NMIVA hosts grass co-ed reverse v’ball

 The Northern Marianas Islands Volleyball Association is hosting the 5th Annual Coed Reverse Grass Volleyball Championship this  Saturday in Navy Hill.

Games will be played in a co-ed two-member team format, so interested individuals are requested to bring their own partner.

“This is a unique event where the nets are set at the women’s height, therefore male players can not hit in front of a chalked 10-foot line designated on each court, nor can men jump serve,” stated event organizer Tyce Mister on the NMIVA website.

The first 25 teams to sign up will be included in the competition.

The teams will be divided into five pools of five teams. The Top 3 teams in each pool advance to the 16-team double-elimination portion of the tournament, while a special wild card entry will also be given out to the overall fourth place pool finisher.

Game point for pool play is set at 15 with a cap limit of 21. The semifinals and finals matches will be played to 21 with a cap of 25.

Depending on the turnout, event organizers reserve the right to adjust the game scoring in order to fit in all the games on the three courts.

Various prize packages are up for grabs to the winners, while proceeds from the event will go towards the NMIVA Development Fund.

In his NMIVA letter, Mister also requested early confirmation from interested parties by Wednesday in order to have an idea of how close organizers are to filling its 25-team limit. Adult teams, aged 18 or older, receive precedent over youth pairs; however, youth players will be allowed to participate if space becomes available.

A late registration period will take place Saturday morning at 8:30am just before the games commence at 9am.

This event is open to the public. Entrance fee is only $20 per person and $15 per person for NMIVA members.

Last year, Mister and Melody Matson topped a 16-team field.

The duo defeated 2010 champions Randy Steele and Heather Kennedy. At one point in the match, Mister and Watson held a strong 18-10 advantage in the finals, but blew their lead and ended up in a 20-all deadlock. Mister and Watson eventually pulled it together and took the match, 23-21.

Gatorade, Gold’s Gym, IP&E, IT&E, Triple J Super Fresh Market and Pacific Islands Club are sponsoring this weekend’s event.

For registration or more information contact Mister at 285-3285 or email tyce.mister@gmail.com or nmivolleyball@gmail.com.