As summer comes to an end, we begin to reflect on the 2014 season. There have been ups and downs: partner break ups, upsets and injuries. But aside from all of that, all of the athletes have put on quite a show and have not let down the amazing crowds we’ve had at all of our events.
The Atlantic City Open was one for the books. The windy weather made the players play a completely different ball game. Kerri Walsh Jennings and April Ross ALMOST had a set taken off of them when they played Megan Wallin and Kat Piening early in the tournament, but pulled out the win 21-18, 23-21. In the finals, Kerri and April fought from behind in the first set vs Emily Day and Summer Ross to win 21-19, 21-12. This was the first finals this AVP season that Kerri and April did not play Lauren Fendrick and Brooke Sweat (who did not play the event due to injury).
On the men’s side, there were a couple new 3rd place teams (Trevor Crabb/Billy Allen and Stafford Slick/Adrian Carambula), but Ryan Doherty and Nick Lucena met Casey Patterson and Jake Gibb in the finals for the third time this season. Casey and Jake pulled out back-to-back wins and beach Ryan and Nick 21-15, 21-14.
With the Huntington Beach Championships just around the corner, a lot of questions are brewing… Will the dominant team of Kerri and April continue their winning streak and come out on top, or will another women’s team have the upset of the season? Will Casey Patterson and Jake Gibb keep up the momentum they have and finish on a high note, or will there be a new winner as the men’s side has had many upsets late in the season?
All we know is the Huntington event will bring out a great crowd as some of the best athletes in the US compete in the sand. Teams are preparing for the championships, and with this weekend off, they’ll have some time to rest their bodies and come prepared to dominate.