Yes there are some great 7th and 8th graders that can be bought up and play with the varsity girls. IMO start them in JV and if they are holding their own they should be given the chance to play varsity. BTW - They have to pass physical and emotional tests to be bought up to play. Yes it is difficult when the team gets together and your daughter is being driven by her mother instead of letting her be driven by a school friend.....That's the hardest part. But level of play - your daughter has to be an impact player and the team will welcome her. It's up to the coach to set standard levels of play and to back his/her decision up. If an older player is getting bumped by a player whom is better...well that's life. It's also life to be a parent watch her friends, parties etc. It is still up to the parent to say NO. If said 7th/8th grader has older siblings, they know a lot already.
The coach may also be trying to build for the future and may need to develop the team with future leaders.
The only sport where this is reversed is cross country - some upstate teams who win States are filled with the younger girls - however the burn out by the time they reach 12th grade.
Do you hold back a gifted academic student to regular classes when AP is more challenging up to level and a chance for the student to grow and learn? To you move them up so their growth potential is not stagnated?
It's a fine balance. | 
