City of Eugene Recreation is “testing the waters” for a sport that’s new to Eugene and playing it in a way that’s different, too. Six teams will compete in games of the City’s Water Volleyball League each Thursday, through August 14 at 8:15 p.m. at Amazon Pool.
“Standing in four feet of water, you can’t move as fast,” says Recreation Manager Dave Battaglia, “but it’s a softer landing when you dive for the ball.” Battaglia, who runs the City’s Athletics program organized this first water volleyball season that will run for six weeks.
There is high demand for pool time during the summer, so Battaglia had to fit three volleyball courts into one pool. To do that, he had net poles and bases specially fabricated by Seattle-based, Volleyball USA. If six teams all playing at the same time in one pool works for Eugene’s league, other recreation programs around the country may decide to offer the sport to their patrons, as well.