Keep up to Date with the Jr. Beach Program

The Arizona Region's Jr. Beach program has launched a Facebook page for those wishing to keep up on results, looking for partners for tournaments and other communication needs.

The Region has also launched the Jr. Beach's own photo album which can be accessed by all and pictures pulled off and printed or shared.

Thanks to Jr. Beach Coordinator Audie Gonzales for these terrific additions!

2011 Junior Beach Program Comes to an End…

This summer turned out to be very successful for the Jr. Beach Program. There were a lot of new members that joined and tons of returning players. We had some very positive feedback about this summer, especially for the Father/Daughter tournament. Even though school is starting back up, we plan to continue to have some sand tournaments throughout the year. We hope we can continue to keep growing and look forward for next year.  Thank you to all of you who participated to help make this a fun, competitive summer!!

2011 King & Queen of the Beach: JT Hatch & Jordan Anderson

On August 2nd, the annual King & Queen of the Beach tournament took place. The top six boys and top six girls in the 16’s, 18’s, and Open divisions competed for the title of King & Queen of the beach.

The top six boys that participated were: Nick Benson, Cody Martin, Jake Nuneviller, JT Hatch, Ryne Benson, and Carson Flood.

The top six girls who competed were: Lexi Anderson, Logan Rae, Maddie Mertz, Jordan Anderson, Christine Johnson, and Audie Gonzalez.

Each individual was paired up at least once with every player, and each round lasted 15 minutes. It was great competition throughout the night, and everyone was having a fun time.

By the end of the night, there was a tie between the Anderson sisters. When it came down to points, Jordan Anderson had the most making her the 2011 Queen of the Beach.

The competition for the boys was neck in neck throughout the whole night. However, JT Hatch had one more win then the rest of the boys making him the 2011 King of the Beach.

Ahwatukee Thunder Beach Volleyball League

Inagural Year a Hit

·         22 teams in all registered

·         The league name is the Ahwatukee Thunder Beach Volleyball League

·         Clubs represented included Ahwatukee Thunder, Aspire, Barcelona, East Valley Juniors, and Spiral.

·         The season was 9 weeks long finishing with a double elimination tournament

·         The games were played in the Club West area of Ahwatukee.

The first photo is the 14/16 division winners, 2nd place and third place teams pictured from left to right.  First place was Team “Lightning” (Maggie Byrne-Quinn (left) and Kylee Jaeger (right); 2nd place was team “Vance & Vance” (Allissa Vance (Left) and Jenna Vance (right); and third place was Team “Gregory and Wittekind” (Gabrielle Gregory (left) and Allyson Wittekind (right).

In the second picture , the 12U winners are far right, Team name is the “Twin Towers” (Jenna Wilson (right) and Hailey Dirrigl (left); the 2nd place team is in the middle, team name “The Three Musketeers” (Lauren Weintraub (left) Sally Rivera (middle) and Michelle Ogle (right); and the third place team on the far left, team name “The Sandblasters” (Isis Mitchell on the left and Paige Ruhlman on the right).

Also, attached is a general photo shot of the league in action with over 50 parents who showed up for the finals in what was a true “beach party” atmosphere.

As reported by Tristan

Arizona Beach Performs Well at USA Beach HP Championships

On July 14-17 in Hermosa Beach, California about 10 teams played in the 2nd annual Beach High Performance Championships representing the Arizona Region. Not only was it great to have that many teams play in it, but also how successful they were.

Lexie Anderson and Sarah Sponcil played together in the U19 Division and went undefeated the first two days.  They made it into the Gold division and lost in the second round to the U19 winners, Justine Wong & Sara Hughes of California .

In the Girls’ U17 Gold Division, Alexis Patterson and Danielle Westfall took 2nd place losing to Ciana Wagner and Lacey Knuttila of California in the finals.

In the Girls’ U15 Gold Division, Jordan Anderson and Victoria Svorinic took 2nd place; they were undefeated for all three days until the championship game where they lost to a team from Florida. Hailey Harward and Lilly Nelson made it to the Gold Bracket and got to play on Sunday. They lost first round and finished in a tie for 5th place. Tiyanna Cooper partnered up with Mia Merino from Tustin, CA and won 1st place in the Silver Division placing 9th overall. Makenna Martin and Jess Daniels took the Bronze in the Silver Division, 11th overall.

Ryne Benson and Carson Flood played up in the Boys’ U-17 Division were they finished second. They lost to the California/Colorado team of Torey DeFalco and Mitchell Decker.

