Growler Community! Come out to Greystone Swim and Racquet Club this Saturday starting at 10am for the premier Raleigh area volleyball event for the over-50 crowd: the Growler Masters, where the scent of Ben-Gay is stronger than the spirit of competition.
Welcome to the only volleyball tournament where the pre-game warm-up involves a group discussion about cataract surgery and a communal bottle of extra-strength ibuprofen. We’ve traded our 40-inch verticals for 4-inch shuffles, and the most common sound on the court isn’t the whistle—it’s the sound of grunting and knees popping as the players bend over to pick up the ball.
Expect high-intensity action, provided that “intensity” includes tactical naps between sets and frequent hydration breaks to manage blood pressure medication schedules. We play hard, we dive rarely, and we all agree that the net has definitely gotten higher since the nineteen-hundreds.
Special “Senior” Rules under consideration:
- Extended Medical Timeouts: 15 minutes allowed for the application of kinesiology tape and various topical ointments.
- The “Gentle Dive” Clause: Any player who hits the sand is allowed three minutes of silence while the rest of the team checks if they can get back up without assistance.
- Soft-Touch Service: Serves over 20 mph are considered “disrespectful” and will be penalized with a stern look.
- Mandatory Curfew: All matches must conclude by 7:45 PM so everyone can be home in time for Jeopardy!
