The Nikolaevsk Warriors, champions of the Denali Conference for Mix Six Volleyball, open play the the ASAA Mix Six Volleyball State Championships on Thursday at Dimond High School.
The three-day volleyball tournament will feature both pool play and bracketed play with 12 teams qualifying for the state tournament representing all corners of Alaska.
The Warriors begin pool play as the #1 seed from the Denali Conference and will play two contests on Thursday on the Dimond court in Pool D.
Thursday’s opponents include Hoonah at 5:30 p.m. and Tikigaq at 7:10 p.m.
The top eight teams from the pool play rounds advance to a two-day, single elimination, bracketed format.
The championship game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Saturday night at Dimond High School.
Qualifying Teams
Nikolaevsk, Kodiak ESSS, Hoonah, Gustavus, Shishmaref, Aniak, Tikigaq, Alakanuk, Tanalian, Unalakleet and Napooglugmiut
Pool Divisions
Pool A – Northwest Artic, Western#1, Denali #2
Pool B – Alaska Coastal, Southwest, Yukon River
Pool C – Kuskoskwim, Southeast #1, Western #2
Pool D – Denali #1, Southeast #2, North Slope
Mix Six State Championship Tournament: Basic Guidelines
National Federation of High School (NFHS) Volleyball rules, in general, shall govern play for females and males on the same team with the following exceptions:
1. Mix Six volleyball is intended to be played with three males and three females on the court at all times. The serving order and positions on the court at service shall be female and male alternating or vice-versa. a. In the event that three male players are not available (not on the roster, not at the playing site, not academically eligible, or not able to play because of injury or illness), then a female may fill a male position. A female shall never replace an available male player because of skill level or performance. b. A male may never fill a female position. c. No more than three males may be on the court at any time. d. There must be at least one male on the court to begin a match.
2. The height of the net for mix six play shall be 2.43 meters (7’ 11-5/8”).
3. When the ball is played more than once by a team, at least one of the contacts shall be made by a female player. Contact of the ball during blocking shall not constitute a play on the ball under this rule. There is no requirement for a male player to contact the ball, regardless of the number of plays by a team.
4. When only one male player is in the front row at service, one male back-row player may be forward of the attack line for the purpose of blocking. The remaining male back-row player must be behind the attack line until the ball has been contacted by the block or has been hit in such a manner that no block is possible. If a male back-row player is not participating in a block there is no restriction on both male back-row players being forward of the attack line. a. Male back-row players when playing the ball in other than blocking actions shall be governed by provisions of the National Federation Rule 9, Section 5, Art 5b. b. No female back-row player may participate in a block.