More than 3,000 volleyball athletes, coaches, staff and spectators from across the Midwest will fill the Wisconsin Center this weekend, Jan.16-18, for the Wisconsin Juniors Winter Classic.

Teams of ages 12-18 will compete in Open and Club divisions. Competition starts at 8 on Saturday and Sunday and will end around 8 p.m. each day. The public is welcome to attend. College coaches from around the country will also be on hand to recruit players.

"In three years the Winter Classic has grown over 50 percent from 120 teams in 2013 to over 190 teams in 2015," Wisconsin Juniors Volleyball Executive Director Jim Neave said in a statement. "This is evidence that the sport is on the rise both regionally and nationally. If you’re a volleyball enthusiast or just want to see what this is all about, come check it out this weekend."

Olympic gold medalist Misty May-Treanor will host a "Dream in Gold Volleyball Clinic" for about 120 young volleyball players at the Wisconsin Center from 5–8 p.m. on Friday. The clinic is sold-out and closed to the public.

In a statement, May-Treanor said "These kids inspire me. They are my heroes and the reason that I am excited about the future of volleyball."

A statement released by VISIT Milwaukee estimates the economic impact to the city of this event is about $626,000.

For more information on Wisconsin Juniors Volleyball, click here.