Tinley Park Adult Sand Volleyball League Sees Spike in Popularity

For weeks on end now, recreational teams from the Tinley Park Park District have been seen storming the sand courts, serving up competitive volleyball action just outside the Tinley Park Water Park off 171st Street and 80th Avenue.

Two matches are played simultaneously over the course of three hours, as a total of 10 teams play every Wednesday night. But the sand courts weren’t always so lively in this park district league.

In his first year on the job, Tinley Park Park District athletic supervisor Mike Hayes decided to create a sand volleyball league geared toward adults.

“I started working for the Tinley Park Park District four years ago,” Hayes said. “That’s when we started the beach volleyball league. Only five teams competed in that first year, but it has grown steadily and continues to gain popularity.”

Now, just four summers later, a total of 17 teams compete over two nights at the lighted sand courts. Hayes attributes the booming popularity to the good nature of the league.

“It’s competitive, but also a recreational league," he said. "It’s nice to see everyone have smiles on their faces.”

Tinley Park native Juan Mansanarez is enjoying his first year in the park district league, and he plans on continuing to play as long as it’s available.

“It’s fun to get out here--nice weather, good times, being able to hang out with my friends,” he said. “Everyone on our team gets along pretty well.”

Supporting a wide range of ages, it was evident the park district beach volleyball league caters to all comers.

“There’s a good mix of young players and more veteran players,” Mansanarez said.

Ten weeks of regular season games culminate in a single-elimination playoff bracket at the end of the season, and with the snowballing enrollment, it will be the fourth successful season of many to come.

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