The AVPNext/Wilson National Championships were held in Clearwater Beach, FL on Oct 20-21. Hosted by East end Volleyball, it was the largest tournament ever in EEVB’s 30 year history. Over 240 teams form 20 states and Canada participated in 12 Adult and junior Divisions. Teams were awarded $5,800 in cash prizes plus Wilson Volleyballs, Native Eyewear Sunglasses, Rider Sandals, dinner at Sweet Tomatoes and Spike Volleyball.com gift certificates. Players also earned double points in the $15,000 AVPNext/Wilson Grand Prix.
In the Men’s Open Division Florida’s Matt Henderson and Joey Cash defeated California’s AJ Mihalic and Florida’s Dana Camacho. Mike DiPierro, playing with Steve Grotowski from the Great Britain National Beach Volleyball Program, finished third wrapping up the Grand Prix Title and $1,000 1st place prize money for DiPierro. The other 3rd place team was Mark and Steve Van Zwieten.
The Women’s Open Division was won by Florida’s Tara Kuk and Kim Whitney, the best women’s team on the East Coast, defeated Chara Harris and Brooke Langston, also from Florida. Third place went to S. Carolina’s Vicki Vega/Lindsay Rust and Ola Wolak (NJ)/Iwona Lodzik (IL).
This tournament was truly a National Championship with players arriving from throughout the US and Canada to compete on the silky white sand of Clearwater Beach. Perusing the results shows that players from 17 states and Canada took prizes home with them at the end of the competitive weekend.
AVPNext, Wilson Sporting Goods and East End Volleyball have contributed $15,000 for a season long Grand Prix competition. Players have earned points all season long with the top players sharing the prize money at the conclusion of the 2007 season. Nine of the top 20 Men’s Open players competed in the Nationals. Mike DiPierro was able to fight off Matt Henderson and win the $1,000 1st place prize even though Henderson won the National title. DiPierro’s 3rd place finish gave him just enough points to lock up the season-long Grand Prix Championship.
In the Women’s Open Grand Prix, 13 of the top 20 players competed in the Nationals. Rebecca smith was able to maintain 1st place ahead of her twin sister Rachel and the hard charging Tara Kuk.
The social highlight of the weekend was the Saturday Evening Bud Light Player’s Party held at Shephard’s Bach Resort, a very hot spot in the Florida nightlife scene. Close to 200 players came to the party to feast on complimentary Bud Light’s and a food buffet supplied by Shephard’s. The party went late into the Florida evening resulting in some slower play in the Sunday coed division.
Player’s flew and drove out of Clearwater beach Sunday October 21 all looking forward to the 2008 Nationals which are tentatively planned for a return visit to Clearwater. All players should make sure they join AVPNext during the 2008 season to be eligible to compete in 2008 AVPNext/Wilson National Championships and $15,000 Grand Prix. For further info go to
Volleyball @ AVP.COM: Home: The #1 Volleyball Destination Online! and click on Volleyball Nation.
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