Volleyball season starts with Mississippi Invitational

The Mississippi high school volleyball season begins Friday and Saturday, Aug. 1-2 with the third annual Mississippi Volleyball Invitational at the Jackson Convention Center.

DeSoto County teams competing in the two-day event will include defending state champions Lake Cormorant (6A) and Lewisburg (7A). Hernando and DeSoto Central will also take part in the pool-and-bracket play tournament. In all, 32 teams, considered the top teams in the state, will take part.

“Last year’s event was a roaring success with tremendous feedback from our member schools, and we are thrilled to continue finding ways to increase the ways we serve our schools, students, and coaches,” said LeAnna Dawson, MHSAA Assistant Director. “Once again, with eight courts of action, the atmosphere will be electric, and some of the highest level of volleyball in our state will be displayed.”

Pool play begins Friday at 2:30 pm, and teams will play three matches to determine seeding among the four teams in each pool. The top two teams in the pool will advance to the Gold bracket on Saturday, and the other two teams in each pool will play in the Silver bracket. Bracket placement will be randomly selected once play concludes and seeding is determined Friday evening.

On Saturday, the first round of Silver bracket play begins at 9:00 am, followed by the Gold bracket first round at 10:00 am. Competition in each bracket continues throughout the morning and early afternoon with the championships played simultaneously at 1:30 pm.

Admission is $10 per day, and tickets are available through GoFan (www.gofan.co/app/school/MISSHSAA). Concessions will be available, and no outside food or drink will be allowed in the Jackson Convention Center.