Photos by Paula Merritt / The Meridian StarBrownies’ Lexi McDonald, left, tries to get to the ball against Crossfire’s Kambree Freeman Saturday during the State Games of Mississippi’s Netfest 3V3 soccer tournament at the Jaycee Complex.

State Games of Mississippi’s Netfest soccer tournament returned to Meridian Saturday with more than 160 soccer players gathering at the Jaycee Soccer Complex to kick off the fourth year of the event.

Youngsters and adults filled the complex’s soccer fields to participate in the 3v3-format games that attracted 34 teams from Hattiesburg, Caledonia and surrounding areas.

“Participation definitely keeps growing, and we have great support from Blue Cross and Blue Shield as our sponsor, and that helps to keep our entry fees very low,” said Krilecia Gianakos, State Games of Mississippi’s marketing and development director.

Players were divided into five divisions ranging from juniors to an under-30 division. Games lasted 30 minutes and resulted in high-scoring affairs. The event ended with evening championship contests.

“This is an extension of the State Games of Mississippi,” Gianakos said. “We do hand out medals, but the difference between Netfest and the State Games that are traditionally in May and June is that these medalists don’t qualify for the State Games of America.”

Saturday’s Netfest was the first of the two-sport event. Four-person volleyball will be played April 14.

“You can download the registration form on our website — stategamesofms.org — but you can register on-site, as well,” Gianakos said. “We take everybody up until the last minute.”