Great day at an incredible beach. Lot of teams today, I heard one of the biggest turnouts on the east coast ever, 370+ teams, WOW. And much thanks to the guys at Dig the Beach for the continual reminder and encouragement of our fellow baller Ranse Jones and he continues his fight. Late in the day on the Womens side, Tara Kuk and Kim Whitney took down Kristen Batt and Brooke Sweat. 

On the Mens side, Top seed Mike Dipierro and Steve Grotowski lost in game 3 in a back and forth battle to the Corona Wide Open Champs the week previous, Rodrigo and Billy the BRAZILIANS. in the semi-final. In the other semi-final, Adrian Carambula and Matt Henderson knocked off Tyler Lesneski and JD Christie in 3 games. The championship will be played tomorrow as we ran out of daylight at the end.

The biggest tournament on the east coast this weekend was the Corona Wide Open. Bringing it back to the ol' school, no antennas, big court, and side out scoring. Bringing home the championship was the 2 Brazilians Billy and Rodrigo knocking off AVP regular Al Hanneman and Kevin Craig. Mike Morales / Adrian Carambula took home a respectable 3rd and Dave Dipierro / Paul Christopher finished 4th.

On the womens side of the Corona Wide Open, Kendra VanZ and Michelle Piantadosi took home the championship. Congrats to them.

At the Preakness, AVP Regulars Priscilla Lima and Claire D' Amore knocked off Tara Kuk and Kim Whitney.

Over here on the west coast of Florida, Rockstar had a small tournament this weekend. In the finals, JD Christe and Matt Henderson knocked off Jody Pigford and Joey Cash.

Still waiting on the results of the GAV and EEVB tournaments in NY. If anyone has anymore results, please share them with the crowd. Congrats to all the volleyballers out there enjoying the summer playing on the beach, win or loose play hard and don't talk too much ish.

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/ransejones/journal

East Coast to West, our hearts and prayers go out to the Fighter, Ranse Jones. Here is the latest update.

• MONDAY, MAY 10, 2010 8:38 AM, EDT

  I spoke with Mr. Jones a second ago, but not much has changed and they're headed to the hospital here shortly.   He also called to see how to get to Ranse's page on the Caring Bridge website.  I don't think Mr. Jones has had a chance to see the site and know he will be overwhelmed with how much support Ranse is receiving.  I know I am every time I sign in.  
  
  I will hopefully get an update sometime soon.  Thank you for all the pictures.
  
  Mike Minich, the tournament director in Panama City emailed me with details of what happened... we are thankful for all that he, Joey and everyone there did for Ranse.  
  
     I was watching the match Ranse was playing in. Semi-finals actually.    Well into the first game, he left the court and sat down in a chair. He looked in distress so I grabbed Joey Middlebrooks and we ran to the court where friends were gathering. Joey is  a fellow player and a local firefighter and EMT. He took charge immediately and called his fire station to respond. He also instructed the fire station to call the ambulance.

  Joey and another player carried Ranse up to a table to await the responders. Joey was there the whole time taking care of Ranse and when the fire fighters and ambulance arrived he went to the hospital with him. Ranse never went into violent  convulsions, but complained his left side was numb and you could tell he was very concerned. Perhaps from his training as paramedic he might have had some idea of what was happening.

  This was the first time I had the opportunity to meet Ranse. He came over to our table and talked with my staff and me and we all could tell immediately how good a person he is. I read your comments about the volleyball community and agree completely. I also am comforted knowing that even though this happened to Ranse in some way maybe we helped out.

  All of my staff and I am pulling as hard as we can for Ranse.
  

  Mike

  
  
  
  

• SUNDAY, MAY 9, 2010 9:07 PM, EDT

  I just wanted to let you know that I spoke to Ranse's dad a bit ago and they both are staying strong.  Barbara has been out of the country and is trying to get back as soon as possible... all of my strength and prayers go to her and all of Ranse's family.
  
  Chris Keen had a couple of photos that he sent me and if anyone has any they would like to post please email them to me and I will do my best to post them.  
  
  We've won the first game of the match... now we just need to close... but knowing Ranse... he loves a third set tie-break  :) 
  
  
  

• SUNDAY, MAY 9, 2010 3:48 PM, EDT

  Hey Everyone...
  
