Volleyball City?

Mike Sciacca

Surf City isn’t about to lose its famous moniker, but Leonard Armato,

commissioner of the Assn. Of Volleyball Professionals, thinks there’s

room for more here than just surfing.

Volleyball dominated the area around the Huntington Beach Pier for

four days last week, successfully rolling onto shore on the heels of

two of the world’s top surfing events.

The AVP Nissan Series Huntington Beach Open took center stage at

the south side of the pier after the U.S. Open of Surfing and the

team surfing event of the X Games IX, the Game, which dominated the

scene earlier in the month. And the event was equally embraced by a

city that had showed tremendous support for each of the surfing

events.

The AVP didn’t disappoint, either.

In an intense women’s final played Saturday, the red-hot tandem of

No. 1 seed Kerri Walsh and Misty May, two women quite familiar with

beach volleyball at the pier, continued their domination of the 2003

series by rallying to defeat No. 2 seed Elaine Youngs and Holly

McPeak, 22-24, 21-17, 15-7.

Sunday’s men’s final saw beach volleyball legend Karch Kiraly team

with Brent Doble to claim the men’s crown as the No. 2 seed defeated

the No. 9 seeded team of Todd Rogers and Sean Scott by identical

21-16 scores.

It was the first of seven men’s finals in 2003 that didn’t go to a

deciding game, and Kiraly and Doble became the seventh team to win

the men’s tournament during the 2003 Nissan Series.

Sunday’s final was televised live by the NBC network.

“In the past two years or so, the AVP has grown significantly,”

Armato said. “It’s becoming stronger and more unified, and the future

looks great.

“Beach volleyball is once again making its presence felt, and we

brought in NBC this year for coverage. The sport is edgy enough for

the young and traditional enough for the old, so there’s something in

it for everybody. It’s the perfect marriage.”

Thousands of spectators jammed the pier above center court, which

had a distinct, intimate setting as viewing stands towered above

three sides of the playing court.

The enthusiastic crowd, which packed the sun-soaked bleachers,

continually roared their approval of the play taking place throughout

the tournament.

“Boy, what an energetic crowd,” said Mike Whitmarsh, who, along

with partner Canyon Ceman, finished fifth in the men’s bracket.

Whitmarsh and Ceman were eliminated on Saturday by Rogers and

Scott, but Whitmarsh came back to watch Sunday’s men’s semifinals and

final.

“The people in this city are not only enthusiastic about beach

volleyball, but they know the game well, too,” said Whitmarsh, who

cradled his 3-year-old daughter, Jaden, as he watched one semifinal

match. “This was great crowd support and turnout for the series.”

Armato, who founded the AVP with another beach volleyball legend,

Sinjin Smith, in 1983, agreed.

“We couldn’t have asked for a better setting,” he said. “I mean,

this is an amazing spot for beach volleyball.”

Armato left the AVP fold, and during the 1990s, the AVP began to

lose its prestige because of “poor management and players’ taking

control,” said Smith, who retired from play in 2001 after a 25-year

professional career.

“It was heartbreaking to see what was happening with the sport

throughout the 1990s,” said Smith, who was on hand to watch the

Huntington Beach Open. “But everything’s different with Leonard back

on board. He’s built the sport back up, and it will continue to grow

in the future.”

Armato, who is married to player Holly McPeak, returned to head

the AVP in 2001.

The first event he staged upon his return was the 2001 Huntington

Beach Open.

“We’re back for a third time here in Huntington, and we plan on

making this an annual stop on the tour,” he said. “I know Huntington

is known as Surf City, but we’d like it to be known as Volleyball

City, too. We want to make this event a tradition here.”

During the four-day tournament, Walsh celebrated her 25th birthday

on Friday.

Two days later, she was celebrating with teammate May, who was an

All-American while at Cal State Long Beach, when the two won the

women’s tournament title.

The pair has won all six AVP women’s events they have entered

during the 2003 tour, which, with the Huntington Beach Open, has held

seven tournaments, overall.

This is also the first year the two have competed on the AVP tour.

The win was especially sweet for Walsh, who two years ago called Surf

City home.

This was her first tournament played in Huntington.

“When I lived here, I used to come down here to play on the courts

all the time,” said Walsh, who has since moved to the Northern

California town of Saratoga. “This is Misty’s beach, too, so it’s

just outstanding to come back here and win this tournament.”

“We’re playing pretty good volleyball right now,” Walsh said.

“It’s just a rad feeling to win this in front of such an amazing

group of fans here in Huntington. They really embraced this

tournament.

“I’m looking forward to coming back here to play again,” she said.

“Hopefully, Misty and I can get another win here.”

* MIKE SCIACCA covers sports and features. He can be reached at

(714) 965-7171 or by e-mail at [email protected].