Star City Sports, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation (further classified as a public charity). Star City Sports does business as Star City Volleyball (SCV). As a nonprofit corporation we do not make money from players. Our sole focus is to help players and teams achieve stardom and success.
SCV, as a formal volleyball club, was founded in 2016 by Jeffrey ("Jeff") Lapin. SCV is based in Lincoln, Nebraska, although we have players from other Nebraska cities and towns. SCV started out with two teams and has seen tremendous growth every year since. SCV primarily has players in USA Volleyball ("USAV") club volleyball. However, SCV does coach teams in YMCA Spirit volleyball.
To schedule a club tryout, go to: SCV Club 2025-2026 Tryouts
SCV is a better choice for many players than other local clubs for many reasons including:
- Players only pay actual costs & expenses such as a jersey, registration fees, location rental fees, and tournament entry fees. Players do not pay any coaching or administrative fees. In addition, players usually have their costs reduced if SCV receives money from sponsors or from the profit from tournaments we host.
- There are no commitment or tryout fees.
- Players are allowed to participate in other sports and activities during the YMCA and Club volleyball seasons.
- Players select when they are available to play in tournaments, which provides a lot of flexibility for other activities or sports.
- Players play actual club tournaments (USAV or JVA) and there is no set tournament limits.
SCV has five core principles:
- Players should able to play competitive club volleyball without costs being an obstacle; we therefore never profit off of our players.
- Athletes should be allowed to participate in other sports and activities while playing club volleyball.
- Athletes do not all not start with the same abilities, but, they can grow and develop with the sport. We look at both current skills as well as a player's potential.
- Athletes need to learn and display good sportsmanship, leadership, and teamwork as these are not only important in volleyball but throughout life.
- Volleyball should be fun!
GENERAL INFORMATION
Below is some general information about playing Club volleyball with Star City Volleyball:
Players start practicing in November. The Club tournament season runs from January to the end of April. However, players do not need to play the entire tournament season.
Players are only required to attend one two-hour practice a week. They are permitted to additional practices.
Players play in actual USAV and JVA tournaments. All tournaments are within driving distance to and from Lincoln in a single day (within 75 miles of Lincoln).
Players are permitted to participate in other sports and activities during Club season. Parents select when their daughter is available to play in a tournament so there is a lot of flexibility.
Tournaments for January and February will be selected shortly after the tournament schedule is posted. Additional tournaments are added as players have a better idea about their schedules as the club season progresses.
Unlike most other clubs, there is no limit to the number of tournaments a player/team may play. It depends on the availability of players/teams and tournament. The goal is for every player in at least 7 tournaments.
We understand that a lot of players may have had inexperienced coaches in the past. During tryouts, we look at both what a player can do as well as what we think a player can do with proper coaching.
COSTS & EXPENSES
There is not one set total price for playing Club for SCV. Club players only pay actual costs and expenses; there are no administrative or coaching fees. The costs and expenses are:
- USAV registration fee ($65.00):
- Jersey (around $40.00);
- Practice rental location fees; and
- Tournament registration fee.
Practice location fees are split equally among all club players, which are typically around $17.50 a month. Tournament entry fees are split equally among the players playing. Most tournaments cost $120.00 so if 8 players are playing, the cost would be $15.00 per player.
In addition, all players received some "credit" from tournaments that SCV hosted, which further reduced their costs. The average credit was $27.50 per player.
For the 2025 Club season, the average total amount, per player, was about $300.00. This included everything listed above and 8 tournaments. The most any player paid, after credit, was $336.04, which included everything and 11 tournaments including two tournaments that cost significantly more than the average tournament.
CLUB TRYOUTS
CLUB TRYOUTS
Tryouts for Club 2025-2026 for players not currently playing for a high school team will start beginning September 29, 2025.
Tryouts for players currently playing on a high school team will start in late October as their team's season ends.
To schedule a try out, go to our scheduling page: SCV Club 2025-2026 Tryouts.
Right now, there are only a limited number of tryout spots. We are working on securing more days, but have had some difficulty securing a location as two fell through. As soon as additional locations are secured, they will be added to our scheduling page.
Tryout locations depend on the day. Additional tryout times and dates will become available so if a time or date does not work, keep checking. If there is not a date or time that works, please email us at starcityvball@gmail.com.
Unlike most other clubs, there is no cost to tryout.
Depending on the day and how many tryouts are scheduled, a player may try out alone, in a small group, or be integrated with other players into a scrimmage. All players are evaluated individually based on their current skills, their potential, and how "coachable" they will likely be. Primarily, what we look for in tryouts in terms how "coachable" a player is whether the player is: likely to listen; learn; wants to improve; accepts feedback; and always puts forth 100% effort.
Tryouts are intended to last only 10 minutes; however, especially if they are involved in some type of scrimmage, the tryout may last longer.
Players only need to wear knee pads; they do not need to bring a ball or anything else.
TRYOUT NOT NECESSARY
Most players that played on one of their high school's JV or Varsity volleyball team will be accepted, without a tryout, provided there is room on a SCV team.
Former SCV Club and current Spirit players also do not have to try out although they are not guaranteed a spot on a Club team.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Only players in 4th through 8th grade are allowed to play YMCA Spirit volleyball. The YMCA Spirit season starts in September and ends the beginning of November. There are 10 games, each played on Sunday afternoons. SCV only participates in Fall Spirit Volleyball as the Spring season interferes with Club tournaents.
Players do not need to try out for Spirit volleyball. The only requirement is that the player has played at least one season of middle school intramural or YMCA recreational volleyball.
Players only have to attend one practice a week, which will last around 2 hours depending on the grade level.
YMCA SPIRIT COSTS
The only costs for YMCA Spirit Fall are:
- YMCA Registration Fee; and
- Jersey, which costs between $15.00 to $20.00.
Jeff Lapin is SCV's Club Director and Head Coach. Why does he coach? Jeff is a lawyer that has been representing injured, disabled, and abused clients for over 25 years. He has successfully operated his own law office for over 16 years, which has given him the opportunity to coach.
Jeff started SCV as he recognized a need for quality coaches that want to enrich their players, not themselves. Jeff is passionate and dedicated to helping players develop, improve, and succeed, both in terms of volleyball and in other life skills as well. He wants to instill in players integrity, an ability to self-motivate, teamwork, sportsmanship, hustle, intelligence, understanding their role, and what it means to become successful. Jeff's coaching philosophy is SMILES, which stands for: Smart, Maximum, Integrity, Learn, Empower, and Success. Some of Jeff's coaching principles include:
- Focusing on fundamentals: technical skills and tactics.
- Instill in players the desire to always put forth their best effort, to play smart, and to able to focus.
- Treating players with respect and make them feel important as individuals and as members of a team and a club.
Jeff is in his third season as the Reserve Coach for Lincoln Northwest High School. Before coaching a Lincoln Northwest, he coached volleyball, along with other sports, at Pound Middle School. Jeff also is both a NSAA approved volleyball and basketball refereee. In addition, he is a member of the YMCA Youth Sports Committee and referees other sports including soccer, softball, and baseball.
DONORS AND DONATIONS
Donations
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation (public charity), SCV can receive charitable donations. Donors may be entitled to deduct the donation as a charitable contribution. Discuss with your accountant/tax advisor.
Donors/ Sponsor Levels
SCV offers different donor/sponsorship levels:
- Platinum: $1,000.00 or more
- Gold: $500.00 to $999.99
- Silver: $250.00 - $499.99
- Bronze: $100.00 - $249.99
- Friend: under $100.00
