/JV/Varsity Combo

Uniforms & Equipment

  • What uniform do I need?

    • The MSHSL Logo Gray Shirt will be required starting the 2021 season.

    • You can purchase one locally at General Sports Braemar, 7505 Ikola Way #203, Edina, MN 55439 Or Contact Shawn Vallek at 612-925-4010, svellek@generalsports.us

  • Do I need to get a hand or electronic whistle?

    • Details for the 2021 season will be released when posted by MSHSL.

    • Links to known retailers can be found on our Uniforms & Equipment page.