AVP Valley Center Recap
Nygaard/Mayer cycling home after their first win...
I generally don’t do this, but I figured after reading Todd’s recap of SD (Valley Center) on his blog, I would follow suit.
Anthony and I opened the tournament with a single elimination battle royale against the 24th seeded team of Austin Rester and Jonathan Acosta. I have a feeling you think that I’m exaggerating; but oh, no no, I am not. The final score: 16-14 in the 3rd set; to survive and advance. Don’t kid yourself, it was more than just a little stressful. In fact, we were actually down 7-9 when Austin stuffed my high line shot that would have given them 10, and an almost insurmountable lead late in the game the way they were siding out; only to be covered by the knuckles of my forefinger and thumb, and then set perfectly by my diving partner just outside the court. In disbelief at where the ball ended up after all of that, I jumped and swung angle off the outside of Austin’s left arm. 8-9. What a difference a play makes. At 9-10, I blocked Jonathan. At 10-10, Anthony served an untouchable ace right down the middle of the court. And at 15-14, I dove back into the line and blocked Jonathan for the match. Done. And we moved on to the 2nd round that afternoon against Mariano/Ratlidge. Before I get to that, Acosta and Rester played a great match. Jonny is a young talent and Austin is a strong force at the net; I don’t think that’s the last we’ll hear of this team.
In round 2, we played considerably more fluent. I think it had to do with the absence of pressure after surviving the first round “do or die” match. Final scores were 21-15, 21-18. Anthony served great, played astounding defense and set really well. I did what I could by siding out at a decent tip and blocked a few balls at the net. Actually, not to pat myself on the back, but finishing Friday with 14 blocks and a career best 2.8 blocks/game average meant a lot to me. I have never been referred to as a “big” guy, or even a decent blocker, so taking home the title for even one day of a tournament is a serious blocking confidence booster. Not to mention, I finished the tournament tied for 3rd with Jeff Nygaard, who won the damn thing, and only behind Jake Gibb and Sean Scott. That’s pretty good company, I don’t care what anyone says.
Now, that was Friday. 2-0. All is good. Off to the casino to throw down $20 on black… You know how it is. If only it could have remained Friday for the rest of the weekend.
On Saturday, we opened up play with Dalhausser/Rogers and got crushed. They’re just too good. They really are. I know they had an off weekend and took a 5th. And I know this could have been my best shot to beat them. But I also know that their 50% game is better than 98% of the rest of the field. And I know we didn’t play well enough to warrant a victory. What’s truly unfortunate is; how we let our negative mojo carry over into the next match with Prosser/Brazao at 9th place in the loser’s bracket. So, to recap against Phil and Todd, we got them in trouble on our serves, but it wasn’t enough to get them out of rhythm, Phil blocked every hard driven ball I made even the slightest mistake on, and Todd dug every shot I didn’t place exactly where I wanted. They’re awesome, and they’re still going to win Houston despite their little set back at the worst beach volleyball venue ever assembled.
Against Matt Prosser and Pedro Brazao, we seemed to be suffering from a hangover brought on by the Beast. We didn’t serve well, we sided out marginally, and we didn’t score enough points to place them in any real danger of losing their lead. Unfortunately, that leads to a loss and an angry car ride home with the wife. Pedro and Matt played good, consistent volleyball against us and deserved the win. Regardless, there’s no enjoyment in losing, and I have zero interest in putting forth that kind of lackluster effort in a tournament ever again.
As for the tournament… and its location… and its setup… and the fans that didn’t come… and the fact that it was a complete bust on every, conceivable level… Well, I hate to be the guy every week killing the positive beach vibe with criticism, but seriously? I don’t even know how to respond to this weekend’s venue. Don’t think I won’t try though…
First, it was so far off the beaten path that no one had any idea where it was located. Second, even the fans that knew where it was, and how long it would take them to drive there from the actual city of San Diego, didn’t go. Third, even patrons of the fine Harrah’s Casino didn’t remove themselves from their seats at the slots long enough to venture outside and see some professional beach volleyball. Bottom line: There was absolutely no one there. And rightly so, there are real beaches lining the coast less than an hour west that would have made for a perfect home for Professional “Beach” Volleyball. I guess it’s time for a new title for the tour:
AVP Professional Sand Volleyball Tour
Perhaps this was the final straw for folks who have played the game, enjoyed the game, watched the game, and been fans of those athletes who have tried making the game a career? Maybe this tournament represented our entire fan base finally speaking out, “We will not drive hours inland to a casino in the middle of nowhere to watch a sport that was meant to be played on a beach and not man-made sand courts reminiscent of a Midwest bar! Nor will we spend $20 a ticket in this economy, per day, to watch the sport we love that we have always enjoyed watching for free!” Sounds about right, right? I mean, at what price do we completely eliminate our fan base; the primary supporters of our way of life?
