Large volleyball invitationals highlight the end of September and beginning of October this weekend for schools across the state.

The 8th annual Nike Tournament of Champions Volleyball Invitational entertains 80 schools from in and out of state Friday September 30 and Saturday October 1 at venues across the Valley.

Matches will be played at Spiral VB Center in Chandler, Court One in Tempe, ASU and Salvation Army Kroc Center in Phoenix. Matches begin Friday at all venues at noon and continue through approximately 7 p.m. Play resumes Saturday morning at 8:45 a.m. and as late as 11:45 a.m. Bracket finals are set for approximately 3:45 for Diamond, Sapphire, Ruby and Pearl brackets, 4:45 for Emerald and Topaz and 6:45 p.m. for Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze.

Arizona schools entererd are Hamilton, Corona del Sol, Xavier Prep, Mountain Pointe, Gilbert, Desert Vista, Sunnyslope, Ironwood Ridge, Millennium, Mesquite, Basha and Horizon. All are among the best in 6A and 5A in the state and vying for spots in the top two brackets (Platinum and Gold) come Saturday afternoon. Top out of state schools competing and ranked in MaxPreps top-25 nationally are: Bishop Moore (FL), Mater Dei (CA), Clovis (CA), Archbishop Mitty (CA), Sacred Heart (KY), Walton (GA) and Dorman (SC).

Other Arizona schools entered who will cmpete for spots in the other six brackets are: Chaparral, Thunderbird, Deer Valley, Sabino, Campo Verde, Thatcher, Mesa, Pinnacle, Arcadia, Chandler, Sandra Day O'Connor, Sahuaro, Desert Edge, Highland, Valley Christian, Notre Dame Prep, Seton Catholic, Dobson, Paradise Valley, Mountain Ridge, Agua Fria, Desert Mountain, Buena, Casteel, Valley Lutheran and Goldwater.

For a complete list of teams, pool assignments, schedules and brackets go to http://www.niketournamentofchampions.com/events/pdfs/TOCVB16_schedule(745am).pdf

Chandler Prep Academy is also hosting a large tournament (42 teams) from all over the state and from just about every conference on Friday September 30 and Saturday October 1. Matches are set at Inspire Courts in Gilbert both days.

Schools entered: Glendale Prep, Bourgade Catholic, Fountain Hills, Anthem Prep, Coronado, Chandler Prep, Mohave Accelerated, Ray, Payson, Miami, Parker, Window Rock, San Carlos, Valley Union, Tolleson, Greyhills Academy, Fort Thomas, Benjamin Franklin, Camelback, Mogollon, Arizona Charter, Benson, Washington, Superior, Maryvale, NFL Yet HS, Duncan, Carl Hayden, Yuma Catholic, Safford, Arete Prep, Cortez, AZ College Prep, Phoenix Christian, Show Low, Bowie/San Simon, Betty Fairfax, Higley, Trivium Preparatory Academy, American Leadership, Leading Edge Academy Gilbert and North Phoenix Preparatory.