At first glance, it could’ve been anybody. It looked like an all-comers-are-welcome type game that managed to attract 10 players for a quick volleyball match before the sun went down.
Sure, they were playing on the main court set up for this weekend’s U.S. Open of Volleyball being held at East Beach, but there aren’t any fences to keep anyone out and there wasn’t a crowd watching or anything.
But on closer inspection, especially for the volleyball fan, the seemingly anonymous group of players happened to contain some of the better known beach players in the world.
Karch Kiraly was there.
Jim Menges, a 48-time title holder on the AVP, was there. Kathy Hanley, former beach champion who won 12 titles with UCSB head coach Kathy Gregory, was there. Former pro Brian Lewis was there as were current AVPers Billy Allen and Braidy Halverson. Jon Hastings, publisher of Dig Magazine, got in the game.
And of course the venerable Lee cousins, Jon and Brant, were there.
The group got together for a friendly five-on-five match that was part promotion for the tournament and part excuse to have a good time.
“There was some heavy-hitting from Menges,” said a smiling Jon Lee before adding, “You better put a small “H” on that heavy, though.”
The U.S. Open of Volleyball is here in Santa Barbara for the first time. Kiraly hopes it stays for some time.
“East Beach is one of the best places for beach volleyball in the world. I hope this will become an annual event,” said Kiraly after the match.
In his first year as a retiree, Kiraly has played the role of ambassador to the sport. He says he want to infect people with the passion of playing volleyball and what better place to enjoy the sport than at the beach.
“I want it to be like a virus out here. I want to keep spreading it.”
By the way, Karch’s team secured an 11-9 nail-biter over Jon Lee’s squad in the first of what hopefully will be many a legends match at East Beach.
