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Shamrock Festival Returns to Roanoke

Lynsey Barker powers a serve over the net during one of last weekend’s match-ups.

If you noticed a large number of teenage girls in spandex shorts last weekend in Roanoke you were probably seeing players that participated in the annual Shamrock Festival volleyball tournament. Now in its 13th year, “Shamrock” as it is known, is the largest nationally sanctioned tournament in Virginia, hosting 228 teams from all over the east coast that bring over 6000 visitors to the Roanoke Valley.

The tournament was headquartered at the Roanoke Civic Center Special Events Hall with 13 courts of volleyball being played simultaneously. The events started Friday night with a College Showcase highlighting over 300 girls displaying their skills for over 70 college scouts.

Tournament play began on Saturday and ran through Sunday afternoon with games played all over Roanoke including gyms at Cave Spring, William Fleming, Patrick Henry, North Cross, Glenvar, Hidden Valley, Roanoke College, Hollins College and the Spectrum Sports Academy (formerly The Edge).

The tournament also acts as a fundraiser for the Roanoke United Volleyball Club which has 15 teams with players between the ages of 12-18 as well as a Volleyball Academy for younger children.

Many of local teams placed well. “Roanoke 18s” – 2nd place Gold, “NRV” (also a local club) 18s – 1st place Silver, “Roanoke 15 White” – 2nd place Silver, “Roanoke 14 White” – 1st place Silver.

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