So, time to get into the knitty gritty. In order to build a tournament on a real beach it costs money, lots of money. Sometimes, even hundreds of thousands of dollars. Why? Because beach communities and city governments like to extort properties that even think of bringing a commercial venue to their sands. It’s a joke. It really is. The battle that wages on behind closed doors determining our fate in locations such as Hermosa, Manhattan, Santa Barbara, Huntington and San Diego would make you want to puke in your own mouth. Fortunately, we don’t have to suffer through the politics. Unfortunately, those same politics seem to have grown so strong, they’re now forcing us out of the prime locations I just mentioned and into places like Valley Center and Harrah’s Rincon Casino. And the problem with that is, fans in Southern California watch beach volleyball because it allows them to enjoy the game they love being played on an actual beach. After witnessing the turnout this weekend, there doesn’t seem to be any tolerance by the fans for inexcusable decisions like taking the AVP to Valley Center. Or, charging $20/head for a day’s viewing pleasure.
So, we save a ton of money by skipping the ocean and playing on the Reservation, but we lose a ton of fans and ticket sales are almost non-existent, and not to mention, “Sponsor Row” receives almost zero attention for the three days their tents are set up in an effort to attract potential customers, rendering their invested dollars essentially wasted. I ask you, at what cost do we continue to try and save money? Rest assured, you, the fan, know the correct answer. And you also know that tickets should cost no more than $20 for the entire weekend, or perhaps even $5/day. Let’s be real. The sponsors need consumers at their tents perusing merchandise or they’re going to pull their plugs as well, and that’s where our tour generates most of its revenue, sponsors. If each brand or company that has invested in the AVP isn’t able to produce the impressions it was guaranteed because of limited on-site attendance, why would they continue to support the tour?
Back to the positive…
The Hotel was terrific. The rooms were great, the food was excellent and the pool was legendary. It’s just too bad it was in the middle of nowhere. Ahhh crap, that was negative again. The hotel really was wonderful.
And, as for the winners of this tournament, nothing but positives there. First, I have to give big congratulations to John Mayer for winning his first Open. The guy is playing superb volleyball right now and deserves the rewards he is receiving. Second, his partner, Jeff Nygaard, who was basically two steps away from the qualifier a year ago, has been nothing short of amazing this year in beating the Beast in Riverside, and now Gibb/Rosenthal twice in one tourney to take home the crown. Congrats gentlemen.
For the women, Lisa Rutledge represented her nearby residence of San Diego with pride by earning her first spot in a final with a win over Jen Kessy and April Ross. Brooke Hanson and Rutledge battled through the loser’s bracket before finally succumbing to defeat at the hands of Youngs and Branagh, winners of the first three Opens. I can only imagine how nerve racking her first final was to compete in and after watching their performance, I expect to see many more from her down the road. Congrats to both teams for a great tournament.
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Not very relevant to your blog, but it’s great seeing you and Anthony as a team. Both hand set, and a lot of fire. Huge Fan of you both on the court and your blogs. Keep it up!
-Peter
Big Thumbs up to AVP TV.
I got the team together to watch both your matches on Sat on AVP TV. That is a great GREAT service. Heck, I would even be willing to pay a nominal fee for that service for the whole tour. It can’t be that expensive to run.
Is there any remedy for what beaches “charge” to use them? Is it like that in every city? Does somewhere like Chicago charge that much?
Thanks for your feedback about the tourney, Hans. You and Anthony had a great match against Ryan/Ed that I watched. p.s. you helped my fantasy team get some needed points!
Hans
I love your posts as you keep many of us in the know as to the day to day life of the AVP players and your trials and tribulations in trying to make the AVP go. As a past promoter, I can say every event is different in the expenses they incur to make for a successful event. In some locations (on the beach) it’s the cost of rent for the area and I’m sure that varies as well as the cost of bulilding a stadium which is in the six figures. For off beach, it’s the building of the stadium to the cost of sand and building of courts that are the biggest expenses. I do believe the current AVP team is looking at ways to make it work for everyone involved, as I’d like to see the AVP back in my town.
