On a gray, May Saturday where warmth was at a premium, the Santa Barbara locals set the beach on fire in the California Beach Volleyball Association’s (CBVA) annual Men’s “B” and Women’s “AA” tournament, the first of three tournaments at East Beach this summer. With a near record turnout, the Men’s “B” hosted 29 teams and the Women’s “AA” drew 11 pairs.
In the Women’s Final, the local team of Michelle Kobashi and Terri Willis faced off against East Beach regulars Christie Earls and Megan Cannon. The team of Kobashi/Willis topped Earls/Cannon 28-23 to take home the title and their “AAA” rating.
Also representing Santa Barbara in the Women’s Division was ex-Don Jane Hinkle and partner Stacey Schmidt, who battled with Kobashi/Willis in the Semifinal before falling 29-27. Jake Kelly Campbell competed in her first tournament with Hilary Brinkman who also finished in a tie for third with Hinkle/Schmidt, losing to Earls/Cannon 28-13.
The Men’s Final was one player short of an exact repeat match from last year. Defending champions Dan Terry and Will Harris squared off against Tim Nestlerode and new partner John Hancock in another All-Santa Barbara final in which the challengers claimed the victory.
After an early 5-2 start by Nestlerode/Hancock fell victim to a six-point barrage of tough serving and blocking from Harris/Terry. The lead held up for Harris/Terry until a key play at 16-16 tied the game after a 40 foot dig by Hancock followed up with a soft cut shot recaptured the lead for Nestlerode/Hancock. What came after that was a memorable sideout battle until 26-26, when Nestlerode ripped an ace up the middle to gain the first match point of the game against the defending champions. The title-holders were unphased, tying the score at 27-27 until a monster block by Harris gave them their first match point.
After a short timeout by Hancock, who had been cramping since midway through the match, the score was again knotted up at 28-28. Each team-traded sideouts until a long rally was brought to an abrupt end by a ground-shaking kill from Nestlerode gave them match point number two at 30-29. A rally leaving the players gasping for air at match point was capped off by a menacing block by the cramping Hancock, ending the match and upsetting the defending champions 31-29.
Among the local men’s teams entered were Jim Jennings and Christian Love who finished in third place, Jeff Rydberg and Joe Gagnon finishing in 5th, as well as seniors from Santa Barbara and Dos Pueblos Tyler Worley and Dillan Bennett. Also representing were brothers Brennon and Jordon Dyer. Brennon, a Junior Outside Hitter at the University of Hawaii, played with “Mr. Volleyball” George (Jorge) Richardson finishing in a tie for 7th place. Jordon participated with ex Charger Miles Evans who also finished in 7th place. Other locals competing were Duke Howard, Stan and Tyler Howell, Rusty Dodson and Tigre Vega.
The CBVA will be hosting tournaments at East Beach all summer long starting with the Men and Women’s “AA” on June 13th leading up to the Semana Nautica Men and Women’s Open on July 5th. Starting in late July, they will also be hosting Junior Tournaments for ages starting at 12 up to 18. For more information, visit www.cbva.com for a full schedule.
