Heart Challenge was started in 1994 and at the time, featured adult and junior divisions. Since then the event has expanded to featuring 120+ teams every year.

Divisions will be assigned to facilities about 6 weeks before the event.

12’s Division:
13’s Division:
14’s Division:
15’s Division:
16’s Division:
17’s Division:
18’s Division:

Facility Policies: Outside food and coolers are prohibited at all of these facilities. Chairs can NOT be brought in at OKUN, New Century and Sports Pavilion Lawrence. We are lucky to have access to great facilities. Please help us to be able to keep renting those facilities for future events by abiding to the facility policies.

Three rounds of pool play, followed by single elimination playoffs. We will run 4-team pools as much as possible. Play starts Saturday morning at 8:00 am with the 1st round of pool play. The 2nd round of pool play is Saturday afternoon and should be completed around 7:00 pm. On Sunday morning we start the 3rd round of pool play and we conclude on Sunday afternoon with single elimination playoffs. The tournament will finish between 4:00-5:00 pm on Sunday. Typically, teams play 10-11 matches.

In 4-team pools, all pool play is 2 sets to 25 points, starting at 4-4. Playoff matches are best 2 out of 3 sets format. First 2 sets to 25 points, starting at 4-4. Third set, if needed, is to 15 points, starting at 0-0.

All matches in pool play are automatic 2 sets or automatic 3 sets. There is NO match play. In AES, teams will show a win-loss record for matches. We ignore the match records. Ties will NOT be broken on match percentages. The records that will be considered are SET percentages to determine if there are ties.

Ties Within Pools:
2 teams have the same record in SETS after pool play:

1. Head to Head Set record between the tied teams
2. Overall Point percentage
3. Point differential between tied teams (points won minus points lost)
4. Overall Points won
5. Flip a coin

3 teams have the same record in SETS after pool play:

1. Head to Head Set record between the tied teams
2. Overall Point percentage
3. Point differential between tied teams (points won minus points lost)
4. Overall Points won
5. Flip a coin

4 teams have the same record in SETS after pool play:

1. Overall Point percentage
2. Overall Points won
3. Flip a coin

Re-seeds: In several rounds, we have to re-seed teams after pool play to advance the correct number of teams. Re-seeds cannot be completed until all pools have finished play. For round 2 of pool play, all re-seeds are placed as 4th team in the pool so the teams that are already known in each pool can start play for the next round.
We may make some adjustments to the re-seeds to avoid replays. Going into the playoffs, no adjustments will be made for replays and teams will play according to their seed.

To determine best 2nds, 3rds or 4ths:

1. Overall Set percentage
2. Overall Point percentage
3. Overall Points Won
4. Flip a Coin

Up referees will be provided for all matches. Teams will be required to provide down referees, line judges and scorekeepers. A rostered coach (head or assistant) has to be the down referee or the scorer for the match.

Failure to fulfill officiating assignments will result in the loss of 1 point per minute in your next match.

All coaches must wear their HOA credentials that is visible at all times. Coaches who do not have a picture on their credentials will have to check in with tournament staff and show a picture ID to get a wristband.

Coaches from other regions will have to show their membership card and a picture ID at check in. These coaches will receive temporary credentials and wristbands for the event.

Out of Region teams can register for this event by following these steps:

1. Contact the HOA Office during HOA tournament registration week. *Payment is due at time of registering.*
2. Email the HOA Office your team roster by the week of the event.

THIS IS NOT A STAY-TO-PLAY EVENT.

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