Overall this weekend was a success for the Arizona Region. Thank you to those who participated! Way to represent Arizona!!

Here is the link where you can see the results:

http://usavolleyball.org/news/2011/07/20/usav-holds-2nd-annual-beach-hpc-in-hermosa-beach/43646 

These links are pictures from the tournament provided by a few that attended -

http://clubredboys.com/Picture_Gallery.php

Desert Open Winners Qualify for Chicago

The 2011 Desert Open saw 30 teams participate on a sunny and blustery day at Victory Lanes Sports Park in Glendale on May 28th.

Madeline Mertz of Glendale used the tournament to secure her spot as one of Arizona's premiere Jr. Beach players. She teamed with Sarah Sponcil to take the gold medal in the girl's 16's division, topping Jordan Anderson and Alexis Patterson 21-11, 21-7, and came back 4 hours later and won the girl's 18's division with Lexi Anderson, topping Flagstaff's duo of Courtney Leffel and Isabella Gosar 21-17, 21-15.

Nick Benson and Cody Martin combined to take the gold medal in the boy's 18's division, topping Tyler Hutchins and Jake Nuneviller in the final, 21-19, 21-10.

Brooke Coleman and Eleni Loizou topped Brooke Nuneviller and Alayna Wagner for the girl's 12's gold in a spirited final, 21-23, 21-14, 15-13.

The girl's 14's divsion saw Hailey Harward and Lilly Nelson topping Justine Spann and Tristan Moser 21-17, 21-17 for the top spot. In the boy's 14's, Ryne Benson and Carson Flood took the gold.

Mother Daughter Tournament 5/20

The 5th annual Mother/Daughter tournament was held on May 20th

There were a total of 10 teams that showed up to compete. There were 4 teams competing in the 12’s division. Team Ronda worked their way back up to the winner’s bracket defeating Team Nuneviller 21-15; then sealing the deal with a 15-11 win.

Team Pearson decided to challenge themselves and play up in the 16’s division; making a 6 team pool. Team Anderson came out victorious defeating Team Johnson 21-10 in the finals, also ending the day undefeated. Not only did Team Johnson finish 2nd, but they also won the award of Best Dressed for the tournament. Overall the Mother Daughter tournament was a great success! Congratulations to all those that played.

Az. Sky Captures Inaugural Club Sand Cup Title

Az. Sky claimed the first Arizona Region Beach Club Cup by compiling the most points based on its athlete's finishes over the 4 tournament series.

The Az. Sky team of Coleman/Loizou won the Club Cup's 12's division narrowly topping the Aspire duo of Nuneviller/Wagner. The Aspire team of Reum/Meyer won the final 12's tournament on May 15th.

East Valley's team of Harward/Nelson won the Club Cup's 14's division despite losing in the final in tournament #4 to Blake and Hackey from Aspire.

Az. Sky's Mertz/Anderson ran away with the Club Cup's 16's division despite losing in the final of the series finale to the Az Sky team of Westfall/Patterson.

The Spiral duo of Sponcil/Henderson won the 18's Club Cup with a strong early season showing.

Congratulations to all those that competed for their clubs and we hope to see you out in the spring of 2012.

AZ Region Beach 2011 - It's Baaaaaaack!

The Arizona Region's popular summer Beach Program is back for it's 9th season. Last summer over 300 athletes, from 10 to adult, played in the tournaments at Victory Lanes sports complex in Glendale.

To get started download and print out this brochure , complete and mail in the $20 program fee. Also download this REVISED calendar so you know what days your age group plays. Tournaments start the week of May 17 and conclude with the King of the Beach tournaments the first week of August.

If you are not currently a member of a junior club or adult team you will need to sign up for the Summer Membership with the AZ Region. The Beach tournaments are sanctioned events which require all to be registered members of USAV/AZ Region. The registration fee is just $15 for the entire summer and also allows for participation in camps and clinics that take place during the summer. To register for the Summer membership click here - if you have any questions with this, don't hesitate to call the Region office 480-626-6740. If you don't know your USAV # enter your 2011 club team name and we will look it up. If you were not a club member for 2011 you will need to register for the Summer Membership.

If the Region office recieves your program registration fee before May 14th, you will recieve a special free gift from the Region at your first tournament.

Check in for tournaments begins at 5:30 pm, tournaments START at 6:00 pm - unless otherwise posted. Special Tournament check-in will be 1 hour prior to the posted start time.

If you are unable to play on the date your age group plays or if you want to play more than your age group is scheduled, you may "play up" in an older age group on another date but you may not "play down" in a younger age group.

