Fun in the sun 4 on 4 beach volleyball style.
July 26, 2010
This weekend Gabby and co were back at the AVP event in Long Beach, CA playing a 4 on 4 competition thanks to Nike, Paul Mitchell, Bud Light, and Nivea/AVP. As most of Gabby’s fans know she used to play pro beach 4’s on the Bud Light Pro Beach 4 Person Tour. It folded in 2000 and has yet to make a comeback. Gabby with her love for the game still strong put together a couple events to coexist with the doubles tour (AVP). With the sad news today that the AVP is struggling it only makes this past weekend that much sweeter. Like most businesses (and people) today they are getting hit hard because of the economy. We are all praying beach volleyball will prevail. Not only are many athletes depending on the paychecks but its all they know. It takes years and years of training and grind to become a pro athlete and not something you can easily let go of. It would be a shame if we don’t get to see players like Misty May, Kerri Walsh, Elaine Youngs, Rachael Wachholder, Nicole Branaugh etc etc play. They are tremendous role models for girls and women around the world.
Enjoy these photos from the weekend. I know this will not be the last time we see Kerri Walsh, the best female athlete in the world play but it may be the last time we see Gabby play.
2010 AVP Nivea Tour
$200,000 AVP Nivea Tour Long Beach Open presented by Malibu
Long Beach, Calif. July 24 – 25, 2010
Four-Person Results (Sunday, July 25)
Semifinals
Team Malibu (Leanne McSorley – captain, Lisa Rutledge, Jenny Kropp, Angela Lewis) d. Team Nivea (Lisa Zimmerman – captain, Kerri Walsh, Tracy Jones, Keao Burdine), 21-18, 24-26, 15-12;
Team Paul Mitchell (Nancy Reynolds – captain, Dianne DeNecochea, Carrie Dodd, Diane Copenhagen) d. Team Nike (Gabrielle Reece – captain, Brittany Hochevar, Priscilla Lima, Raquel Caulkins), 21-17, 24-22.
Championship
Team Paul Mitchell (Nancy Reynolds – captain, Dianne DeNecochea, Carrie Dodd, Diane Copenhagen) d. Team Malibu (Leanne McSorley – captain, Lisa Rutledge, Jenny Kropp, Angela Lewis), 21-17, 21-17.