  I talked with Stu Ryan this morning and he was able to update me... the Doctor met with Ranse's family and said there is still too much swelling to see how little damage there is and over the next 48-72 hours they should have a better idea of what is going on.  The clot is still there and about the size of a tennis ball.  It is unfortunately pushing on the brain stem and that creates a little hiccup in his healing process.  That may not sound too good, but I feel like I've been pushing on his brain stem for the last 20 years... so he should be used to it.  :)  He is currently on a ventilator to assist with his breathing and as time and swelling subsides this process will return. 
  
  I will try to get another update at some point tonight.   
  
  Again, positive thoughts and prayers go a long way.  Please keep Ranse in your hearts.  
  
  P.S.  I know my jargon isn't medically correct, so if someone has a more clear way of describing what is going on... please email me. 
  

  SUNDAY, MAY 9, 2010 10:16 AM, EDT

  I'm not clear on all the details, but here is what I know so far.  Yesterday, Ranse was in Panama City Beach, Florida playing in a tournament and during is semifinal match he sat down between plays and the tournament director Mike Minich noticed something was wrong.  With the help of friend/player and fortunately an firefighter/EMT, Joey Middlebrooks, they were able to get him to a hospital quickly where the doctors diagnosed him with a brain aneurysm.  I know it's hard to see the positive in a situation like this, but having it happen at a tournament may be the best thing that could have happened. With good people and friends around he was able to get immediate medical attention. 
  
  After a long night of surgery, the doctors were able to stop the clot from bleeding and the next 72 hours is crucial to his recovery.  We know Ranse is a fighter and having made it this far is wonderful news.  We know his strength and our prayers will help him through this waiting period.  For now all we can do is pray and send positive thoughts his way... so please let him know how much we care and love him.  
  
  During times like these, it amazes me how tightly connected the volleyball community is... I just want to thank everyone for the sleepless night some of you have put in, the text messages, the updates and just the love for one of our own.  Please continue to stay positive.
  
  The doctor is supposed to update the family here shortly and any news I find out, I will let you know.  
  
  Richard 
  

All the hype this weekend has been around the Santa Barbara AVP and muct love to our EAST COAST teams representing well. Mike Dipierro and Steve Grotowski take home a 7th on the Mens side and only lost by 2 in game 3 to Hyden and Scott to advance further. On the Womens side Kristen Batt and Brooke Sweat also took home a career best 7th place finish loosing by 2 in game 3 as well to advance.

At the same time, over here on the EAST COAST, AVP held the Young Guns 26< tournament in Ft Laudy this weekend. Adrian Carambula and Rafu Rodriguez took down the young VanZ brothers Mark and Steve in the finals. Steve may still have had a sore knee from running down my cut shot last weekend though. 3rd place finished went to Drew Mallin / John "lil bro" Grotowski and Orlando Irizarry / Stafford Slick. 

Congrats to all East Coasters this past weekend and good luck on your main draw bid Adrian / Rafu

Lots of injuries and forfeits throughout the day. Apparently in this Grand Prix event some Open players were allowed to substitute in a fresh partner if there partner got hurt, but others were not allowed the same luxury. Interesting rule adjustments to say the least, but in the end the best teams survived to the finals

Mike Dipierro and Steve Grotowski own the East Coast at this time. This week they knock off Billy Chenoweth and Roger Corbitt late in the day. Melo & Osborn and Goings & Lanteigne fall short with 3rd place finished.  Check out Dipierro and Grotowski's battle with Rosie & Gibb in Ft Laudy @ www.vball.tv

On the womens side, Tara Kuk & Kim Whitney reunited to knock off #1 seeded Kristen Batt & Brooke Sweat. In the semis Morgan Flarity & Rasa Virsilate and Marcella Gamarra & Damaris Flores were knocked off and end with 3rd place finished.

http://www.bvbinfo.com/Tournament.asp?ID=2274&Process=QBracket

After several revisions, are the brackets set??? Let's start out with conspiracy theory #1: the AVP has it out for the EAST COAST. Dipierro / Grotowski vs Heath / Carambula in the 2nd round of Quali's, say it ain't so. Either team will do well in the main draw and win every bracket in the qualifier, but to play each other in the second round, ouch.

