MRS/USAR Sectional-South Elgin
MRS/USAR Sectional
South Elgin, IL
5/10/25
Register Here
The Midwest Roundnet Series is coming to the Chicago area! This will double as a USAR sectional. Get hyped for this awesome event for everyone who plays.
Venue
Sperry Park
725 Dean St
South Elgin, IL 60178
The above address will get you to the newly renovated parking lot. If that lot fills up, there is another lot on the west side of the park on Michigan Ave.
Surface: Grass
Equipment
Illinois Roundnet is excited to continue our partnership with Premier Spike as the official equipment sponsor of our events, leagues, and pickups. Their sets are significantly more sturdy. They won’t bend into awkward shapes after big hits or serves and the rims are much less likely to break.
In 2025, we will be using their bigger balls as well. These make defense and serve receive a little easier and make gameplay more enjoyable.
Rules
We will be using the USA Roundnet rules at all Illinois Roundnet events. New rules in 2025 include 3 seconds to serve and blocks on one in the NHZ being legal. Be sure to familiarize yourself with these if you are new to the tournament scene. https://www.usaroundnet.org/rules
In addition to using bigger balls, all MRS sectionals will feature a 30ft boundary from the center of each net in the premier, contender, and women's divisions. We will also continue testing out IRF Package A at this event to get more data using the bigger balls and these rules. Package A includes:
*No same hand toss on serves
*The server's teammate is free to move upon service call.
*All 3 touches must be used on the 1st possession
Full package A details can be found on the IRF website.
Divisions
Premier/Bronze+(5.0): The best players will face off in this division. In order to play in this division, both players must have a USAR player status of premier or bronze(or higher). This division will also feature cash payouts to the top finishing teams.
Contender(4.0): This is where open teams who don’t have a USAR player status of premier or bronze+ can play and try to earn premier. This division will have a 30ft boundary from the center of the net and test a number of IRF proposed rule changes.
Women’s: For women’s teams of all skill levels. We will structure the division to give each team the best experience possible. At least 6 teams are needed to run this division. If we get less than 6, a team can be moved to a different division or be fully refunded. This division will have a 30ft boundary from the center of the net and test a number of IRF proposed rule changes.
Intermediate(3.0): If you are newer to roundnet or tournaments, then this is the division for you. This division will not use the no hit zone or boundaries. This is a great opportunity to experience a competitive atmosphere and hone your skills. At least 6 teams are needed to run this division. If we get less than 6, a team can be moved to a different division or be fully refunded.
Free Agent: Don’t have a partner yet but want to play in this tournament? Then sign up as a free agent for FREE to get your name out there. That way you can also lock in the registration price of the day you register. Once you find a partner, email the tournament director so they can issue you a discount code to match the price of when you registered as a free agent(if it increased since then).
If you’re still unsure which division to play in, check out the more detailed descriptions on the USA Roundnet website here: https://www.usaroundnet.org/player-division-ratings
*Disclaimer: If a division does not get enough teams registered, you will be moved to another appropriate division or you can request a full refund.
Schedule
7:45am-8:30am: Check in/warm ups
8:45am: announcements
9am-11:30am: Pool Play
11:30am-12:15pm: Lunch
12:15pm-Conclusion: Bracket
*All teams must arrive and check in by 8:30am
**Schedule is subject to change at TD discretion.
*This is a preliminary schedule. Times may be adjusted if games take longer to complete or finish early
*ALL TEAMS MUST arrive and be checked in by 8:30am. Failure to do so may result in forfeitures of games.
Format
You will start the day with pool play. You will be placed into a pool of other teams. Each team in a pool will play 1 game against each other. Games will be played to 15 or 21 with a hard cap to avoid long games. After each game you will input your score on the event’s Fwango page from your phone(you will be emailed the link and instructions to do this). Then based on pool play results, you will be seeded into a bracket based on win/loss record, head to head(if applicable), and average point differential. The goal will be to have most if not all bracket matches be a best 2 out of 3 series with games to 21. The bracket will be played out until we have a winner. If you lose early in the bracket , you will be placed into a consolation bracket and you can continue playing those matches. All results of the tournament will be available in real time on the Fwango page.
*Format is subject to change at TDs discretion based on the number of teams, time, etc.
Pricing
Premier/Bronze+(5.0) and Contender 4.0
$30/player through 5/1
$40/player after 5/1
Women’s
$20/player through 5/1
$30/player after 5/1
Intermediate
$10/player through 5/1
$15/player after 5/1
***Registration closes on May 8th at 11:59pm cst
Prizes
Prizes are given to podium finishers of all divisions
*Premier/Bronze+(5.0) Cash prizes are dependent on the total number of registered teams. 40% of registration revenue will go towards prizes. Exact amounts will be finalized upon registration closing. Payouts will be distributed through Venmo.
A number of top finishers in the contender division will qualify for premier. Exact numbers will depend on the teams in the contender division and overall in the event. Check out the USAR website for a full breakdown.
Podium finishers in the other divisions will receive prizes from sponsors.
Memberships
With this being a USA Roundnet sanctioned event, every player will need a USAR membership to take part. If you don’t have one, you can get one during registration. There is an annual option for $25 or a single event option for $5.
MRS Season Pass
Anyone who plans on playing in a lot of MRS events can get the season pass. This is a one time purchase of $175($100 for women's) that gets you free registration to all locals, sectionals and the championship. You can get yours here: https://fwango.io/midwestroundnet/memberships
Team Illinois
The best Illinois based players will have the opportunity to qualify for Team Illinois during the tournament series. Team Illinois serves as an “elite” group that can earn exclusive merch and other perks. For more info on how to qualify check out our Team Illinois page
Refund Policy
Teams can get refunded for the team's registration if they can no longer attend as long as the request is made before registration closes. Transaction fees and memberships are non refundable. Please send an email to illinoisroundnet@gmail.com to request a refund and be sure to mention your name, your team’s name, and the division you registered in.
FAQs
*Can there be more than 2 players on a team?
No. We only allow 2 players per team because stamina becomes a factor in the later rounds of the tournament.
*Can I play in multiple divisions?
No. All the divisions run at the same time.
*Is food and water provided?
We will provide some water bottles, bananas, and snacks but we still ask you bring your own to ensure you’ll be good for the whole day
*My partner I signed up with can’t attend anymore, can I find a new partner and get that changed on the registration without having to re-register?
Yes, if this is the case please you should be able to change this yourself on Fwango where you registered. If not then send an email to Illinoisroundnet@gmail.com and we can troubleshoot.
*Where can I get updates on social media?
Be sure to follow Illinois Roundnet on Instagram(@IllinoisRoundnet) for updates on this and other events in the state.
Any questions about this tournament, what Illinois Roundnet is, or about Roundnet in the state or Midwest? Send an email to Illinoisroundnet@gmail.com