Best of luck
Hey Hans,
Thanks for another insightful post. I had a great time out at Valley Center, but I agree that there weren’t nearly enough fans out there. I really like watching you and Anthony play. You guys really bring a lot of energy and passion to it, while many of the other teams seem a little lifeless out there. Best of luck in Houston and beyond.
- Evan
Hans,
I’m really fascinated by the Armato resignation. It seemed like he saved the sport back in the day.
Can you say a few things about what other players thought about what was right and wrong with the Armato regime?
P.S.: I thought the signature on the ball was a bit egotistical….does David Stern have his signature on NBA balls?
P.S.: Any thoughts on Ring and Roumain? I know that you played with Jason in the past and you’re both right side players.
Hey Hans,
Great write-up as always. And mega-kudos to you at the net. Just insane stats, pure and simple.
My explanation for the AVP’s site selection at the casino was mostly to appease the players – just like the G&G events being held in Vegas in years past.
And I think the costs for inland may indeed be more expensive than the majority of the beach locations. For example, how much can a CA beach charge (before Men’l Day/after Labor Day) and how much can a Belmar or Sleezside bill the AVP?
I also believe that those fans who balk at paying $20 for a full day of pro competition are nuts. Where else can you get that much bangin’ for the buck?
Lastly, for the sponsors, some of the new ones may be scratching their heads at the AVP’s logic. But some of the long-time sponsors certainly take such dismal fan turnouts in stride – as long as their signs get some airplay on Versus TV 2 weeks from now!
Hans,
You know I would have been there but I couldn’t because of a family obligation. As I once told you that I once said in a letter to the local newspaper editor, that the AVP is my Disneyland. I don’t sweat what happens outside the lines of the court. If the level of action inside those lines falls beyond par, then I will take interest (Billy it certainly hasn’t fallen to date). My feelings are still the same, as there were two years earlier when I wrote that letter.
My comment about the webcast. I like it for the most part. Only thing lose the guy who does the play by play. It is like he is directly out of some 1-800-broadcasting school. When watching I would turn my volume down so I wouldn’t have to listen to him. That’s all. Oh yeah nice job on the block this weekend. Don’t break your arm patting yourself on the back though. LOL!
MAS
Hans:
Thanks for an honest appraisal (sp?) of the site selection.
What is up with the AVP this year? No Dig (as far as my DVR can find), no television coverage what so ever (as far as my DVR can find), no beach play (Riverside?? Valley Center??? What??!!).
I live in San Diego. I would (and have) paid to see the game I love to play in San Diego and Manhattan, and in Arizona (while in College). Fans will pay, but we’re not going to get screwed.
I’m sorry, but I’m not going to a game in Valley Center when it should be played at South Mission. I’d rather go out and play myself. Be fair and we’ll be fair.
I know that you seem to think that the change in leadership is a good thing, but to me (at least as of right now) it seems to be going the wrong way. The tour seemed to be getting much better coverage the last few years; somewhat of a resurgence. Then last year the Manhattan Fiasco and this year the non-existence Sand tour (as you called it).
I hope the tour survives. Seems to be swirling down the tank from my vantage point. I hope the new leadership rights the ship and does it soon as I love this game!!
Hey Patrick,
Hang in there. The new AVP mgmt is trying to turn things around – in a rough economy and in the shadows of the burned bridges left behind by Armato and his crew. (For the untold story about the AVP tour, check out: http://www.orderonthecourt.com )
So, the financially strapped tour is struggling and doing all it can to cut costs this season. MOst all AVP events will be tape-delayed on Versus, and the NBC will actually televise a few tourneys live! Expect a resurgence come 2011 – a year before the London Games. Until then, support the AVP all you can. Talk up the tour every cbance you get. The sport needs all the help it can solicit – otherwise, it will head into bankruptcy.
Thought about coming out to see my buddy Brent play on day 2 but the reality of driving inland and paying $20 per person when I could just go down to Doheny and see the same action for free……it was a no brainer. Got to get the CA tourneys back to the real beach because even the serious fans of the game in So Cal really don’t care to watch it at the Home Depot Center, a casino or any place where the game was not meant to be played. Find a way to make a buck doing it on the beach because sooner or later it will end up back there anyway. Why not just skip the “sand volleyball” experiment and make the game core again.