Here are my picks to come out to the main draw:

Heagy/Pray roll in the top bracket

Elliot / Walls knock off Macau / Jones in a close East Coast Battle

Burnham / Wight make it out to the main draw

Engle / Fuller knock off Lesneski / Craig

Dipierro / Grotowski survive Heath / Carambula early then take care of Kaslow / Wooliver late

Hill / Jensen cruise to the main

Iordanov / Lunnen knock off Black / Allstot

Fischer / Robbins roll through the bottom bracket

On the Womens side the Qualy bracket breaks down as follows: http://www.bvbinfo.com/Tournament.asp?ID=2275&Process=QBracket

Fiume / Munson represent the East Coast as the #1 seed and get in no problem

Brinkman / Bruning 

Coverdale / Hayes

Carter / Phillips 

Batt / Sweat make it in and we are expecting big things from them in Ft Laudy

Keith / Morin

Gamarra / VanZ pull an upset and sneak in

Whitney / Wright with the 31 seed make in knocking off #2 Gray / Babcock

The results from today’s tournament on beautiful Hollywood are in. The weather was great albeit a little windy. Top teams played very even matches until the end as the constant crowd along the broadwalk loved the action. The women are playing tomorrow, Wednesday.

1 Michael DiPierro/Steve Grotowski

2 Adam Roberts/Joey Dykstra

3 Justin Phipps/Kent Ammons

3 Chris Keen/Rafu Rodriguez

5 Dana Camacho/Avery Drost

5 William Chenoweth/Matt Henderson

7 James Vanzwieten/Jason Aucoin

7 Leon Lucas/David DiPierro

9 OGUZ DEGIRMENCI/Mike Thompson

9 Jeff Skipper/Ethan Roseborough

9 Yariv Lerner/Jordan Hendrick

9 Don Jelks/Miguel Hernandez

On the Mens side Adrian Carambula and Steve Grotowski dominated the competition throughout the tournament. No one scored more than 16 points all day on the Champions. The pair beat Ranse Jones and Chris Keen in the finals with no problem after knocking out Tim Wolliver and Colin Kaslow in the semifinals. Coach Mike "The Best Coach Eva" Morales take full credit for their success, lol.

In the other semifinal, Ranse and Keen took down Ossie Barreras and Rafu Rodriguez. #1 Seed Dana Camacho and Tim Church were not a factor in the tournament placing 9th.

On the Womens side Brooke Sweat and Kristen Batt continue their dominance of the East Coast taking down a team from Chicago, Erin Gray and Kathryn Babcock in the finals. In the semis Brooke and Kristen knocked out Shayna Munson and Diane Fiume while Erin and Kathryn defeated Cindy Philips and Morgan Flarity. 

More results to come.

The Villages opened a new sand court, and wanted to promote the sport to the residents (The Villages is a retirment community with 75,000 residents). On the Mens side, Drew Mallen, JD Christie, Justin Phipps, and Andy Wimmer played and on the Womens side, Brooke Sweat, Shayna Munson, Morgan Flarity, and Claire Yountas competed. Morgan, Shayna, and Brooke went 2-1 so we held a tie breaker to 15, with Morgan and Brooke having least points against, they split and Morgan/Shayna won 16-14 with a great finish, Morgan crushing it straight down (see the vid on my page) On the guyz side, Andy went 3-0 to take the King.....the last game finished with he and Justin coming from behind and finsishing in style 28-26 (games were to 28). Check out the video on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=383936598815&ref=mf

The games were strong, the crowd loved it, and the players had a great time as well. Thx for the update Erik

Ft Lauderdale is the place to be this weekend and next for volleyball players and fans. I got word on some of the Mens teams this weekend. Dana Camacho and Tim Church got the #1 seed based on AVP points though my bet is on Adrian "Jefecito" Carambula and Steve "Down on Bended Knee" Grotowski. #1 ECBVB player Mike Dipierro can't play this weekend due all the AVP points he has racked up. Other teams include: Ranse Jones and Chris Keen, Tyler L and Kevin Craig, Drew Malin and Justin got Phipps'd, Steve VanZ and JRod.

Check back for results and chime in on your picks this weekend by commenting on this post. Stay tuned...