Unified Volleyball championships are Saturday in Yorktown

Special Olympics Indiana continues its fall tournament season Saturday with its Unified Volleyball State Championships at Munciana Volleyball Facility in Yorktown.  

Competition is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Unified sports involve teams of individuals both with and without intellectual disabilities, allowing them to play alongside each other. For volleyball, the six on-court players must always include three Special Olympics athletes and three Unified partners.

“Unfied sports is an opportunity for our athletes to play alongside their peers and promote inclusion through shared sports training and competition,” Special Olympics Indiana President and CEO Jeff Mohler said. “By having practices and games together, this helps knock down preconceptions and sweep away false narratives about the skills, ability and competitive drive of individuals with intellectual disabilities.”

Nearly 3,000 athletes and Unified partners are expected to take part in the eight championship tournaments this fall.

• Softball, Sept. 7 at Center Grove Lassie League in Greenwood
• Golf, Sept. 8 at Hickory Stick Golf Club in Greenwood.
• Equestrian, Sept. 27-28 at Hendricks County 4H Fairgrounds.
• Flag football and distance run/walk, Sept. 29 at Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School.
• Soccer and cornhole, Sept. 29 at Grand Park in Westfield.
• Unified volleyball, Oct. 19 at Munciana Volleyball Facility in Yorktown.

Admission to all events is free. Visit SOIndiana.org/fall games to learn more or to volunteer.