Steve, Jason Ring is a freak athlete. And a good friend. I thoroughly enjoyed the few tournaments I played with him and am glad I caught him before he finally traded in the board shorts for contractor’s pants. He’s working full time now as a licensed contractor, and from what I hear, doing quite well. Him and big George haven’t practiced enough to make a legitimate run at the final four again but don’t ever count those two out. They’re both physical enough to overpower just about anybody on tour.
Kurt, excellent feedback on AVP TV. It is essential to have some method of visual media and the internet seems to be the most cost effective. My only complaint is that it took away my job as AVP Radio color guy, and for some reason, I’m no longer cool enough to speak to the masses if there is video involved. All I can say is, bummer.
As far as the difference in setup costs between natural beaches and man-made “parking lot” courts, the price to build a complete tournament from scratch is obviously more expensive, the problem is that beach communities are charging the AVP hundreds of thousands of dollars to bring a venue to their sands. So, in some bizarro universe, throwing together a tournament at the likes of South Mission Beach becomes more costly than putting together the catastrophe we referred to as Valley Center. It’s a crime on infinite levels. Either way, we need to be at the beach. We’re professional “Beach” volleyball for crying out loud. Or, maybe I just miss the ocean after I lose?
Hans
Hans,
Great post but I was curious about your ripping of the venue (location, etc)… Do you feel that the venue, ticket costs, etc. are more of the residual aftermath of Leonard than a reflection of Jason and the direction he intends to steer the ship? I guess what I mean is this… When I think of anything (and everything) that is wrong with the AVP at this moment, my first thought is to think “well, give it time..new management may correct this after he’s had some time to fix it.” Do you feel your venting may be, while certainly understandable given the tours recent history of poor business decisions, premature to do until the new management has a fair chance to identify and fix all that is wrong?
Thanks for the blog, always interesting reading! Now get off the PC, we want to see you in a few finals!!
Mike,
I must not be very clear in my blog as to why I didn’t like the venue in Valley Center because you’re not the first person to question my direction of thought. First off, Valley Center still falls under the umbrella of former management, it has nothing to do with our current CEO, or our future. I believe it is all going to change for the better, and it started moving in that direction the moment Jason Hodell took over.
Second, I use this blog as a way to express my opinion regarding what is happening now. No one showed up for Valley Center and I’m merely stating my opinion as to why that was. I just don’t want us to get that far from our roots, which is playing on real beaches, with everybody enjoying the beach culture and atmosphere. It’s written critical analysis. That’s all. Something the tour hasn’t had a whole lot of since it’s inception. Not trying to offend anyone, just telling it how it is. And yes, I think we’re moving in a terrific direction with Hodell. He gets it, and the players respect that. Which should only lead to great things.
Hans
Cool, good thoughts Hans…thanks for your time in responding. I just had that thought go through my head so I figured I would pose the questions to you.
I wish you, the tour and Jason a MUCH deserved success. My feeling when I heard of Hodell getting the position was “wow, a player with a work ethic second to none and a refusal to accept failure..this has GOT to be a good thing.” I will always remember Jason as a player who I witnessed playing a long one day tournament in east coast humidity, losing a semifinal match and putting on a weight vest for a 30 minute plyo workout (while the rest of the players, including myself, were watching the finals and eating cheesefries).
Thanks for the response…and again, keep up the good work (on the court and on the keyboard equally).
Mike
hans, i’m an east coast fan and when i realized that the only tournament scheduled north of Maryland this summer was going to be way out in Long Island but no where near the beach, i was infuriated and perplexed at the same time. i wrote the avp expressing how i felt they stabbed the the NJ and NYC fans in the back, tested area fans loyalty beyond reasonable limits, and were doing a great job at imploding the sport. i was pleasantly surprised to see that a few weeks later Long Island had been dropped in favor of Coney Island. i recall that you mentioned that you were upset at the cancelation of the Long Island event, but trust me, that was definitely not in your nor any other players long term intrests. that stop would only be justifiable if the tour was looking to expand the tour past 30-40 stops, which i can’t forsee too soon…
over all, there will always be a few non beach side events, but replacing existing beach venues with manufactured ones only an hour from the coast screams failure on the part of the organizers and is hugely frustrating to the affected beach going fan base