Volleyball

Volleyball Leagues

CMSA Volleyball League: Inclusive Volleyball for All

Welcome to the CMSA Volleyball League, where passion meets inclusivity! Whether you’re a seasoned volleyball pro or a first-time player, our league offers a vibrant LGBTQIA+ community and exciting gameplay. Let’s dive into the details:

What We Offer:

  1. Six Levels of Play:
    • From recreational to advanced, we cater to all skill levels. Whether you’re perfecting your “bump,” “spike,” or “set,” there’s a place for you here.
  2. Team Registration:
    • Captains and team players can start registering teams starting on April 10th, 2024. Gather your friends or meet new ones—it’s time to assemble your dream team!
  3. Free Agents Welcome:
    • If you’re flying solo, fear not! Free agents can register starting April 10th, 2024. We’ll help connect you with like-minded players.
  4. Team Requirements:
    • All teams need a minimum of six registered players before hitting the court. Don’t worry; we’ll assist in finding additional players if needed.

Beach Volleyball Season Starts on Friday, May 31st, 2024: Sun, Sand, and Spikes!

  • Summer Vibes: When the sun is shining, we take the game to the beach! Join our open summer beach volleyball sessions and enjoy the sand between your toes.
  • LGBTQ+ Pride: CMSA Volleyball League proudly stands as one of the largest LGBTQ+ volleyball leagues in the country. We celebrate diversity, acceptance, and the joy of playing together.
  • Skills Clinics: New to volleyball? No problem! Attend our skills clinics to learn the basics, improve your technique, and build confidence on the court.
  • Social Events: Beyond the game, we host social events—mixers, parties, and outings—because camaraderie extends beyond the court.

Venue Update:

Get ready for thrilling matches in this vibrant space.

Get Involved:

  • Create a Team: Rally your friends and create a team. It’s all about camaraderie and friendly competition.
  • Join as a Free Agent: Embrace the adventure! Join as an individual, make new connections, and enjoy the game.
  • Stay Connected: For more information, questions, or just to say hello, drop us an email at beachvb@chicagomsa.org.

Why CMSA Volleyball?

  • Inclusivity: We celebrate diversity and welcome players from all backgrounds, including the LGBTQ+ community.
  • Year-Round Fun: Indoor leagues during fall/winter and beach volleyball in the summer—there’s no offseason for volleyball enthusiasts.
  • Play, Connect, Thrive: CMSA Volleyball isn’t just about the game; it’s about building friendships and memories.

Join Us!

Whether you’re a seasoned setter or a newbie eager to learn, CMSA Volleyball League awaits. Let’s serve up some fun! 🏐🌈

Open Indoor  openvb@chicagomsa.org

Women’s+ Indoor  womensvolleyball@chicagomsa.org

Beach Volleyball  beachvb@chicagomsa.org

Volleyball Seasons

LeagueSeason NameDay of WeekRegistration PeriodLeague Dates
Open & Women's+ Beach (Summer)FridayAprJun - Aug
Open Indoor (Fall/Winter)SundaySeptNov - Mar
Women's+ Indoor (Fall/Winter)SundayDecJan - Mar

Open Indoor Volleyball - 6 v. 6

Levels include:

A - Advanced Competitive
BB - Competitive
BU - Advanced Intermediate
BL - Intermediate
CC - Advanced Recreational
C - Recreational


Women's+ Indoor Volleyball - 6 v. 6

Levels include:

Competitive (A) - Many players have played in high school or college.
Intermediate (B) - A mix of ages and skill level. Most players have played before, either in league play or high school.
Recreational (C) - Perfect for new players to learn basic skills, or for those looking for more laid-back play.


Beach Volleyball - 4 v. 4;

Levels Include:

Advanced (A) and Competitive (BB) - Many of these players have played college/club volleyball previously and regularly participate in competitive NAGVA tournaments.
Intermediate (B) - This division is for players who have a lot of experience playing organized volleyball. Teams usually three-hit the ball, play positions, and enforce all rules.
Experienced (CC) - This division is for players who have some experience playing organized volleyball and know all the basic rules. More competitive than Recreational (C) but more nuanced rules like side sets and tipping are not often enforced.
Recreational (C) - This division is mainly for players who little experience playing volleyball and looking to have fun. Rules like lifts and carries are not often enforced.

Women's+ Competitive (WC) - Comparable to players in the A, BB, or B divisions.
Women's+ Recreational (WR) - Comparable to the C and CC divisions.

Full Teams: Captains must create a team and can then invite their team players via LeagueApps, or register and have the players select the correct team during registration.

Free Agents: If you do not have a team, register as a free agent. The league will follow up with you directly to help you find a team.

Open Indoor Volleyball

Regular Season: 2 matches per week, and one match to referee per week. Matches are played Sunday morning/afternoons. Matches consist of 2 games each.

Playoffs: All teams qualify for the playoffs, which take place in a double-elimination format on a single Sunday.


Women's+ Indoor Volleyball

Regular Season: 3 matches per week.

Playoffs: All teams qualify for the playoffs, which take place in a double-elimination format.


Beach Volleyball 

Regular Season: 2 matches per week, and one match to referee per week. Matches are played Friday evenings. Matches consist of 2 games each. Teams typically have 6-8 weeks of regular season play based on beach availability.

Playoffs: All teams qualify for the playoffs, which take place on a Saturday morning/afternoon in a double-elimination format.

All equipment is provided at the indoor facility or on the beach, including nets, lines, scoreboards, and referee equipment. Teams self-referee in between their matches.

Many teams choose to create jerseys at their own expense, but it is not required.

  • CMSA Beach Volleyball

  • CMSA Beach Volleyball

  • CMSA Open Indoor Volleyball

Open Indoor Volleyball Location One

Open Indoor Volleyball Location Two

Women's+ Indoor Volleyball Location

Beach Volleyball Location One

Beach Volleyball Location Two