Girls High School

Girls High School

All officials must submit a 2022-23 Independent Contractor Agreement (Available August 1) 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 22. The timing of your payment will be reflected by your compliance with this requirement.

Need to report an incident?

Use the MSHSL Contest Report to alert them to any major issues that occur during your matches. This form can also be used to send praise for schools that go above and beyond.

Please also send us a note so that we're aware and can proactively address issues for the next crew.

Athletic Contest Report | MSHSL

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 other information. Take advantage of those resources to prepare yourself for the fall season.

    • Metro Volleyball is partnering with the MSHSL to offer 2 pre-season on-court training opportunities hosted by MN Select in Maple Grove. Dates are August 6. Registration links can be found in the MSHSL Training Dates section above.

Registration/Eligibility & Blocking Dates

  • How do I register with MSHSL & Block Dates in Arbiter?

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

    • Watch the MVOA MSHSL Registration video embedded on the right to walk you through the same registration process. This video also includes MVOA-specific information regarding registration & using Arbiter for assignments.

      • Use the timings below to skip to the section you'd like to learn more about:

        • 0:00 MSHSL Registration

        • 7:15 MSHSL Eligibility requirements

        • 10:41 MVOA Arbiter - Fee Schedule, Accepting Assignments, Blocking Dates, Travel Limits, Public Phone # & Sharing

        • 14:24 Blocking Part Days (those that CANNOT work matches that start before 5PM).

MSHSL Eligibility & Information from their Central Hub

  • How do I access the MSHSL Central Hub?

  • Where can I get a rule book?

    • Rule books are sent by the MSHSL on "odd" years (i.e. 2021, 2023). You should expect to keep your rule book for two seasons, so only throw out your old one when you receive a new one.

    • If you are a brand new official, the MSHSL should provide a copy of the rule book to you even if it's an "odd" year. If you don't receive one, ask them to send you one by emailing Officials@mshsl.org

    • If you lost your copy, you should be able to buy one from the MSHSL Store.

      • Or you can get an online copy using the NFHS Rules App for your mobile device.

  • 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.

    • Once you have completed all the required eligibility modules and the test, you will see a Volleyball appear under your picture in Arbiter under the PROFILE tab.

    • If you believe you have completed all requirements, but your eligibility status hasn't updated after a day, forward any completion certificates that you received via email when you completed the module to Officials@mshsl.org and have them update your status manually.

  • Do I need to send MVOA a screen shot of my MSHSL Eligibility ball?

    • No, we see your eligibility ball in Arbiter, no need to send us a screen shot.

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

    • The exam is scheduled to be available on August 8, 2022

    • 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 24, 2022 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 25, 2022. Be sure to start the season of right by taking care of business early!

  • 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 24, 2022 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.

    • Links to register for these clinics are sent via email by MSHSL & listed in the Training section above.

Uniforms & Equipment

  • What uniform do I need?

    • The MSHSL Logo Gray Shirt has been required for varsity contests since the 2021 season.

    • You may 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

    • See our Uniforms and Equipment page for more information.

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

    • Click 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 on right)

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. Include specifics such as home team, match start times and that you will arrive 30 minutes ahead of the first match time. If for any reason you may be running late, please look out for one another and assist by starting warmups/coin toss for each other when needed.

    • 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

    • 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 tournament

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

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

      • Fees for the 2022 season are the same as the 2021 Girls Volleyball season. These fees were negotiated in 2018, prior to MVOA taking of the assignment of officials and were contracted for 5 years and go through the 2023 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 including weekends.

    • 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 Independent Contractor Agreement and have a W-9 on file with MVOA prior to your first match. A new ICA is required each year on August 1 and covers you for all MVOA assigned matches between Aug 1 - July 31.

    • If you would like to be assigned by Direct Deposit, please fill out our ACH Authorization form on our Independent Contractors page, Section 2, Step 2C.

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)

  • Arrival time for all matches should be 30 minutes prior to the listed match start time.

  • B/JV/Varsity - 1 official for the B Match, 1 official for the JV Match, both of you will then do the Varsity Match. The official listed in the top row in Arbiter is typically the R1 assigned for varsity.

  • JV/Varsity - 2 officials for both JV and Varsity. Swap R1/R2 positions between the two matches.

  • B - 1 official for the additional early match prior to a JV/Varsity Combo. Schools could consider this a 9th grade, B level or C level match. We don't discern this in Arbiter, to us, it's just an earlier lower level match, usually due to only have a single competition court.

Lower-Level "Early" Match Assignments

MVOA has transitioned to covering each school's top 3 level teams with a preferred schedule model of 5:30 B, 5:30 JV, 7:00 Varsity. If you are able and willing to work an earlier lower level match, schools have the option of partnering with Hammer Sports.

  • How can I be assigned by Hammer Sports?

    • Contact Heidi to get added to the Hammer Sports Arbiter tenant. They use self-assign, so you can pickup matches that work in your current varsity schedule or pickup matches on any open dates you may have.

  • Which schools are partnering with Hammer Sports?