MERGE Madness is a youth event for 6-12th grade students at the Clarence Church of Christ. Kids will have the fantastic opportunity to stand alongside other students from our sisterhood of churches in worship, praise, and fun!

We would love to have you here on March 22nd!

Theme and Content:
This year’s theme is “Through the Storm”. Darkness is all around us, and what do we do when we feel like we’re going to be consumed by it? During our event, our kids will hear from those adults who have experienced trying circumstances, and how God was their ever-present help in trouble.

Music/Worship:
Clarence Church of Christ members will lead worship.

Volleyball Tournament:
The core of the weekend is a volleyball tournament, with preliminary games and playoff games.

Wildcard Points:
Returning for this year will be wildcard points. Wildcard points help teams increase their team’s seeding for the playoff bracket. Each team can earn a “.1 point” by competing in various activities such as air hockey, carpet pool, gaga ball, ping-pong, etc. Wins/accomplishments need to be verified by an adult leader. For example, winning/accomplishing 10 activities would result in the equivalent of 1 extra volleyball game win (without directly playing volleyball). Each team can recruit non-volleyball teammates to help their team earn wildcard points (no sharing of wildcard teammates). These activities aim to help involve all students and adults in the event.

Food:
Snacks will be available the morning of the 22nd. There will be sandwiches for lunch and catering by Duff’s Famous Wings for dinner.

Schedule (subject to change)

Saturday the 22nd:

  • 9am-10am - Arrive, Make Teams, Socialize, Have Snacks

  • 10am-11am - Welcome and First Session

  • 11am - Lunch (Sandwiches)

  • 12pm-3pm - preliminary volleyball

  • 3pm-4pm - second session

  • 4pm-6pm - Playoff volleyball

  • 6pm-7pm - Dinner and Goodbye

Cost:
Students: $15 (Adult Leaders: $5)

RSVP:
Please give an estimated number of students and teams from your church as soon as you can to help with planning.


Specific Volleyball Tournament Rules

Teams:

  • 6 players on the court at a time.

  • Must have at least one girl on the court (or have to play down a player).

  • On-court player rotation must include more students than adults.

  • Adults are considered those who graduated from high school and older).

  • No sharing of players between teams throughout the tournament.

  • Players may only be substituted when players rotate for a new opportunity to serve.

Game Regulations: 

  • Matches will be played on a traditional-sized court (one game at a time).

  • Each match will consist of one game only.

  • Games will be played to 15 points (win by 2 points).

  • The team to first serve will be decided by “rock, paper, scissors” between teams.

  • 3 hits per volley.

  • If able, serve behind the back line. If unable, an alternative serving area will be marked on the court.

  • Crossing the center line on a hit will result in 1 point to the opposing team.

  • Ties are decided by first to 19 points.

  • When teams are not playing, they take turns as line judges and operate the scorekeeping.

Wildcard Points:

  • Wildcard points help teams increase their seeding for the playoff bracket.

  • Each team can earn a “.1 point” by competing in various activities such as air hockey, carpet pool, gaga ball, ping-pong, etc. Wins/accomplishments need to be verified by an adult leader.

  • For example, winning/accomplishing 10 activities would result in the equivalent of 1 extra volleyball game win (without directly playing volleyball). 

  • Each team can recruit non-volleyball teammates to help their team earn wildcard points (no sharing of wildcard teammates).

  • The goal of these activities is to help involve all students and adults in the event.

Tournament Format:

  • Preliminary Games: Every team will have the opportunity to play multiple preliminary games.

  • Playoff Games: Seeding is established by win/loss record (overall point differential will decide record ties); also decided by any additional “wildcard” points (“.1 point” for each activity won/accomplished).

Register:

Please register yourself (or group) as soon as you can, to help with planning.