Mud volleyball tournament Saturday

Organizers are expecting about 10 teams for Mud Fest 2008 Saturday, although there will be room for more in the mud volleyball tournament.

"People can register Saturday morning," Douglas High volleyball coach Suzi Townsell said. "Everyone we've talked has said it sounds like a lot of fun, but they've been dragging their heels a bit on signing up. There is still time."

The tournament, which will have three courts in a mud pit at Herbig Park across from Lampe Park in Gardnerville, will begin at 10 a.m. and run all day Saturday.

All of the proceeds from the tournament will benefit the Douglas High volleyball program.

Townsell said that she hopes the event will grow in the coming the years.

"We just wanted to test the waters this year and see what kind of response there was," Townsell said. "Next year we'll focus on expanding it, but there were a lot of logistics to get in place this year."

Like creating a large mud pit, for example.

"We had a lot of people from the community donate time and materials to get this thing set up," she said. "Some of our high school players will go out once the excavation is complete and pick up the remaining rocks."

Townsell said the tournament got help from Curtis & Sons, AA Contruction, the Ruhenstroth Volunteer Fire Department, Douglas County Parks & Recreation, the Carson Valley Chukar Club, Building Concepts, the J.T. Basque Bar & Dining Room and Centerfield Bar & Grill.

Wilson Construction dug out the pit and Bing Materials and Alton Anker donated sand.

"It'll be nice stuff to play on," Townsell said. "We're going to add this slippery stuff that will make things more interesting.

"There are some pretty competitive teams signed up, so even if people don't come out to play, it should be some good volleyball for spectators."

The high school boosters club will be barbecueing and selling concessions at the event and Townsell said she hopes to have music on hand.

"It should be a fun environment," she said. "We're hoping people come out for the barbecue and watch a unique event."

Registration begins at 9 a.m. Saturday. Teams must have at least six players. Cost is $235 per team. Being that it is a high school fundraiser, a dress code will be enforced " meaning players will not be allowed to wear bikinis.

For more information on the event, e-mail mudfest08@yahoo.com.