The 16U Red Vipers tip off their season this weekend at the All Divisions Challenge at SPIRE Institute on Saturday and Sunday. Here’s a look at that tournament and some other information regarding the club.
Very little tournament information is available but here’s what we know:
- The Vipers have been assigned to Pool D with Northern Ohio Girls Volleyball, Maverick Volleyball Club and Club Ashtabula. We are #2 in the pool. Pool D will play on court 10.
- Pool Schedule (tournament begins at 8:00 a.m.):
- 1 vs. 3 (2 refs)
- 2 vs. 4 (1 refs)
- 1 vs. 4 (3 refs)
- 2 vs. 3 (1 refs)
- 3 vs. 4 (2 refs)
- 1 vs. 2 (4 refs)
- Refereeing is not optional nor voluntary. We are required by the OVR to participate and we need everyone to play a role, whether it’s the down ref, scorebook, scorekeeper or line judges. Instructions will be provided.
- Typically, the top teams in each pool advance to the Gold Bracket, the second-place teams advance to the Silver and the third and fourth play in the Bronze Bracket, but since this is a two-day tournament the format is a bit different.
- Click here for a guideline on the Regional Challenges.
- We will play three pool matches plus one repool match on Saturday for a total of four matches. We’ll return on Sunday for two more matches in the bracket and then one or two in the medal round (if we win the first, we’ll play a second).
- Each game lasts about an hour, so we will ref at 8:00, play around 9:00 and then have a break around 10:00 a.m. We’ll be on the court for the next three hours, so be sure to hydrate and snack during the break.
- After a short break, we’ll play our final match. One coach said we should be done around 3:00 p.m.
- I’m assuming the tournament will begin at the same time on Sunday. Stay tuned for that official announcement.
Some tips to make your weekend as enjoyable as possible:
- Arrive early as the campsites and chair areas fill quickly, not to mention the parking lots getting jammed up. The doors open at 7:00 a.m.
- Chairs are permitted upstairs only. Bleacher seating is provided, but it fills up quickly as well.
- Camping is available upstairs only, in designated areas.
- No outside food or coolers permitted. Concessions are available. SPIRE also has a restaurant that has been open during previous JO events.
- Please clean up after yourselves.
- Parents, bring some reading materials!
- Don’t forget your chargers and portable batteries as outlets are in high demand.
VIPERS PHOTO DAY
Photos from photo day have been uploaded to both the website and Smugmug. If you choose to do so, click here to purchase prints and buttons and other items. You can also just screengrab and print at home or CVS, etc.
PRACTICE
This week’s practice schedule is as follows:
- Sunday, Jan. 19
- 14U/15U: 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.
- 16U Black/18U: 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. (16U Reds optional–if done playing)
- Tuesday, Jan. 21
- 14U/15U: 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
- 16U: 7:30 – 9:00 p.m. (18U optional)
