Cheers, shouts and slams filled the MTSU Campus Recreation Center on Saturday, Feb. 28. Not one point went uncelebrated, every rally filled with energy and dedication.
The men’s volleyball club hosted an invitational, bringing 11 other men’s teams from Tennessee colleges and beyond to compete on the court, encouraging community and sportsmanship.
The colleges — from the University of Northern Georgia to the University of Alabama — met at the net to scrimmage throughout the day.
Here, they competed not only to win but to develop camaraderie and teamwork.
Elijah Nichols, MTSU sophomore and opposite hitter, has been involved in the club for two years and played for the B-Team during the event. Nichols points to his fellow players as the heart of the club.
“I mean, I could talk about playing,” Nichols said. “Obviously, I love playing the sport. But also, like, everyone in the club’s super nice. We’re all friends.”
Nichols acknowledges that, while men’s volleyball is much less prevalent in the South, being able to grow the sport through venues like this is a great opportunity.
The club puts on big events like this at least once a semester and attends other colleges’ events when they are invited. They rented out four REC center courts, set up nets and ran a tournament bracket after a few practice matches.
Nichols calls the club his “third location,” meaning he spends most of his time at home, work and with the club. He values both the relationships he’s made through volleyball and the chance to play.
MTSU sophomore and volleyball A-Team manager, June Battles, agrees with this sentiment.
“I’ve been going to these tournaments before I was even manager,” Battles said. “I’m really good friends with everyone on the team. So I just think it’s really fun to, you know, have a community like that.”
Battles’ role in the club is planning practices, attending events and just being involved.
A lot goes into these events behind the scenes, such as reaching out to upwards of 30 colleges to recruit teams to come play. Battles plays a role in setting up the event and is right on the sideline to cheer it on.
“Just playing volleyball really brings people together,” Battles said.
MTSU’s outside hitter JJ Valeriano reaffirmed the uplifting environment, emphasizing the competition and intense rivalry, as well as the community and developed relationships between the teams.
Leslie Bishop Collins was in the audience supporting her son, Caleb, who plays libero for East Tennessee State University.
“It’s been seamless throughout the day,” Collins said. “It’s really been enjoyable to be here.”
Collins said the club did a great job organizing and orchestrating the event, pointing out how polished the rotations were and how every college got a chance to shine.
The audience cheered or sighed at appropriate times as the teams went head to head. No matter the outcome, teams would exchange high-fives and words of encouragement after the match.
Readers can discover more from the MTSU men’s volleyball club on their Instagram, where events, tournaments and more are announced.
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