About our league
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.
What We Offer
- Two formats
- Fours Beach Volleyball
- Sixes Beach Volleyball
- Six Levels of Play
- A - Advanced Competitive
- BB - Competitive
- BU - Advanced Intermediate
- BL - Intermediate
- CC - Advanced Recreational
- C - Recreational (6x6)
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:
If you have already found or plan to be on a team.
- Captains should register as a Team Captain, and create a team
- Captains can then invite their team players via LeagueApps, or players can register as Team Player, and select the team to join. Captains must approve Player Join requests.
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.
Small Groups:
If you want to play with a few friends, register as a small group. This will work similar to Free Agents, but you will be placed on a team together.
2025 Registration
*** Last Updated May 21 2025 ***
Thank you for your interest in CMSA Beach Volleyball!
Registration opened at 12:00 AM (Midnight), April 5th 2025
We are at capacity and request you add yourself or your team to the waitlist. We do not expect any more open positions for free agents or teams.
Other Events
- Skills Clinics: We occasionally offer skills clinics to learn the basics or improve your technique.
- Social Events: Beyond the game, we host social events—mixers, parties, and outings.
- End of Season Tournament
References
Rules and Information
Teams self-referee between their matches.
- 2025 Beach Volleyball Rules (PDF)
- 2025 Beach Volleyball Captains Meeting (PDF)
- Beach Net Setup Instructions (WEB, PDF)
Equipment
- All equipment is provided (Nets, lines, scoreboards, referee equipment)
- Beach Nets are set up by teams before play
- Teams should arrive 30 min before their first game
Apparel
- Outdoor: Numbered shirts are not required
Many teams choose to create jerseys at their own expense, but it is not required.
Options for Numbed Shirts
- logosoftwear.com
- sportsgearswag.com
- Strangecargo.com (chicago based, with storefront)
- allvolleyball.com
- amazon.com (search for "numbered jerseys")
Photos
- 2024 - Beach Week 1
- 2024 - Beach Week 4
- 2024 - Beach Tournament - Team Photos
- 2024 - Beach Tournament - Action Photos
Contact Us
- Beach Volleyball: beachvb@chicagomsa.org
- Volleyball Board Members
Current and Future Programs
Venues
Kathy Osterman Beach
Montrose Beach
Beach Volleyball Leadership
Ed Hayes
Beach Commissioner
Indoor Commissioner
bodhayes@chicagomsa.org
Bill Barrett
Indoor Co-Commissioner
Beach Co-Commissioner
bodbarrett@chicagomsa.org
Natalie Guzman
Women's+ Beach Co-Commissioner
womensplusbeachvb@chicagomsa.org
Mark Ferraro
Indoor VB Board
Beach VB Board
Danny Larsen
Beach VB Board
Dragan Mackovic
Beach VB Board
Jessica Andrasko
Women's+ Indoor Commissioner