What is LezVolley?
LezVolley is an annual women’s volleyball tournament that takes place on Cherry Grove, Fire Island.
Started in June 2011 with 8 teams, the LezVolley tournament’s success has grown tremendously and the registration has pumped up to 30 teams over the past 13 years, becoming the most popular LGBTQ+ event for women and non-binary people on Fire Island, and especially within the lesbian community.
LezVolley has teamed up with New York City’s Gotham Volleyball league, the largest gay sports organization in New York City founded in 1981, who professionally officiates all the tournaments.
LezVolley event offering
The LezVolley weekend includes:
SATURDAY (10AM-5PM): Tournament Day on the beach
30 teams
Prizes for the winning teams
Giveaways/Raffle
SATURDAY NIGHT (after 5PM): Official After Party ($10 cover for non-players)
SUNDAY (3PM): Pool Show at the Ice Palace (free)
The event is free to attend as spectators. The beach is kid and pet friendly (under adult supervision.)
Who’s coming to LezVolley?
Every year, the LezVolley event attracts thousands people coming to watch the games and enjoy a beach day filled with entertainment. The tournament gathers teams from all over New York, Long Island, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, and welcomes players from any age and skill-level.
The majority of LezVolley’s players and attendees belong to the LBTQIA+ and non-binary community.
The ladies behind LezVolley
LezVolley is the brainchild of Danielle Stanziale (host at the Stonewall Inn on Thursday night and the annual Gay Pride party Pier Pressure) and Kristine Bungay (host and DJ at the Stonewall Inn).
In 2011, Danielle and Kristine started brainstorming about helping Cherry Grove to stay the number one vacation spot for LGBTQ+ women, as they saw the attendance decrease. Drawn to the fitness world, they decided to launch a sporting event that would bring the community together: LezVolley was born.
With Danielle and Kristine continuously working on making the event better since 2011, the LezVolley event has seen a tremendous growth in the size of both participants and spectators.
