Ended up taking 4th place here in Brasilia, Brazil. We started out vs. Nick/Brad as they were the 32nd seed. Brad had no points or seed value as he had never played in an international event and Nick only had 60 points and a 17th from last year in Dubai. We beat them 13 and 14. Then we played Estonia and beat them in 3 games. I was not very good that game but we scored a lot of points in the 1st and 3rd games and were able to pull it out. That was on Thursday.
On Friday we lost our quarterfinal game to Marcio/Fabio. They were very fired up and Phil and I were kind of lethargic. They beat us 19 and 16 to put us in the losers bracket. In the 9th place game we played Pedro and Pedro from Brazil. They are both young talented players who will be playing for a long time. We played well and beat them 13 and 16 to advance to Saturday.
On Saturday we played a brazilian qualifier team name Rodrigo and Bernardo. They played great in the first game winning 21-19 as they sided out every time but once. We actually sided out everytime but twice and that was the difference. In the second game it was close but at the end we scored a bunch of points and won 21-16. In the third we pulled ahead from the get go and won 15-9 or so. Our next game we played Dieckmann and Matysik. They are a new German pair with potent jump serves. We came out really strong and smoked them in the first like 21-12. In the second we were up 11-7 when they sided out and I got stuffed. The scorekeeper had the score marked down as 11-10 in our favor but it should have been 11-9 in our favor. Everyone including both refs remembered the score being 11-7 and remembered the sideout and stuff block but they said they could not change it. Phil and I were laughing about it it was so comical. Even the Germans were grinning and shaking their heads. They scored another 3 straight points until we got our heads on straight. From there we scored a bunch of points at 16 all and took the game 21-18. Our last game on Saturday was a great game vs. the brazilian team of Harley/Allison. Harley had been out here for awhile but Allison is a relative newcomber. Think of a combination of Sean Scott and Fabio. The guy is huge at 6'8 and must weight about 240 pounds. Good blocker. We won the first easily but lost a close second and third. In the second I had 5 or 6 good point opportunities that I either got blocked or hit out on and that was the difference in the game and eventually the match.
On Sunday we played Fabio and Marcio again and lost in 3 games. 19-21, 21-19, 15-11. It was a fun game for Phil and I as we just enjoyed ourselves. We probably should have won the 2nd game as we were up 17-14 but those are the breaks. We leave tonight for home. Long flight home through Sao Paolo, DC, and then driving from LAX to home. Can't wait though.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Friday, April 24, 2009
Travel & Exhibition
Tough road to get here to Brazil. After we finished in Riverside we basically cleaned up and drove straight to the airport to catch our flight. We took the redeye from LAX to JFK in New York. Fortunately we had the upgrade to business which was a life saver as far as being able to sleep and rest. From JFK to Sao Paolo we flew on TAM. No upgrade on that flight and it is a long 10 hour flight during the middle of the day so it is difficult to sleep. I was already sore from playing all the matches in Riverside and flying wasn't helping. I caught the movie, Yes Man with Jim Carrey. Not bad. Entertaining on the flight. I also read the book Tuesdays with Morrie given to me by Arsenal at Riverside. Great book. Has some great life lessons within the book that everyone could use. Strongly reccommend it to anyone looking for a great read.
We got off the plane in GRU and were stiff as all that. Our connection had fallen through as TAM had changed the time last minute so in order to get to Brasilia the Promoter had us fly on a private plane. We were whisked through security ect... and onto the private plane for the 2 hour flight to Brasilia. Was a little tight on the plane but faster than going commercial. Got into Brasilia a little before midnight.
The next day we played an exhibition match vs. Ricardo/Emmanuel. We won in two game 21-19, 21-19. I would say neither team played great. It was tough warming up for that game though. Once we got going I was glad we were playing as it helped stretch out my muscles and made me feel much better. After that match we played a 4x4 match. It was the World vs. Brasil. I set for the world in the first two games. We won the first pretty handily and then mixed it up a bit to make it more interesting. We lost a tight 2nd game and then Phil set the third and lost 17-15 in the third. Lot of fun and the fans loved it.
