CHARLESTON – The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals cleaned up pending litigation from the circuit court level on Thursday, paving the way for the Class A State Volleyball tournament to finally get underway.
The Supreme Court granted a motion filed by the WVSSAC on Monday that sought a writ of prohibition to reverse decisions that occurred first in Tyler County and then in Hardy County that conflicted with one another, halting the Class A state tournament. The Tournament was set to begin on November 12.
Tyler County Circuit Court filed an injunction on October 1 for Tyler Consolidated High School to be reclassified as a Class A participant rather than Class AA for the tournament. The Tyler County Circuit Court finally granted that injunction on October 30. Following that injunction, Hardy County Circuit Court filed an injunction of their own to block Tyler Consolidated from participating in the Class A tournament, with East Hardy High School arguing the Silver Knights did not have to advance through a regional tournament.
The Supreme Court, as expected, ruled in favor of the WVSSAC in regard to their regulation of West Virginia high school sports, negating the circuit court rulings that halted the tournament.
“We have repeatedly held that the manner in which the WVSSAC applies its rules is not subject to judicial review,” stated the Supreme Court. “We thus conclude that the circuit court exceeded its authority in adjudicating the as-applied challenge to the WVSSAC reclassification rule, particularly when that as-applied challenge was already litigated and addressed by the appropriate body.”
The order went on to say “The impact of this ruling is to allow the WVSSAC to proceed with the Class A volleyball and cheer championships according to its rules and authority.”
Plans are in motion for the tournament to be held at the Walker Convocation Center on the campus of West Virginia State University, home to the Yellow Jackets’ women’s volleyball team as well as men’s and women’s basketball. The first-class venue seats 1,350. Tentative plans have the tournament taking place on Monday, December 2 and Tuesday, December 3.
The WV Daily News will keep readers informed when times become available. Greenbrier West is the #2 seed in the tournament and is set to face Region III opponent River View in the first round. The Lady Cavaliers are making their eighth consecutive appearance in the state tournament.
