The Deck, aka 12th St., and 900 Club Land 6-Man Titles
Aug 01, 2014 03:33PM ● By Mb News Staff
900 Club takes on defending champions Rusher Air/900 (Bacchus) during the 6-Man.
By Geoff Nielsen
It was just like old times Thursday afternoon south of the pier in Manhattan Beach as a group of former Mira Costa Mustangs took home the coveted Charlie Saikley 6-Man Volleyball Tournament title.
The Deck, formerly known as 12th Street, featuring a bevy of local volleyball stars including Bryan Ivie, Dave McKienzie, Bob Samuelson, Jason Stimpfig, Eric Fonoimoana, David Swatik, and Chris Brown, defeated a loaded Team Fletch 2.0, 11-9 and 12-10, to win its first ever 6-Man title.
Ivie, Fonoimoana, Stimpfig and Brown all played and graduated from Mira Costa in the mid 1980s and understand the meaning of their accomplishment: “We have been close before, but to finally get the title is extremely special,” said Ivie, a former Olympian and 1987 graduate from Mira Costa. “Especially with guys like CB, E-Fonoi, and Swatty, who I have known since childhood, and this win couldn’t be any sweeter.”
Team Fletch 2.0, also loaded with athletic talent that included Scott May, Jeremy Casebeer, Matt Fuerbringer, Scotty Lane, and former Laker Luke Walton, fought its way out of the loser’s bracket by upsetting two-time champions Simmzy's, 11-9, in a hard fought battle.
“That was some tremendous volleyball,” said J.P. Saikley, event organizer. “Although the numbers were down a bit, I think overall we had a really great tournament.”
On the women’s side, 900 Club defeated Rusher/Air (Bacchus) 15-10 and 11-9 to end Bacchus' five-year run. 900 Club featured a number of former USC and UCLA players and current AVP professionals including Ali Daley-McColloch, Nikki Jagd, Lindsay Stalzer, Kelli Tennant, Devon Sutherland and Geena Urango.
“My team has been playing together in 6-Man for the past 8 years so it was pretty special to finally pull out the Gold this year,” former Bruin setter Nikki Jagd said. "Thanks to all of our sponsors: Smack Sportswear, 900 Club, Rivalry Bar and Grill, and Surfside Volleyball Club. We're looking forward to next year already.”
Jagd summed up the experience: “Nothing sweeter than winning 6-Man growing up in the South Bay and 'volley world.'"
Said Saikley, “Although the tournament has dramatically slimmed down, the fun party atmosphere, creativity, camaraderie and celebration of our great sport is still alive.
“I think everyone I saw, from spectators to players, they all had a smile on their face, and that’s always a success for me.”
It was just like old times Thursday afternoon south of the pier in Manhattan Beach as a group of former Mira Costa Mustangs took home the coveted Charlie Saikley 6-Man Volleyball Tournament title.
The Deck, formerly known as 12th Street, featuring a bevy of local volleyball stars including Bryan Ivie, Dave McKienzie, Bob Samuelson, Jason Stimpfig, Eric Fonoimoana, David Swatik, and Chris Brown, defeated a loaded Team Fletch 2.0, 11-9 and 12-10, to win its first ever 6-Man title.
Ivie, Fonoimoana, Stimpfig and Brown all played and graduated from Mira Costa in the mid 1980s and understand the meaning of their accomplishment: “We have been close before, but to finally get the title is extremely special,” said Ivie, a former Olympian and 1987 graduate from Mira Costa. “Especially with guys like CB, E-Fonoi, and Swatty, who I have known since childhood, and this win couldn’t be any sweeter.”
Team Fletch 2.0, also loaded with athletic talent that included Scott May, Jeremy Casebeer, Matt Fuerbringer, Scotty Lane, and former Laker Luke Walton, fought its way out of the loser’s bracket by upsetting two-time champions Simmzy's, 11-9, in a hard fought battle.
“That was some tremendous volleyball,” said J.P. Saikley, event organizer. “Although the numbers were down a bit, I think overall we had a really great tournament.”
On the women’s side, 900 Club defeated Rusher/Air (Bacchus) 15-10 and 11-9 to end Bacchus' five-year run. 900 Club featured a number of former USC and UCLA players and current AVP professionals including Ali Daley-McColloch, Nikki Jagd, Lindsay Stalzer, Kelli Tennant, Devon Sutherland and Geena Urango.
“My team has been playing together in 6-Man for the past 8 years so it was pretty special to finally pull out the Gold this year,” former Bruin setter Nikki Jagd said. "Thanks to all of our sponsors: Smack Sportswear, 900 Club, Rivalry Bar and Grill, and Surfside Volleyball Club. We're looking forward to next year already.”
Jagd summed up the experience: “Nothing sweeter than winning 6-Man growing up in the South Bay and 'volley world.'"
Said Saikley, “Although the tournament has dramatically slimmed down, the fun party atmosphere, creativity, camaraderie and celebration of our great sport is still alive.
“I think everyone I saw, from spectators to players, they all had a smile on their face, and that’s always a success for me.”
6-Man Volleyball Tourney 2014 [28 Images]
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