While most people think March Madness means basketball, those in the USA Volleyball Gulf Coast Region know it’s synonymous with great volleyball competition. That competition returns to the Foley Event Center March 5 – 6.
March Madness is hosted by Eastern Shore Volleyball Club. Tournament Director, Patsy Burke said they are expecting 100 girls teams from around the region to compete in age divisions ranging from 11 – 18. She said the history of the tournament is part of the draw for teams coming to play in Foley.
“It is one of the oldest tournaments put on by the Gulf Coast Region,” Burke said. “We’ve been holding it for more than 20 years.”
Having that kind of storied past means it can be tough to find ways to continue to improve upon previous years, but Foley Sports Tourism Event Operations Coordinator Chad Raybon said the FST team is up to the task.
“It’s exciting to hold long-established events because they have a firm sense of what works,” Raybon said. “But it also keeps us on our toes. We may suggest something they’ve already tried that didn’t work so we go back and look at things again. To keep teams wanting to return year after year you have to continue to improve upon what you do and Eastern Shore Volleyball Club is always excited to work with us to make that happen.”
The March Madness volleyball tournament runs from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday. For more information on this competition or any FST event visit our events page.