The Online Reflector

Students looking for more active things to do in the late evening hours then doing homework or climbing into bed may want to grab an energy drink and head outside for a rousing game of midnight sand volleyball outside the Schwitzer Student Center.

Started by a group of friends with a fondness for the game, what midnight volleyball lacks in structure and professionalism, it makes up for in fun.

On Sept. 26, 2010 at UIndy sand volleyball court Travis Gaddis and Hardy Howard play a game of rock paper scissors to determine whose team would serve first. Photo by Elizabeth Wheeler.

“One day Hardy (Howard) said, ‘Volleyball at midnight?’ My first thought was that’s crazy! My next thought? Let’s do it,” senior Travis Gaddis said. “It’s a unique thing to be a part of and it’s fun. Visibility of the ball is about 50-70% what it is during the day and the atmosphere at night is much more exciting most of the time.”

Typically teams of six play, but when there are more than 12 people at the court then players are rotated in and out during a game so everyone has a chance on the court.

“It depends on how many show up at the court,” Howard said. “Sometimes we have six show up and other times we have as many as 30 people show up wanting to play. Teams change after every series and new people are always wanted.”

According to Gaddis, new captains and teams are chosen after every series, or three games. Games typically go to 25 points and the best of three games wins. New captains are chosen by “nose goes” and occasionally rock, paper, scissors. New teams are selected and the series starts over.

Howard added that it is common to have people on the sidelines, doing homework, socializing and even cheering the teams on.

“It feels great to hear people laughing and yelling your name as you spike the ball,” Howard said. “It makes the game even more enjoyable.”

Despite the name, games aren’t always played at midnight.

“Whenever we can play, we play. We all have different homework and commitments at different times. I only got to play twice in the last seven days because of homework, but I played 13 days in a row at the beginning of the year. We play at midnight or during the day,” Gaddis said.

Anyone is welcome to play. In fact, players often try to recruit people to play as they walk by during games.

“If you see Travis and I out and about just stop and ask one of us about when we are playing. We send out a mass text message… Telling everyone when we are playing so you can show up and play or just come to the court.”