DALLAS (May 25, 2018) – The 89th USA Volleyball Open National Championships commenced Friday morning at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas as 517 teams are competing in the six-day event that runs through May 30. Approximately 4,500 athletes ages anywhere from 18 to 89 are taking to one of 43 courts vying for one of 27 divisional championships.
The Open Nationals was formed in 1928 and has run annually except for two years due to World War II.
A total of 69 teams are from three USA Volleyball regions within the State of Texas, including 36 from the host North Texas Region. The Garden Empire Region leads the pack with 54 teams entered, while the New England Region is represented by 46 teams. All told, 39 of USA Volleyball’s 40 Regional Volleyball Associations have teams competing in the event.
This year’s Open Nationals includes 43 teams from outside the United States. Canada and Brazil have 17 teams each competing in the event with other foreign representation from Mexico (3), Bermuda (2), Australia (1), Peru (1), Puerto Rico (1) and Venezuela (1). Skinfolds, a Men’s BB Division team, is the first team from Australia to compete in the Open National Championships.
“This event continues to be our organization’s signature and longest running event, and is a symbol of great pride as we promote volleyball as a lifelong sport,” USA Volleyball Chief Executive Officer Jamie Davis said. “The USA Volleyball Open National Championships has a division for any adult who wants to play, spanning from the Open division featuring some of the top players in the country to various skill-level divisions and master’s divisions for age-group competition for both men and women. While the matches are competitive on the court, the Open Championships blends a positive social atmosphere for players to relax and build relationships off the court. The love of volleyball brings people together.”
On May 27, 13 divisions will conclude with their respective championship rounds. The Open Divisions for men and women will take place on May 29, while the remaining 13 divisions titles will be settled on May 30.
Two of USA Volleyball’s most decorated Olympians are competing in this year’s event. Lloy Ball, a four-time Olympian and 2008 Olympic Games gold medalist, is competing for Beam Pineapple in the Men’s 40-and-Over Division. Danielle Scott-Arruda, a five-time Olympian and two-time Olympic silver medalist, is playing for Hoosier Exterminators in the Women’s Open Division. Both Ball and Scott-Arruda are inductees into the International Volleyball Hall of Fame.
The oldest player competing in this year’s tournament is Bob Lichtsinn with AA Adults Toy Storage, based in Lakewood, Colorado, within the Rocky Mountain Region. Lichtsinn, who will turn 89 later this year, is competing in the Men’s 78-and-Over Division and the Men’s 76-and-Over Division.
The U.S. Women’s and Men’s National Sitting Volleyball Teams are also hosting Canada in exhibition matches in conjunction with the Open National Championships. The two countries will square off against each other five times in each gender through Sunday.
May 25: U.S. Men’s Sitting Team vs. Canada, 8 a.m. CT
May 25: U.S. Women’s Sitting Team vs. Canada, 10 a.m. CT
May 25: U.S. Men’s Sitting Team vs. Canada, 2 p.m. CT
May 25: U.S. Women’s Sitting Team vs. Canada, 4 p.m. CT
May 26: U.S. Women’s Sitting Team vs. Canada, 8 a.m. CT
May 26: U.S. Men’s Sitting Team vs. Canada, 10 a.m. CT
May 26: U.S. Women’s Sitting Team vs. Canada, 2 p.m. CT
May 26: U.S. Men’s Sitting Team vs. Canada, 4 p.m. CT
May 27: U.S. Men’s Sitting Team vs. Canada, 8 a.m. CT
May 27: U.S. Women’s Sitting Team vs. Canada, 10 a.m. CT
The U.S. Women’s Sitting Team, ranked No. 1 in the world, captured gold at the 2016 Paralympics. The U.S. Men’s Sitting Team participated in the same Paralympics for the first time since 2004. Both teams are qualified for this year’s ParaVolley World Championships.
Sport Court is the official athletic flooring for the USA Volleyball Open National Championships.