TOLEDO, Ohio — The Glass City Gauntlet Girls Volleyball tournament rallied together 120 club teams to downtown Toledo over the weekend, with the courts bringing everyone close to the action.
“Having 16 courts in the Glass City Center has been nice because we don’t have to walk too far,” said Eric Lazowski, Co-director of Five:1 Volleyball Club. “Some tournaments we go to, there are 120 courts, and you won’t get to see everybody.”
The tournament brings around 5,000 players, coaches, family members, and spectators to the city and includes players 18 and under.
For many teams, they are diving right into their first tournament of the season.
“It is the first weekend of our competitive season. I think there is a lot of nervous energy. There’s a lot of excitement to get going to see what our teams are really made of," said Lazowski.
The excitement was palpable for players too.
“There’s definitely a really competitive atmosphere around here, but I feel like that’s what fuels our team to do better and work harder," said player Miranda Polley.
But that isn’t the only reason energy is spiking in the players. The tournament also brings out a fair number of recruiters eager to check out the young talent.
“We have quite a few college coaches that are in the gym today that are recruiting. So many NAIA and D2 schools that are here looking at the athletes," said Lazowski.
Coaches are scouting the games, looking for the next great athletes for their teams, hopefully getting to know how resilient they are on the court and how girls play with their teammates.
“I feel like we just work together really well. A lot of these girls are new on our team, a few of them. So, it’s nice to get to see how they play in the tournament and how we get to bond together." said Polley.
With coaches' eyes on the competing players, it pushes them to give it their all.
“It’s my goal to make it to the next level. Just knowing that all those coaches are around is just pushing me to work harder," said Polley.
The tournament continues on Sunday with matches from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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