The students who gather for Net Night, an evening of pick-up volleyball games every Sunday in O’Pake Recreation Center, are also helping to breathe life into the university’s intramural programs, according to organizers and participants.

“One of the big initiatives or pushes from Campus Rec this year has been to reignite the intramural programs that have gone rather dormant the last few years that I’ve been here,” said Student Senate President Adam Mullin ’20.

Mullin, who plays on an intramural volleyball team, has also joined in on Net Night, one of Campus Recreation’s new initiatives this semester.

“It’s all about having fun, about getting to know people on a certain level and allowing anyone to hop on the court who wants to,” Mullin said.

The intramural teams play first, then Net Night starts at 4 p.m., welcoming anyone who wants to play.

“Since our building is a little outdated, we only have one area for volleyball nets to be set up,” said Campus Recreation coordinator Alex Kissinger, who also noted that O’Pake is the only place on campus where people can play volleyball.

“I figured it would be a good chance just to leave the volleyball nets up on Sundays after intramural, so our intramural participants can stick around and hit the ball around,” Kissinger said. “Also, other students who are interested in volleyball and don’t really have a chance to play anywhere can stop in, meet new people, have a game or just hit the ball around.”

Maggie Hallinan ’22, who plays intramural volleyball and will often stay after her game for Net Night, reiterated that Net Night is laid back and welcomes anyone who wants to play.

“It’s pretty casual,” Hallinan said. “You just show up, get on the side of the court and just have fun and practice or play games.”

Kissinger said her favorite part of the event so far is the sense of community it has created.

“It’s good for other students just to stop in and meet new people as well, and so the camaraderie and socialization is one of my favorite parts,” Kissinger said.