2025 NIU Volleyball Annual Grass Tournament

The Annual NIU Volleyball Grass Tournament is back!!! This year we are hosting men’s women’s and Co-ed divisions in Open, A & B. There will be pool play followed by single elimination playoffs. Playoff seeding will go by games won, win percentage, and then total point differential. Everyone makes Gold in all divisions and has a chance to win prizes!

Location:
NIU Huskie Stadium East & West Lawn
1425 W Lincoln Hwy, DeKalb, IL 60115

Divisions

Men’s Tournament – Huskie Stadium West Lawn

Men’s Triples - (Open, A, B)

Open - Advanced volleyball players, highest level of competition
A - Average/ good players
B - Recreational players, lowest level of competition
Prizes awarded to all divisions

Women’s Tournament – Huskie Stadium East Lawn
Women’s Triples - (Open, A, B)

Open - Advanced volleyball players, highest level of competition
A - Average/ good players
B - Recreational players, lowest level of competition
Prizes awarded to all divisions

Coed Tournament – Huskie Stadium East Lawn
Co-Ed 4's (All levels)
*can vary based on number of teams registered*

Check in Times & Locations (Day of event)
Men's Registration 7:00am – Huskie Stadium West Lawn Check in Station
Men's Play Begin 8:00am

Women's Registration 8:00am – Huskie Stadium East Lawn Check in Station
Women's Play Begin 9:00am

Coed Registration 8:00am – Huskie Stadium East Lawn Check in Station

Coed Play begins 9:00 am

Captains Meeting

• There will be no formal captains meeting. Team captains will be given pool play assignments & tournament information at check-in!

Format

The format of the tournament will be dependent upon the final number of teams registered. As a result, pools will not be posted until the morning of. There will be pool play followed by single elimination playoffs. Playoff seeding will go by games won, Head-to-Head, Total Points

• Pool Play

pools of 3 - 3 to 21 cap 23
pools of 4 – 2 to 21 cap 23

Tournament Rules

• Rally scoring.

• No open hand tips.

• Directional blocking allowed.

• Players may double contact any first ball over (including serves) provided the ball is not held.

• A block is not counted as a team hit.

• Foot digs are legal.

• When the ball is set into the opponents’ court, the setter’s shoulders must be "squared up" or Perpendicular to the line of flight of the ball, not to net.

• Each team is allowed one 30 second time out per game.

• Teams with 4-5 players can sub players in-between games but not during a game unless there is an injury.

• Players may not wear cleats or spikes of any kind. Players may play barefoot.

• If there is a disagreement about the use of a certain type of ball, we will defer to a coin toss for choice.

Parking

The tournament will be held on both the East & West Lawns of Huskie Football Stadium. Parking will be available all around the grass on Stadium Drive South and Stadium Drive West. There is limited space available in Lot 31 which is between the grass field and the stadium. The best place to park will likely be on the street and Lot PS. When parking on the street near the baseball field please be sure to check if any games are going on as a foul ball may result in damage to a vehicle.  Park there at your own risk. Parking will be marked by NIU Police Department.

• Please do not move parking cones to park your vehicle. We do not want anyone ticketed by NIU parking services!!!

Food/Drink, Equipment, and Pet’s Policies

Food and Drink:.  Please bring your own water bottles.  You are allowed to bring your own coolers/beverages/food, but please ensure they are kept in proper containers and find their way to the garbage cans. We will also have water/Gatorade & snacks available for purchase in our tournament snack stands (CASH ONLY) and this year we will have food trucks for the event! Please help us keep our campus clean!

Canopy’s & Chairs: These are allowed. Please place around the edges of the tournament fields and leave appropriate space to allow for serving for teams.

Pets: Pets are allowed, please clean up after them, and dispose of the waste in the garbage cans scattered around the play sites.