The Heidelberg University Volleyball team will host Spike Night Under the Lights – a one-of-a-kind outdoor volleyball event – on Monday, Sept. 22.
Held at Hoernemann Stadium, the event will start with a junior varsity match between Tiffin Columbian and Tiffin Calvert High Schools at 5:30 p.m. The varsity teams for the Tornadoes and Senecas will follow. The evening will be capped with a match between the University of Findlay and Heidelberg around 8 p.m.
A portable court will be laid on top of the Riesen Field turf, with spectator seating on the track and in the bleachers. Students from all four schools will be encouraged to sit in bleachers behind both baselines.
Tickets for the event will be $8 for adults. Students can attend for free, and no parent passes will be accepted. All of the proceeds will benefit FACT of Seneca County.
"Volleyball has had a rich tradition in Northwest Ohio," said Heidelberg Head Coach Jason Miller. "Once we came up with the idea, all four schools pitched in to hammer out the logistics. It's going to be a great showcase for the sport and the region."
In addition to the games, food trucks, concessions, T-shirt sales, raffles and other events will contribute to the festive atmosphere. It is believed to be the first outdoor volleyball game in the history of the Ohio Athletic Conference.
For Jason, it will be a family event as well. His oldest daughter, Hannah, is an outside hitter at Findlay. Olivia, the second oldest, is a setter for the Student Princes. His youngest two daughters, Emily and Gracie, play for Calvert.
"Getting the entire family to play on one court on the same night is a dream," said Jason.
If the weather does not cooperate on the 22nd, the 24th will be the back-up date.