Contingents of volleyball teams from Grades 8 to Grade 12 have or will have arrived in Dawson City today to compete in the 41st annual Dawson Invitational Volleyball Tournament (DIVT) at Robert Service School.

At the tournament, there will be representation from Pelly, Mayo, Carmacks, Watson Lake, Haines Junction and of course the three Whitehorse high schools.

Robert Service School P.E. teacher David Rawlings said it is unfortunate that the other communities were not able to send a team. Still, he said, there is an energy building around the school in anticipation of the tournament.

"Oh, my goodness," said Rawlings. "It's buzzing here. The kids are eating, sleeping and breathing volleyball. The vast majority at the school is involved in volleyball and everyone is helping in some way."

It is going to be a busy three days of volleyball. Robert Service School has one gym split into two courts to accommodate the scheduled games.

"On Thursday, games will be going until 11 p.m.," said Rawlings, "and 9 p.m. on Friday."

Even though it is long days ahead for the teams and the volunteers Rawlings said the enthusiasm of the crowd and players never wanes.

"The energy is phenomenal," said Rawlings. "It is really amazing.

The Dawson Invitational Volleyball Tournament was started in 1979 by Bob Sutherland and Peter Cassidy to bring Mayo and Dawson students together to play competitive volleyball. As the years passed, more communities joined.

Last year was the 40th anniversary of the tournament, and Rawlings said it will be a hard act to follow.

"It is going to be tough to top the 40th," said Rawlings," but because the 40th went so well there is a lot of excitement for this year."

Janna Tait, a graduate of Vanier Catholic Secondary School in 2006 and now one of the team's coaches, played varsity volleyball Outside after high school.

Even compared next to the high-level tournaments she played in as a varsity player, Tait said, nothing quite compares to the Dawson Invitational Volleyball Tournament.

"It sure seems to be a favourite," said Rawlings.

Vanier boys coach Dwayne Stoker said it is always an electric atmosphere in Dawson.

Since the gym is small, it was compared to the small gym at Vanier; it gets crowded with spectators who are nearly spilling onto the court.

The Porter Creek Rams junior teams swept the boys and girls finals last year.

The F.H. Collins girls team outlasted the Rams to win the championship and will look toward repeating this year. The boys' championship was won by the Vanier Crusaders, who will be bringing back a strong team to the 41st rendition of the tournament.