We got off the plane in GRU and were stiff as all that. Our connection had fallen through as TAM had changed the time last minute so in order to get to Brasilia the Promoter had us fly on a private plane. We were whisked through security ect... and onto the private plane for the 2 hour flight to Brasilia. Was a little tight on the plane but faster than going commercial. Got into Brasilia a little before midnight.
The next day we played an exhibition match vs. Ricardo/Emmanuel. We won in two game 21-19, 21-19. I would say neither team played great. It was tough warming up for that game though. Once we got going I was glad we were playing as it helped stretch out my muscles and made me feel much better. After that match we played a 4x4 match. It was the World vs. Brasil. I set for the world in the first two games. We won the first pretty handily and then mixed it up a bit to make it more interesting. We lost a tight 2nd game and then Phil set the third and lost 17-15 in the third. Lot of fun and the fans loved it.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
RIverside
Riverside was the best blacktop/parking lot event I have played in to date. They could have done a couple of other things to make it even better but in all honestly I was impressed. Also, everyone kept telling me how terrible of a place Riverside is. I didn't see it. I stayed at the Mission Inn which is a place I would enjoy staying a weekend at with my wife. Very nice. The area around downtown Riverside that I saw was also nice. They were doing some upgrading of some of the areas but it was good upgrading. Shutting down a street and putting in trees and fountains so people rather than cars can cruise around. I hope we go back there next year and a special thanks to City Councilman Rusty Bailey for being so instrumental in helping get the AVP to Riverside in the first place. You've got my vote Rusty.
The competition was fierce. Our first two games on Friday were pretty uneventful. We beat a qualifier team 11 and 11 in the first round. In the second round we took down Braidy and Billy 12 and 15. Both Phil and I felt we played really well scoring points and siding out.
The next day was a whole different ball of wax. We played the 8th seeded team of Nygaard and Mayer and lost in two 16 and 19. In the first they sided out great and Mayer served really well getting us in passing trouble to create easy opportunities for them. In the second it was neck and neck and we were actually up 19-18. We gave up 3 points and they won 21-19. Tough loss for us especially given some of the folks cheering our loss. Great win for them though and I give them credit.
We had to go through the losers bracket to get back in contention for the title. First we played the #3 seeded team of Furbs and Casey. We beat them 18 and 18. Then we played the 4th seeded team of Nick and Brad. We beat them in two but I don't remember the scores. On Sunday we played the #6 seeded team of Olsen and Wong. We played really well and won in two. In the semis we played the 5th seeded team of Sean Scott and John Hyden. They beat us in the first game 21-16 but we came back and beat them in the second and then 15-12 in the third off of two big serves down the middle by Phil.
In the finals we played the second seeded team of Jake and Rosy. They played really well in the first game and took us down 21-16. In the second game we picked up our game and both teams were playing at a high level. We took the game 21-19 on a Phil stuff block. The third game we were up 6-4 receiving when there was the rally of the match. The ball passed over the net a bunch of times. All but once I think it was within the 10 foot line on both sides. It was like playing a 2X2 short game. I ended up cutting the ball for the point and we went on to win 15-9 for the championships.
Kind of cool to go through the losers bracket and play the #2 through #6 seeds to win. Not that I want to do that with any kind of regularity but it is nice to know we can do it if we need to.
The competition was fierce. Our first two games on Friday were pretty uneventful. We beat a qualifier team 11 and 11 in the first round. In the second round we took down Braidy and Billy 12 and 15. Both Phil and I felt we played really well scoring points and siding out.
The next day was a whole different ball of wax. We played the 8th seeded team of Nygaard and Mayer and lost in two 16 and 19. In the first they sided out great and Mayer served really well getting us in passing trouble to create easy opportunities for them. In the second it was neck and neck and we were actually up 19-18. We gave up 3 points and they won 21-19. Tough loss for us especially given some of the folks cheering our loss. Great win for them though and I give them credit.
