Back where it all began…Atlanta Beach (Women’s Sand Series)

It was back in 1996 when it all began…Beach Volleyball and the Olympics. It was 2009 when AirVorne Volleyball had its first tournament at Atlanta Beach. The time has come when the boys and the girls get to see each other play for the first time this summer. Lots of action and lots of good times for all especially for those who know our special surprise guest…Jen Bily – a long time resident of Atlanta now living in the Caymen Islands playing volleyball. There were three divisions at Atlanta Beach: Steve French with his Men’s Open Division and AirVorne Volleyball – Men’s “AA/A” Division and Women’s Division. There were a total of 39 teams all located in one large venue.

This is the 5th tournament in the Women’s Sand Series, and we had a total of 9 teams including two teams from Tennessee – Brittany Cook / Melissa Kilroy and Jen Stacy / Karime Binkley. After pool play was over the following teams were set to battle for the finals:

Court #1 – Sheila Gatlin / Laura Shamp received a ‘bye’ and were to ref the Tennessee teams of Jen Stacy / Karime Binkley verses Brittany Cook / Melissa Kilroy. In the end, Brittany / Melissa went on defeating their friends Jen / Karime (25-15).

Court #2 – Nicole Nilson / Elaine Sha received a ‘bye’ and were to ref Ada Dashwood / Amber Ramga verses Terrie O’Keefe / Jen Bily. Terrie and JB battled through their injuries but in the end lost to their friends Ada / Amber (25-14).

The semi-finals were set as Sheila / Laura battled Brittany / Melissa on Court #1 and Nicole / Elaine battled Ada / Amber for the finals. As it is every tournament, the ladies fought hard till the end. Sheila / Laura defeated Brittany / Melissa (25-21) and Nicole / Elaine squeezed through Ada / Amber (26-24).

The finals were set for a 2 out of 3 match…Sheila / Laura verses Nicole / Elaine. For Sheila, this is her 5th consecutive final for the summer…amazing. After a long fought match, Sheila / Laura defeated Nicole / Elaine (21-14, 21-13).

Congratulations to Sheila Gatlin and Laura Shamp for an amazing run to the finals!!!

JB – “It was great to see you out there on the sands again!!”

Special thanks to Venable Photography for taking some great action shots of the tournament…thanks, Will.

For the next tournament in this series, please check back with AirVorne.com.

See you guys on the court…

Dennis Jocson
AirVorne Volleyball, LLC.

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One Response to “Back where it all began…Atlanta Beach (Women’s Sand Series)”

1. Jen Bily says:

   October 12, 2009 at 10:25 pm

   Hey Dennis! I’m just seeing these photos for the first time…I had to relay a huge thank you to you, and your tourney team, for documenting such a fun memory for me. These photos are fantastic. You are great at what you do and the communtiy is so much richer for your efforts! Well done, thanks again for letting me crash and providing official witnesses to the event! I have two new knees now, so next season’s play shall be filled with a little more pleasure and a little less pain!
   Hope to see you again soon, thanks again,
   JB