It’s back! One of the biggest sports tournaments in Salt River returns with 30-plus chair volleyball teams. 

Here in the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, chair volleyball is serious business. 

Laughter, applause and some competitive but friendly yelling filled the Community Building during the annual Ske:g Himdag Senior Chair Volleyball Tournament, which was held across two days beginning on April 30. 

This year’s tournament saw more than 30 teams, many local, some traveling from across Arizona, Washington state, California and New Mexico, battling it out on the gym floor. 

The SRPMIC was well-represented in this year’s tournament. The local teams included Mavericks, Lightning & Thunder, SR S’gevk Strong, Salt River Elite, Onk Akimel Tadai, Nyaa Thosh, SR Players, SR Serv-ivors and the SR Steppers. 

Additional teams participating in this year’s tournament were the Gila River O’odhams, Semalulukut, Boston Bosses, CRIT United, and four Pala Turtles teams from the Pala Band of Mission Indians. 

Pool play began on Thursday, when all teams were given a brief overview of the official rules and guidelines. Staff from Ske:g Himdag Ki: politely reminded the volleyball superstars to stay seated while they’re playing by keeping at least “one cheek” on their chair at all times.

Players received snacks and a meal throughout the tournament, as well as coffee and other drinks to prevent muscle aches and pains. Though the volleyball nets were set at 5 feet, many seniors still tried their best to spike one over the net while staying seated in their chairs.

Additionally, a professional massage therapist and staff from the Salt River Fire Department were on site, waiting to provide support and aid to any of the athletes who needed a moment to catch their breath. 

Thursday’s games allowed for the teams to warm up and establish their game plans in preparation for Friday’s daylong playoff and championship games. 

On Friday, teams competed against one another in a three-game series. Each game was played to at least 15 points. But because the official rules called for the winning team to win by two points, some games lasted longer than others. 

The tournament also was an opportunity for family, friends and loved ones to catch up. Jewelry and clothing vendors filled the lobby as music from the 70s, 80s and 90s played from the gym speakers, providing the perfect atmosphere for one of the Community’s most prized tournaments. 

When it was all said and done, team Pala 1 from California took home the top honors, securing first place and earning bragging rights until next year’s tourney. 

Team Uhs Kehk Ba’Ban earned second place and team Saboba 1 rounded out the top three rankings. 

The well-attended tournament proved once again that if any chair volleyball athletes in Indian Country claim to be the best, they’ll have to travel to Salt River and compete in next year’s Ske:g Himdag Senior Chair Volleyball Tournament to prove it.