Get ready for a day of fun, sun and volleyball as the NSU volleyball program is set to host its semi-annual Landshark Grass Volleyball tournament on Feb. 24, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the NSU Soccer Complex.
The tournament began three years ago as a fundraiser and as an opportunity to spread awareness about the Sharks’ volleyball program. All proceeds raised through registration will be used for the team to buy better equipment. Head Coach Steve Wilcosky expects 40 teams to register and for the program to raise around $2,500.
The tournament will consist of two divisions: “competitive” and “not-so-competitive”. Both divisions will feature three skill levels, from “expert skill” down to “beach bum”. The team hopes to have levels that will fit anyone’s playing ability.
Wilcosky said, “Competitive is for the volleyball player who’s played in previous tournaments and has played at a higher level. The not-so-competitive is more for the recreation people who want to get out in the sun and who love playing volleyball, but have not necessarily played in an organized league.”
Every team, no matter which division, will play on a co-ed four vs. four team, with a max of five players on the roster. There has to be at least one player of the opposite sex on the court at all times. Players may register on more than one team, but not within the same division. Online pre-registration for the tournament will close on Feb. 21.
The Landshark Grass Volleyball tournament will consist of a morning session of pool play, followed by an afternoon session of bracket play. The pool play will determine who moves into the higher “Gold Bracket” and who will play in the lower “Silver Bracket”. Bracket play will be single elimination until each division has a winning team. Winning teams will receive various prizes, including beach chairs and gift cards to local restaurants.
The price of registration covers a four-match minimum, a tournament T-shirt and food. Junior level players, meaning anyone under 18, have a fee of $15 and all NSU students, faculty and staff will pay $20 when presenting their Sharkcard. Otherwise, the cost is $25 per player during pre-registration and $30 on the day of the game. Water will be provided, but there will also be snacks and other drinks — such as Gatorade — available for purchase.
There will also be a 50/50 raffle for a cash prize. Early registration tickets are $5 and day-of tickets are $10. There will be a total of three drawings, in which someone will win five, 15 and 20 percent of the money respectively. The other 50 percent of the money will go toward the NSU volleyball team.
Amy Hafner, assistant volleyball coach and tournament director, said that the event’s main goal is to increase interest in the volleyball community.
“We want more and more people to come out and enjoy the sport that we all love. When we’re out there, we also want to promote Sharks volleyball and get people out to the games,” she said. “It’s just a really fun day to get a lot of people out who love volleyball together.”
For more information, including registration, contact Amy Hafner at sharksvolleyball@nova.edu or visit nsulandsharkstourney.com.
