The Chesapeake Region sent 25 teams to Minneapolis this year, compared to the 27 teams which attended the 2002 Nationals in Dallas.  Included in this year’s competitors were three Chesapeake Regional Champions:  Momentum (Women’s A), Catalyst (Men’s A), and Cavaliers (Men’s BB).

     The tournament is divided into two four-day halves.  The first half of the tournament (May 24-27) was devoted to B, BB, Open, and even-numbered Age Groups (for instance 30-and-over and 40-and-over).  The second half (May 28-31) saw the A, AA and odd-numbered Age Groups (for instance 35-and-over) competing.  Players are allowed to compete in both four-day halves of the tournament if they so desire.

     At the Adult Nationals, all teams, regardless of division, compete in pool play over the first two days of their tournament.  Teams are regrouped into Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Copper brackets based on pool play results.  Seeding within the brackets is also based on pool play results.  Playoffs in the Gold bracket is double-elimination; other brackets have single-elimination playoffs.  Teams finish playing either late on the third day or sometime on the fourth day.  First, second, and third place finishers within the brackets are given medals at an awards ceremony, as are the All-Tournament Team selections.

     Many of the results are posted on the USA Volleyball website on the Internet at http://www.usavolleyball.org.  Click on “Adult,” then on “03 Standings and Photos” to see some of the finishes, as well as photos of teams and All-Tournament Team winners.  More information gets posted as time goes by.  Chesapeake Region teams who finished in the top three in the Gold Bracket of their respective divisions include Catalyst (M-A), Mac Classic (M-65), MACNOVA70 (M-70), and MAC 75 (M-75).

     For just about anyone who participates at Adult Nationals, the experience is generally very enjoyable.  For those “rookies” attending their first Nationals, it’s usually a real eye-opener, seeing teams from around the country, dealing with the sandbaggers, and adjusting to the schedule of playing matches over three to four days in a row.  For the more experienced, it’s a time to see players they’ve competed with and against over the years and renew old friendships (or rivalries).  For many of us, it’s also a chance to explore a new city.  Minneapolis is a wonderful city, with skywalks everywhere (for moving around when the snow piles up in the winter), tons of restaurants, the Mall of America, the Metrodome, lawn bowling in the middle of the city, parks, some bums on the benches, bars and pubs (What? Alcohol? No way!…Way).  Talk to anybody who attended this year, and you’ll get great stories of the whole experience.

     Congratulations to all of the participants.  The 2004 Adult Nationals are slated to be held in Atlanta, Georgia.  Start getting ready now!