Question: What do you get when you combine 2,000 players, a beautiful day, 48 courts and a half million gallons of water mixed with dirt?

Answer: The 25th Annual Mud Volleyball Tournament benefiting the Epilepsy Foundation of Central Ohio!

The silver anniversary event, held July 31 at Beulah Park in Grove City, was a huge success for the Foundation that spends months planning for the one-day competition. This year, Mother Nature smiled and the players came with their “game faces” and enthusiasm, ready to beat out dozens of other teams to take home the grand prize trophy while helping raise funds and awareness for those who face the challenges of epilepsy.

With taped-on tennis shoes and clothes that could be thrown away at day’s end, player after player aced, bumped and spiked resulting in an afternoon championship round that eventually led to the teams that placed:

25th Anniversary MUD Volleyball Championship

First Place - The Other Paper, Capt., Ben Dills
Second Place - Donatos, Capt., Chris Kunkel

DIVISION ONE

First Place - MUDDY BUCKEYES, Capt., Jason Nutbrown
Second Place - NIKE Just Do It, Capt., Chrissy Sobek

DIVISION TWO 

First Place - Rule 3, Capt., Marsha Traub
Second Place - Team Moose Knuckle, Capt., Amanda Hetterschiedt

DIVISION THREE

First Place – Donatos, Capt., Shawn Schatz
Second Place - Team Peddler, Capt., Justin Rsderstorf

DIVISION FOUR 

First Place - Shotties for Hotties, Capt., Wendy Wiemers
Second Place - MUD Slingers, Capt., Kristen McGraw

DIVISION FIVE 

First Place - Jack Asses, Capt., Kenyon Coleman
Second Place - Planes Dirty Ball, Capt., Angela Cimino

DIVISON SIX

First Place - Team Garrison, Capt., Emily Garrison
Second Place - Freaks 3, Capt., Dale Berkhouse

The Epilepsy Foundation of Central Ohio has many to thank for making its biggest fundraiser of the year one of its best ever. Kudos to our presenting partners: American Electric Power, Beulah Park, Cardinal Health, The Ohio State University Medical Center, George Igel Co. and Q-FM-96. Event partners included: Bob Evans Farms, Donatos, Hooters Max & Erma’s, The Other Paper and White Castle.

We also thank our team captains, our more than 2,000 players, our 150 volunteers and referees, the spectators and, of course, those who supported the event by making a contribution. Additionally, we extend special thanks and gratitude to a few gentlemen who have been with this event for more than 18 years: Dave Duffy, Reed Riegel, Steve Lambeth and Bob Carpenter. They give 110% every year, and they have helped shaped this event into what it is today.

With all of this support, the Foundation continues to be the only agency providing free services specifically for people of all ages in Central Ohio with epilepsy. Through successful efforts like Mud Volleyball, we will continue to do just that. Score!