2008-2009 Volleyball Information

REGULAR SEASON:

1. Volleyball is organized on an Area basis with a state championship in four (4) classifications: AAAAA, AAAA, AAA, AA/A. Beginning and ending dates for practice and competition can be found on the Beginning and Ending Dates page at the GHSA web site.

2. The National Federation Volleyball rules committee has given each state its option about the number of games that determine a match. The GHSA will limit all matches to best-of-three except for championship matches in the Area Tournament, and all matches in the Sectional Tournament and Final Four Tournament. NOTE: Non-area dual matches may use the best-of-five format on nights before a school day.

3. Notification of entry in Volleyball must be filed in writing with the GHSA State Office no later than April 1, for the next school year. Schools will be assigned by the GHSA Executive Director to a geographic area for competition, and then will be notified of that assignment.

4. Playing dates:
   1. Schools have four (4) options when scheduling playing dates:
      1. 15 playing dates with no invitational tournaments.
      2. 14 playing dates with one (1) invitational tournament.
      3. 13 playing dates with two (2) invitational tournaments.
      4. 12 playing dates with three (3) invitational tournaments.
   2. An invitational tournament is defined as three (3) or more schools competing in a single or double elimination format that leads to a champion being declared. The use of pool play is acceptable.
   3. The maximum number of days for an invitational tournament is two (2) days.
   4. No school shall enter any volleyball tournament unless such tournament has been approved by the GHSA Executive Director.
   5. The Area and State Tournament are not counted as part of the allotted playing dates.
   6. Regular season playing dates on days/nights preceding a school day should be limited to no more than three matches per court per night.
      1. dual matches - must start no later than 7:00 p.m.
      2. multiple matches - must start no later than 6:00 p.m.
   7. In accordance with By-Law 2.66, only one night before a school day per week may be used with competitions beginning at 6:00 p.m. or later.

5. MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION:
   1. Artificial noisemakers may not be used during regular season or post-season competition while the ball is in play.
   2. Display of signs is not allowed during regular season or post season competition.
   3. Competitors must stay in uniform while in the competitive area.
   4. All varsity Volleyball matches shall be officiated by at least one (1) officially-dressed volleyball official who is registered under the GHSA plan for the registration of officials
   5. Each school will have a contract with an officials association for regular season matches, play days and invitational tournaments.
      1. For regular-season matches, each team will be billed by the official’s association for one-half of the fees for the games in which they played.
      2. For invitational tournaments and play days, the host team will be billed for the officiating fees.

AREA AND STATE TOURNAMENTS:

1. Each Area shall determine if it will use single-elimination or double-elimination format - or if it will determine Sectional representatives by regular-season play. That choice must be submitted to the GHSA Volleyball Coordinator for that classification on or before August 8, 2009.
   1. Four teams from each Area will advance to the Sectionals.
   2. Finances will be the responsibility of the Area.
   3. Ticket prices are to be set at $5.00 for all persons.
   4. The GHSA will receive 5 percent of the gross gate receipts.
   5. Results of each Area Tournament must be sent to the GHSA office AND to the GHSA Volleyball Coordinators (AAAAA & AAAA: Patty Craven at McEachern; AAA and AA/A: Brooke Kline at Chamblee) within 24 hours of the completion of the event.

2. The State Volleyball playoffs will involve two single-elimination Sectional Tournaments in each classification, and a single-elimination “Final Four” Tournament.
   1. Sites for these tournaments are noted on the brackets and these will be one-day events.
   2. One team from each Sectional Tournament will advance to the Final Four Tournament. The teams advancing to the Final Four will be seeded by a committee selected by the Executive Director.
   3. Ticket prices for the Sectional and Final Four Tournaments shall be set at $7.00 for all persons.
   4. Finances for the Sectional and Final Four Tournaments shall be handled as follows:
      1. The host school will retain 20 percent of the gross gate receipts for expenses.
      2. Remaining funds will be sent to the GHSA for distribution as follows:
         1. The GHSA will receive 12 percent of gross gate receipts.
         2. The GHSA will pay the officials.
         3. Any funds remaining will be disbursed to competing teams according to number of matches played in the tournament.
   5. Scorekeepers and Line Judges will be supplied by the various officials’ associations in the Sectional and Final Four matches.