WEST VIRGINIA The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals has sided with the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission (WVSSAC) in a dispute stemming from conflicting circuit court orders that disrupted the 2024 Class A State Volleyball Tournament.
The Supreme Court granted writs of prohibition against orders issued by the Tyler County and Hardy County Circuit Courts. These conflicting orders centered on Tyler Consolidated High School’s classification and participation in the state tournament, creating legal and logistical challenges for the WVSSAC.
The dispute originated after the WVSSAC implemented a new four-classification system for volleyball in 2024, reclassifying Tyler Consolidated and St. Marys High School from Class A to Class AA. Although both schools competed as Class AA throughout the regular season, Tyler Consolidated later sought to return to Class A.
On October 30, the Tyler County Circuit Court ordered the WVSSAC to reclassify Tyler Consolidated to Class A, despite the volleyball postseason already being underway. This decision disrupted the sectional and regional tournament brackets and required Tyler Consolidated to participate in the Class A playoffs.
In response, the Hardy County Circuit Court issued an order on November 15 prohibiting Tyler Consolidated's inclusion in the Class A State Tournament, mandating that the original bracket proceed as planned. These conflicting directives forced the WVSSAC to delay the tournament, originally scheduled for November 12-14.
The WVSSAC argued that the lower court orders were impossible to reconcile and sought intervention from the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court’s decision resolves the conflict, allowing the WVSSAC to move forward with the tournament without interference.
Justice William "Bill" Wooton recused himself from the case, with Circuit Judge Thomas H. Ewing serving by special appointment.
This ruling follows shortly after another court decision involving the state football playoffs, where the Supreme Court vacated injunctions from Wood and Mason County circuit courts. In that instance, the Supreme Court ruled that circuit courts overstepped their authority by interfering with the WVSSAC’s internal affairs. The decision canceled a planned play-in game and reinstated the original standings for the playoffs.
The Class A State Volleyball Tournament remains postponed as the WVSSAC finalizes adjustments following the latest ruling.