A spikeball player lunges to keep a point alive during Sunday’s pool play matches at West Beach. (Presidio Sports Photos)
The trending sport of Spikeball made an appearance in Santa Barbara last weekend, as the All-American Spikeball Tournament attracted 36 teams to compete for the championship at West Beach.
A two-man team from Chico defeated Santa Barbara locals Michael Guzman and Daniel Guzman 21-19, 21-17 in the final.
Shaun Boyer and Skyler Boles, with the team name of Chico Spikeball, have won three straight tournaments in New York City, Manhattan Beach, and now Santa Barbara.
The Guzmans’ Santa Barbara team, called Vicious and Delicious, won the last Spikeball tournament played in Santa Barbara in April.?The tournament is run by Ryan Warner, the head youth minister at Ocean Hills Covenant Church. The event serves as a fundraiser for its 34 North youth group.
Each of the 36 teams started in pool play, eventually getting split up into a Pro Bracket and an Amateur Bracket depending on pool play results. Bracket play was single elimination until a champion was crowned.
Spikeball is a new sport gaining in popularity. Learn more about the rules HERE
Agility and quick reactions are key to spikeball. This player leaps high during a point on Sunday at West Beach.
