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Hermosa Beach Open 2009 AVP Dalhousser and Rogers Win Pro Beach Volleyball Tournament
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Hermosa Beach Open 2009 AVP Dalhousser and Rogers Win Pro Beach Volleyball Tournament |
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Welcome to the AVP Hermosa
Beach Open!
The beach is a bash for the Association of Volleyball Professionals Crocs Slam Bud Light Hermosa Beach Open, which in 2009 took place Aug. 6-9. For three days, the area in and around Pier Ave., is alive with action and bars are packed to capacity. By the time the sand settles, more than 50,000 people have visited, spending the days enjoying the beach, the sunshine, and a seaside sport at its best. In other words, it's pure Southern California.
• The 2009 Bud Light Hermosa AVP men's champions are Phil Dalhausser and Todd Rogers, who had to work, sweat and fight to earn it, defeating John Hyden and Sean Scott, 18-21, 21-15, 15-9. It was a dynamic match, Hyden and Scott blocking even Dalhousser in the first game and a half. Then, however, the quick-as-a-cat Rogers began diving all over the sand to make spectacular digs. Why, does it seem, the players put in that extra effort in the Manhattan and Hermosa tournaments? It's because they know the fans and that's what the recreational players in the stands at thdse tournaments expect. The players know they will seem the fans – many of them their friends – at the bars later and they had better lay it on the line.
But just when it seemed the top seeds would cruise to the finish, the second seeds dug deep and made a match of it, turing a 12-8 deficit into a 12-12 tie in the second game, which featured several extended rallies with players on both sides diving in the samd to make saves. The third game started evenly a 7-7 but a twice Rogers sprawled to the beach with saves, which enabled the tall and sometimes unstoppable Dallhoussser to slam an unreturnable smash. They took a 12-8 lead and, moments later, were able to savor their win (and a $34,000 check). • The AVP Dancers performed all weekend. Check out this video interview conducted by PubClubette Rose Arzate:
• Let's talk atmosphere. The start of the AVP men's and women's finals are electric. The music is pumping the crowd is cheering and banging those thunder sticks, and AVP announcer Chris McGee takes everything to a great crescendo to the players intros. It's totally cool. The AVP's version of the Tennessee Walk and Salute to the Hill (for those who have been to a UT game). • The 2009 women's champions are Elaine Youngs and Nicole Branagh, who won a stirring, three-set match against Jennifer Kessy and April Ross, 19-21, 23-21, 15-11. They had to fight off match point at 20-19 in the second set before making their electrifying comeback.
It was a difficult draw for the women because of the schedule. The final was Saturday at 1 p.m., which means to advance teams had to play at least four matches.
• Hermosa also marked the return of new mom Kerri Walsh. She got back to the beach with with new partner Rachel Wacholder, who is also a recent mother. The duo won their first three matches but lost the fourth to fall in to the loser's bracket and then fell again on Saturday morning to finish tied for fifth.
"Said Walsh: "I was excited to come out this morning and see how I felt. The more the night went on yesterday, the more proud I got of Rachel and me. (Friday) was a huge day. I almost felt like if we could have played more matches yesterday, we would have done better."
• The tournament included the vocal "Rosie's Raiders," who brought 6-man type of entertainment to Sean Rosenthal and Jake Gibb matches. • One of the most popular places on Friday was Court 2 in front of the Beach House. It was full of people courtside in beach chairs, and also featured the Bud Light Oasis, an shaded area with tables and chairs. Adjacent to the Oasis had tablesand umbrellas. Unfortunately, one had to a bar in order to drink a Bud Light. And Court 2 was free.
• There was HUGE Johnsonville Brats grill, something you might see at a BBQ contest on the Food Network....See on the sand, local vocalist Addy Lane. She didn't sing the National Anthem to start the day, but she would have been an excellent choice.
Tip: For the GA semis and especially the men's and women's semifinals on the main stadium court, get a seat an hour before the matches start. Southern Californians really do enjoy their beach volleyball.
The women's final was Saturday at 1 p.m., with the men's final Sunday at 1; both were live on NBC. – 2009 Players Party Photos –
Like the Manhattan Open, the AVP added bonus events for the fans. In Manhattan, it was the 6-man demonstration and Legends game. In Hermosa, it was a USC-UCLA Crosstown Challenge featuring alumni from the cross-town rivals (won by UCLA). There was also an emotional tribute to AVP legend Mike Whitmarsh, who passed away in February. Five different men’s teams have won this season, all in the last
Outer courts were free, but Stadium Court and Cout 1 required tickets with prices ranging from $5-35. Specific prices were: Still for the AVP, the parties begin before the matches are completed on Friday. Pier Ave., is set up perfectly for this purpose, with bars lining the parth to the beach. It's the perfect setup to a very Southern California event. On the beach, people walk up and sit on the sand and in beach chairs. The best viewing for volleyball is Friday when even the top pros are playiing on outer courrts and getting right up to the action is as easy as throwing down a beach towel. Bring snacks and lunch (drinks in plastic cups!) and make a day of it. – AVP Hermosa Bar Party Photos –
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One of the top stories of Hermosa Beach was the return of two-time gold medalist and 3-time winner Walsh, who played for the first time since giving birth May 22. Walsh, whose partner Misty May-Treanor took the year off and is recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon, will play with another new mother, Wacholder.
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