Athletics director recommends adding junior-high girls volleyball after strong interest

Athletics staff recommended that Manheim Township School District add a school-sponsored junior-high girls volleyball program beginning in the 2026 scheduling cycle to align with other Lancaster-Lebanon League schools and to preserve local playing opportunities.

Mister Hollenbeck told the board there is strong local demand: "A total of 71 girls tried out" for the existing club program and 44 participated last year, he said, and several neighboring districts have already moved to school-sponsored junior-high volleyball. He described renovated middle-school facilities that provide two practice courts and outlined projected first-year expenses for coaching stipends, uniforms (on a five-year replacement cycle), equipment (approximately $1,500), transportation (about $2,500), and officials fees.

Hollenbeck recommended hiring a junior-high head coach and assistant and running two teams (consistent with other junior-high sports); he also said the assistant coach would support the junior-high junior-varsity team and contribute to the high-school program when appropriate.

Why it matters: The proposal would create more official athletic opportunities for middle- and ninth-grade students and replace a club structure that the presenter said is eroding as other districts formalize junior-high programs. The item was presented for board consideration and will return for a vote per the district's process.

Board members asked clarifying questions about grade composition (junior high as grades 7'9), whether ninth graders currently play on high-school teams, and potential budget impacts; the finance director said she was not concerned about the projected costs.