700 teams from 31 states set for 31st MotherLode Volleyball  tournament

With close to 700 teams from 31 states expected to compete in the 31st annual MotherLode Volleyball Classic, the top men's and women's classes will feature several of the nation's top sand players as five "glorious late summer days" of two-person volleyball starts Thursday (August 28).

Concluding Labor Day (September 1), the MotherLode Volleyball Classic has attracted players from Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.

Record MotherLode crowds in 2002 saw Colorado State University products Angela Knopf (from Troutdale, Ore.) and Krista Swartzendruber (Glenwood Springs, Colo.) win the women's Open title at the 30th MotherLode Volleyball Classic. In the men's Open, Skyler Davis (Irving, Tex.) and Brian Soldano (Isle of Palms, S.C.) captured the crown.

Knopf and Swartzendruber are expected to defend their women's title while Soldano returns with new partner Dave Smith (Culver City, Calif.). A total of 74 men's and 27 women have entered the "opens" this season as the two classes highlight the play in the 18-division event. The Men's Master's field has 37 entries and has become the United States' No. 1 event for players 37 and older.

Seeded last in the 26-team women's Open field, Knopf and Swartzendruber had to rally twice in the title match to defeat sixth-seeded Natalie Sime and Dawn Tischauser 18-16. Davis and Soldano finished first among the 67 teams entered by defeating 33rd-seeded Bryan Gibson (31 from Birmingham, Ala.) and Keith Jones (38 from Nashville, Tenn.) twice on Labor Day 2002, including a 15-6 win in the title match.

Eric Anderson (Los Gatos Calif.) and Andrew Cavanaugh (Santa Barbara, Calif.) won the 2002 MotherLode Men's Master, but return this season with different partners. Anderson will team with Kent Kitchel, who missed last year's event due to injuries. Anderson and Kitchel won five MotherLode master titles together in 1994, 1996, 1997, 1999 and 2001. Kitchel also won two MotherLode masters with Mark Tanner in 1992 and 1993. Christian Larson will be Cavanaugh's partner this season.

The deadline for pre-registration was August 15 for the MotherLode Volleyball Classic, the "most comprehensive" beach volleyball tournament in North America. Considered the No. 1 Pro-Am tournament in the United States, the MotherLode Volleyball Classic runs through Labor Day (September 1).

Offering 18 divisions of play in men's (8 classes), women's (5), girl's (1) and co-ed (4), the MotherLode Volleyball Classic will attract over 700 teams from all over the nation to compete in what has been called the "toughest amateur tournament in the United States" and "the most exciting 'non-tour' professional event going."

New for 2003 will be the MotherLode Volleyball Classic's alignment with Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP) through the AVPNext program. Teams competing in both the men's and women's "open" divisions at this year's MotherLode Volleyball Classic will earn points on the AVPNext Circuit, which gives participants the opportunity to compete for prize money and earn Main Draw berths into AVP events.

Late registration will be accepted, in person (space permitting), day of check-in for the respective divisions; or, at the pre-check-in desk in Aspen August 28 or August 29 at Koch Lumber Park 12-6 p.m., or August 30 starting at 8 a.m. The late registration fee is $80. For more information on the MotherLode Volleyball Classic, please visit www.motherlodevolleyball.com.

The MotherLode Volleyball Classic's "open" divisions feature beach professionals, top amateurs, USA National Team members, and Legends of the Game competing on the main championship sand courts at Koch Lumber Park. In addition to the 1,400 participants, the MotherLode Volleyball Classic attracts thousands of spectators that flock to the Aspen-area every Labor Day Weekend to attend "the best volleyball party in the country."

The MotherLode Volleyball Classic divisions * Men's Seniors (Over 45) - Sand * Men's Seniors (Over 50) - Sand * Men's Masters (37-Over) - Sand * Men's Open - Sand * Men's AA - Grass * Men's A - Grass * Men's BB - Grass * Men's B - Grass * Women's Masters (Over 35) - Sand * Women's Open - Sand * Women's A - Grass * Women's BB - Grass * Women's B - Grass * Girls 14-under * Co-Ed Open - Grass * Co-Ed A - Grass * Co-Ed BB - Grass * Co-Ed B - Grass

Produced by MotherLode Volleyball Productions of Aspen, "The 'Lode" incorporates the best of traditional beach volleyball creating the "old time" sense of joy and excitement for the sport. It is a "must attend" event for the serious volleyball aficionado - providing an exciting, competitive end-of-the-season volleyball event surrounded by the beauty and excitement of Aspen.

