The NSAA board has voted to drop the Class A and B 3rd place games at next season’s state volleyball tournament, but to keep them in the other classes. Votes on C-1, C-2, D-1, and D-2 all deadlocked at 4-4.

The NSAA board also set the format for the tournament with the first round on November 13 to be played on 6 courts with Class A and B on 2 courts at the Pinnacle Bank Arena and the other classes at four Lincoln high schools.

Friday will have the A, B, and C-1 semifinals at Pinnacle with C-2, D-1, and D-2 at the Devaney Center, which will host all the finals on Saturday November 15. The four remaining 3rd-place games will be played at either one or two high schools.

NSAA assistant director Jennifer Schwartz, the person in charge of volleyball, says the Devaney Center isn’t being used on Thursday because it’s the home court for the University of Nebraska volleyball team, which will either be practicing or playing a match there that day.

Schwartz says the Huskers have already agreed to keep the Saturday clear, with the NSAA also wanting to keep the Lincoln schools involved on the first day.

NSAA executive director Rhonda Blanford-Green says splitting Pinnacle into two courts for the first two days of the tournament maximizes the facility, showcases volleyball to more people, and provides a better championship atmosphere.