ONSET INVITATIONAL
ONSET INVITATIONAL
Fort Wayne’s only premier collegiate volleyball invitational. On it’s third annual year the Onset Invitational welcomes 24 teams from across 6 states to engage in a lively weekend of pre-season pool play with the mission to empower coaches and athletes, engage in health competition and reignite a love for the game. So here’s a look at where the tournament started, how far it’s come and where it’s going next.
Born out of a desire to RECONNECT
In 2020 Coach Scott Haddix and a few other coaches gathered for a conversation searching for a reignited passion for the sport.
After years of coaching, it’s easy to wonder how the sport is changing and how that changes our love for it. So as colleagues and friends spent time, discussing in length these questions, there came a conclusion that pointed to a need for a space where athletes could connect, test their pre-season skills, and reignite their love for the game before the demands of a long season ahead of them. It was out of this heartfelt vision that the Onset Volleyball Tournament was born.
In its inaugural year, just 12 teams gathered in Fort Wayne, Indiana, united by the desire for fair and meaningful pre-season play.
With a focus on creating more than just a competitive environment; Onset aimed to cultivate a sense of joy and camaraderie that would remind everyone why they fell in love with volleyball in the first place.
The tournament quickly became a cherished tradition. Today, the Onset Volleyball Tournament hosts 24 teams from over seven different states, reflecting its growing importance and popularity in the collegiate volleyball community.
Each year, as athletes, community members, alumni, friends, and family gather in Fort Wayne, they celebrate not just the competition, but the shared love for the sport. It’s a place where players can put their skills to the test, and engage in competitive pool play while being reminded of the passion and joy that brought them to the sport, creating lasting memories and strengthening bonds that transcend the volleyball court.
In the summit city.
Welcome to Fort Wayne
This invitational is only as strong as the city surrounding it. With a special and warm appreciation for the city that Onset considers its home, here are a few things you should know about Fort Wayne.
A Special Thanks to Our Sponsors