What are Nationals?

BHitterDPasser · **What are Nationals? -** 03-08-2007, 01:30 PM

Has anyone here actually gone to nationals? How do they work? How do you get onto a team? I thought I'd open a discussion instead of just searching online since I'm sure a few of you have gone in years past and can let the rest of us know how it works.

Thanks,

BHDP.

strazzere · 03-08-2007, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BHitterDPasser

Has anyone here actually gone to nationals? How do they work? How do you get onto a team? I thought I'd open a discussion instead of just searching online since I'm sure a few of you have gone in years past and can let the rest of us know how it works.

Thanks,

BHDP.

Nationals is basicly... a week long vacation of intense volleyball, combined with alcohol, and massive amounts of volleyball people.

The main jist of it is, Yankee (our region) teams will sign up to go, and depending on thier performance and level of play in the region get mapped and seeded with the rest of the countries regions. Then is like a winner take all national tournament.

Think of a yankee tournament... Just over a few days, with a crap load of more teams.

This year it is hosted by USAV in Austin, TX.

There is also collegiate nationals hosted by Nirsa, which is in Lousiville, Kentucky this year.

Oh yea, lastly - they are run on sports court that is layed down on concret in a convention center... Wreaks havok on your knees.

DougHillman · 03-11-2007, 03:53 PM

USA Volleyball: 2007 USA Open - Austin Texas

DougHillman · 03-11-2007, 04:26 PM

There's a player matching service, but I believe that's only for some of the non-Club divisions.

If you want to play at the Club level, you'll need to find (or start) a USAV registered team in your region. There are pretty strict rules to try and keep the team stacking to a minimum, so you can't just take the 6 best players from 6 local teams to Nationals. (Though, of course, there are a myriad of ways around this, if you're so inclined.

)

It's really a blast. Going to a National level event where everyone around is there for the same purpose (I've gone to national Swing Dance events that are similar) is just amazing. Plus, you get to watch some of the highest level ball you may ever see.

Googles · 03-11-2007, 10:57 PM

Here's a quick summary.

Bunch of college kids gathering in a big arena for volleyball. More volleyball the next day. Then a day of elimination. Once you are eliminated you begin getting hammered. Come out of hiding to watch the final match and then the destruction of the hotel begins. The liqour stores love us, the hotels hate us.

Then the next morning the walking dead gather in the lobby for their trip home.