RAPID CITY - Fifteen volleyball teams from throughout South Dakota and North Dakota will begin play in the 14th annual Lakota Nation Invitational today starting at 9 a.m. at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center.

"This tournament brings a lot of culture with it," said tournament coordinator Danni Walking Eagle. "It brings players that are coming from all over the state, some premier players that people won't get to see unless you go to a state tournament. All the teams invited have played in the state tournament."

The 15 teams will be divided into two pools. The tournament will run on three courts continuously. Each team plays all other teams in its pool, with the top two teams in each pool advancing to the championship round Saturday. The championship round is single elimination which will begin at 1 p.m. The championship game will follow.

"There is some really good competition at this tournament," said Walking Eagle, "The games are action-packed for two days, and it is the largest volleyball tournament in the state."

Last year's champions, Red Cloud, returns to the tourney with a younger team, as does the runner-up from 2007, Todd County.

"Red Cloud will be back along with the MVP of last year's tournament, Marque Lunderman," Walking Eagle said. "Also coming back is Todd County, who was last year's runner-up with their star player Shelby Hunger. But both teams are rebuilding a little so the tournament should be wide open."

Walking Eagle emphasized the culture of the event along with a great showcase of talent as the top reasons to attend the tournament. She pointed to the grand entry as something the athletes really enjoy participating in.

The grand entry is an opening ceremony in which the teams march in a parade style waving team flags with music.

"We do the grand entry, and we do the Lakota songs. It is a way to expose people to the kinds of cultural things that they aren't used to seeing at other events," she said. "Those people that are volleyball fans that enjoy good volleyball should come down and enjoy themselves."