We had to go through the losers bracket to get back in contention for the title. First we played the #3 seeded team of Furbs and Casey. We beat them 18 and 18. Then we played the 4th seeded team of Nick and Brad. We beat them in two but I don't remember the scores. On Sunday we played the #6 seeded team of Olsen and Wong. We played really well and won in two. In the semis we played the 5th seeded team of Sean Scott and John Hyden. They beat us in the first game 21-16 but we came back and beat them in the second and then 15-12 in the third off of two big serves down the middle by Phil.
In the finals we played the second seeded team of Jake and Rosy. They played really well in the first game and took us down 21-16. In the second game we picked up our game and both teams were playing at a high level. We took the game 21-19 on a Phil stuff block. The third game we were up 6-4 receiving when there was the rally of the match. The ball passed over the net a bunch of times. All but once I think it was within the 10 foot line on both sides. It was like playing a 2X2 short game. I ended up cutting the ball for the point and we went on to win 15-9 for the championships.
Kind of cool to go through the losers bracket and play the #2 through #6 seeds to win. Not that I want to do that with any kind of regularity but it is nice to know we can do it if we need to.
Friday, April 17, 2009
AVP Riverside - Live Results & Video Streaming
Live Results from Riverside
AVP TV Live from Riverside
Saturday: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. 7:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
12:00pm - Dalhausser/Rogers vs. Mayer/Nygaard
Sunday: 9:30 a.m. to competition end (approximately 5 p.m.)
9:30am - Dalhausser/Rogers vs. Olson/Wong
11:15am - Branagh/Youngs vs. DeNechochea/Dodd
12:45pm - Men's Semifinal (TBD)
2:30pm - Women's Final (TBD)
4:00pm - Men's Final (TBD)
*All times PST and approximate.
AVP TV Live from Riverside
Saturday: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. 7:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
12:00pm - Dalhausser/Rogers vs. Mayer/Nygaard
Sunday: 9:30 a.m. to competition end (approximately 5 p.m.)
9:30am - Dalhausser/Rogers vs. Olson/Wong
11:15am - Branagh/Youngs vs. DeNechochea/Dodd
12:45pm - Men's Semifinal (TBD)
2:30pm - Women's Final (TBD)
4:00pm - Men's Final (TBD)
*All times PST and approximate.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Riverside to Brazil
AVP Riverside this weekend. Always interesting to go to a new site as well as a site off of the beach. I don't think I have ever been to Riverside. I have heard they are revamping the downtown area. We shall see.
I follow Riverside by leaving for Brasilia, Brazil on Sunday night. Fly the red-eye to JFK and then down to Sao Paolo and Brasilia. Hopefully it will be a good flight. Get back home the following Monday. Should have time to Blog a bit more while in Riverside and Brazil.
I follow Riverside by leaving for Brasilia, Brazil on Sunday night. Fly the red-eye to JFK and then down to Sao Paolo and Brasilia. Hopefully it will be a good flight. Get back home the following Monday. Should have time to Blog a bit more while in Riverside and Brazil.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Leonard Armato out as head of pro beach volleyball tour
Armato out as head of pro beach volleyball tour
By JIMMY GOLEN, Associated Press.
Leonard Armato, the AVP commissioner and the husband of three-time Olympian Holly McPeak, has resigned as the head of the pro beach volleyball tour.
Chief operating officer Jason Hodell will take over, the AVP was set to announce on Wednesday night. Armato will reman as a special adviser, according to the announcement, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press.
The management shakeup as the tour tries to capitalize on the buzz generated by the U.S. sweep of the Olympic gold medals in Beijing, where Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh won the women's tournament and Todd Rogers and Phil Dalhausser won the men's.
"For Phil and me, along with Misty and Kerri, to win golds in Beijing last year were big moments for the AVP," said Rogers, who teamed with Dalhausser to win the domestic tour's championship in 2007 and '08. "It's one of the most exciting times to be a pro volleyball player and I know everyone is extremely excited about the new leadership."
The former agent for basketball stars Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Shaquille O'Neal and boxer Oscar de la Hoya, Armato acquired the AVP in 2001. What had been separate men's and women's tours with six events is now a unified circuit with 15 outdoor stops this year and 14 more over the winter in an indoor tour; prize money has quadrupled.
