Four new players win Manhattan Beach Open - Easy Reader
Winning the championship at the Manhattan Beach Open is the pinnacle for every beach volleyball player competing on American soil. This year's tournament provided the perfect setting for athletes from two teams to have their names included among the greats of the game.
Pro beach volleyball returned to the South Bay in all its glory last weekend when the Jose Cuervo Pro Beach Volleyball Series drew approximately 35,000 spectators to the Manhattan Beach Open – the first of three events produced by USA Volleyball and International Management Group (IMG).
With a jammed packed stadium, fans watching overhead from the pier and the enthusiastic voice of announcer Chris "Geeter" McGee booming from the sound system, the scene was reminiscent of the heydays of the AVP. Fans didn't seem to mind that several of the top U.S.players were in the Netherlands playing against international competitors in attempts to qualify for next summer's Olympic Games in London. They were watching the Olympic hopefuls of 2016.
"The crowd, the energy, the competition – we are thrilled and couldn't have asked for a better event to kick off the series," said James Leitz, IMG senior vice president. "We are very proud to have taken the first step to return the Manhattan Beach Open to its position as one of the top tournaments of the world."
Although the top seeded teams prevailed, it was refreshing to see four new players win their first Manhattan Beach Open and earn the right to have their names etched on a plaque that will be forever displayed on the pier alongside past winners of the prestigious tournament.
Sean Scott (Redondo Beach) and John Hyden (Sherman Oaks) captured the men's championship, winning their 11th title together and sixth of this year.
After eliminating third-seeds John Mayer/Matt Prosser 21-14, 21-18 in the semifinals, Scott and Hyden defeated the seventh-seeded team of Billy Allen (Venice) and Brad Keenan (Costa Mesa) 21-18, 21-13 to win their first Manhattan Beach Open. It was Allen's first appearance in a tournament final.
"Because of IMG, USAVolleyball and Jose Cuervo, the fans, the stadium and whole event were just amazing. It really feels like beach volleyball is back," said Scott. "It feels so good to come out on top when we've been second so many times before."
Scott's 2-year-old son Koa greeted his dad after the match, which capped off a championship weekend for the family. Scott's wife, fellow pro beach volleyball standout Rachel Wacholder, coached the women's team to their first Manhattan Beach Open crown prior to the men's final.
When the Jose Cuervo series returns Sept. 23-25 for its National Championship in
Locals Aaron Wachtfogel and Sean Rosenthal won the 2010 Manhattan Beach Open. Photo by Brent Broza
Top seeds Jenny Kropp (Hollyglen) and Whitney Pavlik (Laguna Beach) earned their plaque on the famed walk with a 21-13, 22-20 victory over fifth-seeded Jennifer Fopma (Bellflower) and Tracy Jones (Huntington Beach). The win was their fourth championship of the season.
Kropp and Pavlik eliminated second-seeded Kristen Batt (Venice) and Brooke Sweat (Estero, Fla.) 21-17, 21-18 to reach the championship match. Fopma and Jones defeated third-seeded Emily Day (Torrance) and Heather Hughes (Fallbrook) in the semifinals.
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30 Aug, 2011
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