Special tournaments and events will be posted on this page.

Aspire Gains Ground in Beach Cup #3

The Region sand Beach Cup series saw its third offering under a hot sun and some old and  new faces collect medals on April 17th at Victory Lanes sports park.

In the 22 team 12’s tournament, the Aspire team of Neneviller /Wagner came from behind to nip fellow Aspire team mates Reum /Meyer 16-14 for the gold medal.

The Spiral team of VanDevender /Steagall didn’t lose a match all afternoon and topped the Falcon’s Mei/Yoder for the 14’s crown, 21-13 in the final.

In the 16’s division, Arrowhead’s Buzimkic /Eaton topped their club mates Bove /Whitman to win the gold medal 15-10 in the final.

Congratulations to all who played and thanks to the spectators and coaches for their enthusiasm and help.

Club Beach Cup #2 Sees Sky Still Soaring

Az. Sky still holds the Club points lead after the second installment of the Club Cup Beach series that pits players from the same clubs against others for medals and points toward the Club Cup Beach Championships in May.

The Az. Sky team of Coleman/Loizou topped the Club Red duo of Moreland/Martin for the 12's gold on the March 6th tournament at Victory Lanes. The 14's gold was won again by East Valley's formidable pair, Harward/Nelson who topped Az Sky's Woods/Weiles in a 17-15 final.

The 16's saw an all Az. Sky final with Mertz/Anderson repeating their gold winning performance, this time against Westphal/Patterson. On the 18's side, the Barcelona team of Cippoletti/Echeverria defeated the Spiral team of Carmen/Pickering for the gold.

The third installment of the series is Sunday, April 17th.

The Current Club standings after the second tournament are as follows:

Jrs. Coed Beach Valentine's Tournament Pics

Beach Doubles Program

Boy's Tournament Sees Future

The Arizona Region sponsored a free boy's beach tournament on Sunday, January 23rd at Victory Lanes Sports Park.

Nick Benson and Quinton Campbell topped the boy's 18's division beating Drew Davis and Daniel Villela, 25-19 in the final.

Jacob Karlsson and Cody Williams topped Collin Russel and Alex Boyce, 25-22 to win the 16's division.

Ryne Benson and Carson Flood took a 25-22, 25-15 win over Connor GRiffin and Jake Boyce in the boy's 14's divsion.

Congratulations to all the guys who came out.

Region Announces Club Beach Cup Series

The Arizona Region is taking its popular Junior Beach Program into the spring of 2011 and adding the competitive club fire to the mix.

The Region's Club Beach Cup Series is a set of three tournaments throughout the spring that will culminate with the top point earning teams from the Region's clubs competing in the finals for their club's chance to take home the Arizona Region's Club Beach Cup.

Teams from the same club and by age group will play other club's teams in the same age group. Point are awarded based on finish and number of teams per age group in that tournament. Points will be posted on this site after each tournament and teams will be awarded medals for first and second place per age group.

Teams can play as many tournaments as they want.

There is no preregistratoin required as all Club players are already USA Volleyball members.

Dates for these tournaments are:

• January 30
• March 6
• April 17
• May 15 is the finals

Cost for all tournaments is $20 per team.

All tournaments will be held at Victory Lanes Sports Park. For directions to Victory Lanes, click here. There is a $2 admission.

Times will be as follows:

• 16's will register at 9 a.m. for a 9:30 a.m. start.
• 12's will register at 11 a.m. for an 11:30 a.m. start.
• 18's will register at 1:30 p.m. for a 2:00 p.m. start
• 14's will register at 3:30 p.m. for a 4:00 p.m. start.

IF YOU ARE LATE, YOU RISK NOT BEING PUT INTO THE TOURNAMENT!

To download the informational flyer, click here.

For other questions, e-mail here.

Holiday Beach Tournament Fun for All

The Arizona Region hosted the Holiday Family Beach tournament at Victory Lanes on December 18th to rave reviews and 70 degree skies.

A family 4's division was played earlier while the Mother/Father- Daughter doubles teams played well into dusk.

The team of Brinkerhoff/Galley topped Team Rondas to win the family fours title. Team Galley topped Team Brinkerhoff for the 16's doubles while the Believers topped Team Arenas for the 14's gold. Richardson/Lombarb topped the Rondas for the 12's gold medal.

For photos of the event, go here.

Picture Gallery for 2009 Jr. Beach

Thanks to K. Gott and M. Vilella

Interested in Sand Leagues?

Victory Lanes offers Adult coed beach leagues.
For more information, contact Lisa at 623-581-6000