Mud Fest set for 2nd run this weekend

Regardless of what happens the rest of the week, the second edition of the Douglas High School volleyball program's Mud Fest mud volleyball tournament will be bigger than the first.

That being said, tournament organizers wouldn't mind seeing a couple more teams sign up before the tournament commences at Herbig Park on Saturday.

"We have 13 or 14 teams committed already, which is more than we had last year," Douglas volleyball coach Suzi Townsell said. "We'd love to have some more teams though, just to continue to grow this event."

The event serves as the Tiger volleyball program's primary fundraising endeavor during the year and the more teams that pay the $200 entry fee, the more the team will be able to do during the season.

"We're hoping to get back down to Las Vegas this year to defend are title at the tournament down there," Townsell said. "The more teams that play this weekend, the better it is for the program."

The tournament will be divided into pool play Saturday morning and culminate with a single-elimination bracket in the afternoon.

Curtis & Sons Construction and a number of players' parents will start constructing the large mud pit today at Herbig. Townsell said there will be three courts set up within the pit on Saturday.

"It's a process," she said. "We have to dig it out, get rid of the rocks, put some nice sand in it and then add the slime. It'll be nice this year because we have a concrete idea of what to expect.

"Last year we were still trying to fill the pit on Saturday morning and then we had berms breaking down on us. This year we'll have it ready to go on Friday."

Additionally, the event will be catered with a barbecue and Keva Juice.

Showers will be provided. The team will be selling raffle tickets for gift certificates to Barone & Reed Food Company, Centerfield Sports Bar, Carson Valley Inn, Jessie's Hairport, Thai Jasmine Restaurant, Vineyard Restaurant, Ironwood Cinema, Carson Valley Garden & Ranch Center, Walmart, Three Room Gallery, Max's Pet Supply, Hunan Chinese Restaurant, Jumbos Sub Shop & Catering, Wasabi's Sushi & Asian Bistro, JT Basque Bar & Dining, Paradise Tan & Gym and gift baskets from Starbucks.

Check-in begins at 8:30 a.m. Saturday and games will run throughout the day.

Cost is $200 for adult teams and $20 per player for student teams. All teams must have at least six players.

Prizes will be awarded to first-, second- and third-place teams and to the team with the best uniforms.

Registration forms are available at www.dcsd.k12.nv.us/dhs under the "volleyball" link in the "athletics" tab.

For more information, e-mail dhsmudfest@yahoo.com.