2003 Sand Division Recaps

2003 Men's Open Entries (74 entries) * Bryan Gibson/Keith Jones, Alabama * Pat Brown/Chris Zelvis, Arizona * Loric Box/Eric Burness, Arizona * Tim Williams/Tim Haeffner, Arizona * Tom Witt/Scott Kiedaisch, Arizona * Andy Aguiar/Charlie Minchew, California * Andrew Cavanaugh/Christian Larson, California * Dave Smith/Brian Soldano, California * Daron Stitt/Ryan Manano, California * Ryan Turner/Eric Christianson, California * Doug White/Mark Warren, California * Adam Renfree/Nick Pabarcus, California * Dan Neiman/Aaron Steele, California * Dan LaFontaine/Scott Keim, California * Dave Kamena/Dan, California * Rich Clarke/Tim Kettlecamp, Colorado * Rob Crawford/to be announced, Colorado * Patrick Creyts/Peter Nicholas, Colorado * Jamison Crowley/to be announced, Colorado * Brad Enslow/Erik Kirstein, Colorado * Sean Fallowfield/Doug Cameron, Colorado * Shane Frakes/Jason Groeger, Colorado * Shane Gamet/Ken Gamet, Colorado * Chris Hannemann/Dana Camacho, Colorado * Paige Harrington/Tanner Ingham, Colorado * Erich Hoehne/Travis Turner, Colorado * Carey Jones/Brandon Wood, Colorado * Brian Kennedy/Clare Dunning, Colorado * Ryan Lindstrom/Tony Mazzulo, Colorado * Mike Lockwood/Mitch Hess, Colorado * Dave Mardosz/Todd Robertson, Colorado * James McClair/Byron Renee, Colorado * Mike Miller/Chad Bond, Colorado * Chris Nicholl/David Suter, Colorado * Mitch Painovich/Adrian Salazar, Colorado * Brad Pendleton/to be announced, Colorado * James Pinto/Mark Gooley, Colorado * Rich Pontillo/Tyson Baker, Colorado * Ryan Post/Jamey Martin, Colorado * Tim Rice/Jason Wyrick, Colorado * Vince Robbins/Justin Hersey, Colorado * Jason Sands/to be announced, Colorado * Kyle Schultz/Neil Rooney, Colorado * Shawn Weatherred/Joel Heath, Colorado * Tony Weber/Josh Gustafson, Colorado * Maiko Williams/John Stallings, Colorado * Scott Wright/Dave Rohn, Colorado * Paul Hickert/Brian Imperiale, Florida * Marcin Dybka/Miroslaw Verkin, Illinois * Dan Friend/Dave Johnson, Kansas * Lucas Galmarini/Ozzie Barreras, Kansas * Skip Russell/Keil Pittman, Kansas * Anthony Jenkins/to be announced, Kansas * David Carlson/Chris Rohde, Minnesota * Joe Stolings/Matt Akromis, Missouri * Thierry Thelliez/Adam Rubel, New Mexico * Alan Gluntz/Vince VanderMay, New Mexico * Chris Hammock/Brian Post, New Mexico * Dane Hansen/Curtis Griffin, North Carolina * Steve Hinds/Blake Newman, Oklahoma * Brian Daly/Ben Shamrokh, South Dakota * Steve Deitz/Daniel Lindsey, Texas * Jason Brown/to be announced, Texas * Joseph Burda/Bivin Sadler, Texas * Wayne Young/Max Knake, Texas * Steve Laubenberg/John Smith, Texas * Randy Meador/Brett Becker, Texas * Colin Kaslow/Tim Wooliver, Texas * Cory Carpenter/Larry Lentz, Utah * Joe Samuleu/Jake Gibbs, Utah * Tobin Reynolds/David Talley, Utah * Rob Baily/Jason Robertson, Virginia * Claudio Borgiotti/Adam Brosius, Virginia * Matt Mueller/Brian Chapman, Washington

2002 Men's Open Results (67 entries): Finals (winners place first, losers place second) - Skyler Davis, Irving, Tex./Brian Soldano, Isle of Palms, S.C. (2) def. Bryan Gibson, Birmingham, Ala./Keith Jones, Nashville, Tenn. (33), 15-6. Semifinals (losers eliminated, place third) - Gibson/Jones (33) def. Rob Baily, Annandale, Va./Jason Robertson, Reston, Va. (12), 11-4. Quarterfinals (losers eliminated, place fourth) - Baily/Robertson (12) def. Justin Hersey, Denver, Colo./Vince Robbins, Aurora, Colo.(8), 11-7.

Year Past MotherLode Men's Open Champions 2002 Skyler Davis/Brian Soldano 2001 Canyon Ceman/Adam Jewell 2000 Ian Clark/Dax Holdren 1999 Dane Hansen/Ryan Post 1998 Curtis Griffin/Erik Moore 1997 Curtis Griffin/Erik Moore 1996 Curtis Griffin/Erik Moore 1995 Curtis Griffin/Erik Moore 1994 Leif Hanson/Rob Heidger 1993 Tom Duke/Jeff Williams 1992 Matt Perry/Pat Powers 1991 Larry Mear/Eric Wurts 1990 Pono Ma'a/Pat Powers 1989 Roger Clark/Shawn Fallowfield 1988 Roy Gerlits/Scott Steele 1987 Craig Moothart/Scott Steele 1986 Rudy Dvorak/Shawn Fallowfield 1985 Marty Gregory/Scott Steele 1984 John Cook/Gary Stevenson 1983 Tim Hill/Mike Wirsing 1982 Jack Hinton/Garth Pischke 1981 Larry Benecke/Garth Pischke 1980 Dale Pruce/Rob Quinlan 1979 Garth Pischke/Jon Stanley 1978 Results not available 1977 Called for darkness 1976 Rainout 1975 Rainout 1974 Bruce Downing/Bob Pape 1973 Chester Goss/Steve Goss