"I am thrilled with the progress we have made," Armato said. "Coming off the success of the 2008 Olympics in which we won men and women's gold medals, pro beach volleyball is now one of the hottest sports in the world."
Walsh said he will be missed.
"I will forever be grateful to Leonard Armato for his contributions to the growth of the sport of beach volleyball," she said. "With his tireless enthusiasm, Leonard has been an evangelist for our great sport bringing it to the masses and bringing to it many of our nation's best athletes. Leonard deserves to be recognized as a lead contributor to the advancement and betterment of our sport."
The AVP announced last year that Crocs had renewed its deal to serve as title sponsor for the AVP tour. Russell Athletic, Anheuser-Busch and John Paul Mitchell Systems have also extended their sponsorship agreements for three more years.
"It is an honor to work with the AVP, our athletes and our sponsors to continue the growth of our wonderful sport," Hodell said. "I'm sure I speak for the entire AVP when I say this is truly one of the most exciting times in the history of pro beach volleyball. I look forward to leading the Tour as we build on the momentum created under Leonard's leadership."
Also Wednesday, the tour announced that it received additional financing from RJSM Partners, part of the current ownership group.
In other moves, Paul Tedeschi has been selected the AVP's chief marketing officer. New members of the board of directors include Sam Kennedy, the chief marketing officer for the Boston Red Sox, and Bob Potter, CEO of Bombo Sports & Entertainment, a production company.
By JIMMY GOLEN, Associated Press.
Leonard Armato, the AVP commissioner and the husband of three-time Olympian Holly McPeak, has resigned as the head of the pro beach volleyball tour.
Chief operating officer Jason Hodell will take over, the AVP was set to announce on Wednesday night. Armato will reman as a special adviser, according to the announcement, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press.
The management shakeup as the tour tries to capitalize on the buzz generated by the U.S. sweep of the Olympic gold medals in Beijing, where Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh won the women's tournament and Todd Rogers and Phil Dalhausser won the men's.
"For Phil and me, along with Misty and Kerri, to win golds in Beijing last year were big moments for the AVP," said Rogers, who teamed with Dalhausser to win the domestic tour's championship in 2007 and '08. "It's one of the most exciting times to be a pro volleyball player and I know everyone is extremely excited about the new leadership."
The former agent for basketball stars Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Shaquille O'Neal and boxer Oscar de la Hoya, Armato acquired the AVP in 2001. What had been separate men's and women's tours with six events is now a unified circuit with 15 outdoor stops this year and 14 more over the winter in an indoor tour; prize money has quadrupled.
"I am thrilled with the progress we have made," Armato said. "Coming off the success of the 2008 Olympics in which we won men and women's gold medals, pro beach volleyball is now one of the hottest sports in the world."
Walsh said he will be missed.
"I will forever be grateful to Leonard Armato for his contributions to the growth of the sport of beach volleyball," she said. "With his tireless enthusiasm, Leonard has been an evangelist for our great sport bringing it to the masses and bringing to it many of our nation's best athletes. Leonard deserves to be recognized as a lead contributor to the advancement and betterment of our sport."
The AVP announced last year that Crocs had renewed its deal to serve as title sponsor for the AVP tour. Russell Athletic, Anheuser-Busch and John Paul Mitchell Systems have also extended their sponsorship agreements for three more years.
"It is an honor to work with the AVP, our athletes and our sponsors to continue the growth of our wonderful sport," Hodell said. "I'm sure I speak for the entire AVP when I say this is truly one of the most exciting times in the history of pro beach volleyball. I look forward to leading the Tour as we build on the momentum created under Leonard's leadership."
Also Wednesday, the tour announced that it received additional financing from RJSM Partners, part of the current ownership group.
In other moves, Paul Tedeschi has been selected the AVP's chief marketing officer. New members of the board of directors include Sam Kennedy, the chief marketing officer for the Boston Red Sox, and Bob Potter, CEO of Bombo Sports & Entertainment, a production company.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Todd Rogers 2009 Tour Schedule
Todd Rogers 2009 Tour Schedule can now be found on his website.
http://www.ToddJRogers.com/schedule2009.html
http://www.ToddJRogers.com/schedule2009.html
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