Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

RIO GRANDE — This is a tournament that has the participating teams giving the awards.
The fourth annual Cooper Strong volleyball tournament will be held Sunday at the University of Rio Grande.
The tournament began as a benefit for former player Emileigh Cooper who died in an automobile accident.
However, Rio Grande head coach Billina Donaldson continued elected to continue to charity tournament as a memorial to Cooper with proceeds given as to a worthy person or cause.
It began as a women’s tournament but has now grown to allow younger girls to play alongside the women.
The Rio Grande women’s team is divided into two entries and participates as well.
Teams pay a $120 entry fee. This year’s proceeds will go toward a college fund for the daughters of the late Lynette Kingsley who was a graduate assistant for Rio Grande and died more than a year ago after being diagnosed with cancer.
The tournament will begin at 9 a.m. and teams play four sets to 25 points in pool play and one crossover game. Games are scheduled at half-hour intervals and use three courts.
The top two records in each pool advance to the semifinals for the best 2-out-of-3 to determine the final pairings. The two losing teams play for third and fourth place while the two winning teams play for first and second places.
In addition to those games, the two teams with the fifth and sixth best record will play to determine fifth place.
Tournament champions receive T-shirts.
Teams interested in entering next year’s tournament should contact Donaldson at billinad@rio.edu or call (740) 245-7060