The Courts in Beaverton: Portland's Best Indoor Volleyball Venue

As summer gives way to fall rain in the Portland and Vancouver area of the Pacific Northwest, volleyball enthusiasts who took their play outdoor for the sunny weather will begin migrating back to the indoor game. And while the Portland area offers many different places to play indoor volleyball through leagues, tournaments, and drop-in open gym play, the premier volleyball venue remains The Courts in Beaverton. Run by a volleyball player, former UCLA setter and University of Washington coach, Steve Suttich, "The Courts" is the place to go for competitive play.

The facility has six full-sized volleyball courts, three of which double as basketball courts, and all of which are separated by hanging nets to keep errant balls from disturbing neighboring games. Three of the courts have electronic score boards, and all of them have bleachers for spectators. Within the last few years, improvements have been made to another area where spectators and players can hang out, "The Courtside Café." The café serves food choices from energy bars, to hot dogs, to panini's and sandwiches, plus beverages ranging from sports drinks and soda to beer and wine. You can sit in the eating area and choose between watching volleyball in front of you, or sports on two flat screen TVs.

The Courts hosts leagues, tournaments, and its ever-popular Friday night drop-in volleyball nights. Most evenings around Portland and Vancouver you can find places having open gym volleyball, but The Courts has represented the most competitive play in the area for several years. For $4 you can play from 7pm-10pm, and try to work your way up to the winners' court where, on prime nights, some of the top players in Portland do battle. During the winter months it is also a great place to watch competitive adult volleyball, as the facility hosts adult regional tournaments through the Columbia Empire Volleyball Association (CEVA), which is a regional division of USA Volleyball. The Courts is also home to the Oregon Juniors Volleyball Academy (OJVA), and hosts junior's tournaments most weekends during the indoor season.

Besides volleyball, the facility also hosts basketball and dodgeball leagues. If you are a competitive player in the Portland area and you have not checked out The Courts, do so soon! The Courts is located in Beaverton, Oregon at 14523 SW Millikan Way #110.