Results: 07.11.2010_Men & Women Sand Series – AVP/Barefoot Wine Qualifier…back to Atlanta Beach…

Back to the beach we go…well, not really the beach, but the place where Beach Volleyball began its journey for the Olympics back in 1996.  This was the biggest event so far that AirVorne Volleyball has done on the sand with 14 teams for the Men and 10 teams for the Women.  The competition was intense and enjoyable to watch as 24 teams compete for the last spots to the Grand Championship.  So lets start off with the Women shall we…

One spot for the Women’s Grand Championship has already been secured with Amber Ramga and Amanda Dashwood winning the last Qualifier…that doesn’t mean they can’t take another spot away from others.  But this time, they decided to partner up with different teammates.

Amanda picked up Courtney Clark, an amazing player that can play with the big boys and girls of course.  Their chemistry on the court was very enjoyable to watch.

Amber picked up the veteran and last year’s dominating player for AirVorne Volleyball – Sheila Gatlin.  Sheila made it to the finals in the last Qualifier and was determined to do it again with Amber.  For Amber, domination continued…

At the end of pool play, the final standings were as follow:

1.  Amber Ramga / Sheila Gatlin

2.  Chibuzo Aguocha / Amanda Welter

3.  Amanda ‘Ada’ Dashwood / Courtney Clark

4.  Krista Gyarmati / Karime Binkley

5.  Jola Graham / Melissa Schmitz

6.  Nicole Nilson / Elaine Sha

7.  Courtney Caldwell / Jenni Reynolds

8.  Terrie O’Keefe / Kristen Zschau

9.  Lauren Patterson / Amanda Dobanton

10.  Judy Baker / Janice Fung

Let the upsets begin…in the Quarterfinals, #2 – Chewy / Amanda faced #7 – Courtney / Jenni.  Chewy / Amanda has been very very well in the weekly  AVP/Barefoot Wine League.  But this Quarterfinal game was not their game…as they lost to Courtney / Jenni in a close game…25-23.  The newly form team of #3 – Ada / Courtney faced #6 – Nicole / Elaine.  The teamwork and longevity of Nicole / Elaine prevailed as they won…21-16. #1 – Amber / Sheila and #4 – Krista / Karime also advanced to the Semifinals.

Unfortunately, I just found out while gathering up the score sheets that the Semifinals were incorrectly matched up.  So the following matches were played for the Semifinals:

#1 – Amber / Sheila vs. #6 – Nicole / Elaine

#4 – Krista / Karime vs. #7 – Courtney / Jenni

These matches should have been reversed…my bad.  I guess that is what happens when I have too much on my plate.  But the upsets continued as #7 – Courtney / Jenni defeated #4 – Kristn / Karime…21-14.  #1 – Amber / Sheila also won their match against #6 – Nicole / Elaine…21-7.

So with these results, it was #1 – Amber / Sheila vs. #7 – Courtney / Jenni to play in a match for the final position of the Grand Championship.  Courtney / Jenni played like the Lindquist sisters and played dig defense with no block.

But unfortunately, Amber / Sheila took advantage of this and won the last spot in the Women Sand Series – AVP/Barefoot Wine Qualifier.  Congratulations to Amber (for her second spot) and Sheila for an amazing tournament!!!  So far this year, Amber has been taking the courts and dominating the games.

Now for the Men Sand Series…the competition was stiff and the players were definitely bringing their game on.  Out of the 14 teams we had, the top 8 teams advanced to the Qualifier for their chance to earn the last spot of the Grand Championship.  The following teams advanced and were ranked:

1.  Doug Dunnavant / Damien Scott

2.  Bryan Gibson / Bob Massee

3.  Val Serradilha / Shawn Dobanton

4.  Rich O’Keefe / Chad Borton

5.  Howard Miles / Donald Miller

6.  Chuck Hall / Jessi Ricks

7.  Pat Donnelly / Rich Rainwater

8.  Phil Enabnit / Bryan Enabnit

In the Quarterfinals, all top 4 teams advanced to the Semifinals.  Side note:  the closest game and potential upset came from #8 – Phil / Bryan playing #1 – Doug / Damien.  But Doug / Damien came through…21-18.  Phil injured his toe during pool play but played through the entire tournament.  We wish you well, Phil and hope that you quickly recover from that unfortunate injury.  Atlanta Beach was notified about the conditions of that court and will be addressed immediately.

The Semifinals were set: #1 – Doug / Damien vs. #4 – Rich / Chad and #2 – Bryan / Bob vs. #3 – Val / Shawn.  The competition with Bryan / Bob vs. Val / Shawn was intense and they continued to trade point for point.  But in the end, #3 – Val / Shawn came out victorious…21 – 16.  The same was true for Doug / Damien vs. Rich / Chad.  As I was watching this match from the sidelines, it was 16-16.  During this particular long rally and very crucial point,  Big Rich decided to hit the ball over on one to end the rally.  The hit over on one was very questionable but was called on Big Rich as an illegal hit.  Let the fireworks begin…the call stood after lots of conversation and arguing.  Unfortunately, that point cost #4 – Rich / Chad the game as #1 – Doug / Damien won…21 – 16.

The Finals were brought to you by our one match sponsor:  Vlassic Pickles.  #1 – Doug / Damien vs. #3 – Val / Shawn.  Again, the final is a 2 out of 3 game match.  In the middle of the first game, Doug began to cramp and this was the beginning to an end.  Damien tried to take it into his own hands with the sickest jump serve I have seen since the big court was reduced down.

But unfortunately, it wasn’t enough as the #1 seed fell to #3 seed of Val / Shawn giving them a ticket to the Grand Championship.  Congratulations to Val and Shawn!!!

To everyone who came out and played and watched, I thank you for your support and look forward to doing this again very soon.  This Saturday, July 17th, we finish up the AVP/Barefoot Wine League and find out who the other two teams are that will advance to the Grand Championship.

Have a great weekend and see you guys on the court.

Dennis Jocson

AirVorne Volleyball