2003 Women's Open Entries (27 teams) * Felicia Sardella/Meride Boyer, Arizona * Krista Swartzendruber/Angela Knopf, Colorado * Emily Bakker/Emily Hanselman, Colorado * Jenee Gilliam/Debbie Michalski, Colorado * Jennifer Jones/Brook Staebell, Colorado * Gina Kirstein/Tia Self, Colorado * Michelle LeHota/Julie Siegler, Colorado * Sandy Matthes/Beth Dressler, Colorado * Dawn Tischauser/Natalie Sime, Colorado * Jennifer Ward/Sheila Masley, Colorado * Deborah Ponis/Jeanette Kelder, Colorado * Sarah Ramsay/Lisa Wipperfurth, Colorado * Shauna Metschke/Allison Newton, Colorado * Summer Mrotek/Pam Lubben, Colorado * Joby Nager/Rondi Heston, Colorado * Wendy Martin/Mel Karwowski, Florida * Erin Byrd/Jennifer Maastricht, Illinois * Novelett Jensen/Alana Kiehn, Minnesota * Laura Pilakowski/Lindsay Wischmeier, Nebraska * Ingrid Roosild/Kim Applegate, New Mexico * Melanie Thornton/Jenna Hinton, North Carolina * Becky Harper/Stephanie Durkee, Oregon * Tina Hodson/Beckie Henderson-Johnson, Texas * Patti Smith/Yolanda Munoz, Texas * Samantha Meador/Julie McGarr, Texas * Helen Hjorrh/Wendy Midgley, Utah * Kristie LoDolce/Brandi Travess, Washington

2002 Women's Open Results (26 entries): Finals (winners place first, losers place second) - * Angela Knopf, Troutdale, Ore./Krista Swartzendruber, Glenwood Springs, Colo. (No. 26-seeded team) def. Natalie Sime, Denver, Colo./Dawn Tischauser, Denver, Colo. (6), 18-16. Semifinals (loser eliminated, place third) - Sime/Tischauser (6) def. Julie McGarr, Houston, Tex./Samantha Meador, Houston, Tex. (5), 11-4. Quarterfinals (loser eliminated, place fourth) - Sime/Tischauser (6) def. Catie Fleisher, Aspen, Colo./Kelly Rowe, Los Angeles, Calif. (3), 11-3.

Year Past MotherLode Women's Open Champions 2002 Angela Knopf/Krista Swartzendruber 2001 Daven Casad-Allison/Alicia Scott 2000 Nancy Mason/Leanne Schuster 1999 Valinda Hilleary/Pat Keller 1998 Nancy Mason/Leanne Schuster 1997 Valinda Hilleary/Pat Keller 1996 Shannon Misek/Gina Pilitere 1995 Kristine Bailey/Danalee Bragado 1994 Kristine Bailey/Christine Schaefer 1993 Valinda Hilleary/Pat Keller 1992 Shawn Hoover/Erin Deiter 1991 Kim Harsch-Bird/Chris Miller 1990 Shawn Hoover/Kim Harsch-Bird 1989 Shawn Hoover/Kim Harsch-Bird 1988 Janice Opalinski, Elaine Roque 1987 Lynn Bulig/Mary Diamond 1986 Shawn Hoover/Debbie Main 1985 Shawn Hoover/Debbie Main 1984 Shawn Hoover/Debbie Main 1983 Shawn Hoover/Debbie Main 1982 S. Hoover/Laurel Brassey-Kessel 1981 Hillary Johnson/Julie Morgan 1980 Hillary Johnson/Jerrie McGahan 1979 Suzanne Murphy/Patty O'Brien 1978 Results not available 1977 Linda Dahle/Linda Smith 1976 Susan Daily/Ann McKay 1975 Susan Daily/Ann McKay 1974 Laurie Buck/Susan Daily 1973 None

2003 Men's Masters Entries (37 entries) * Tom Witt/Dan LaFontaine, Arizona * Eric Anderson/Kent Kitchell, California * Doug White/Mark Warren, California * Andrew Cavanaugh/Christian Larson, California * Joe Gagnon/R. H. Hinkson, California * John Basey/Bill Strande, Colorado * Rocky Basile/to be announced, Colorado * Matt Bergdahl/Dave Mear, Colorado * Lance Bradbury/David Robinson, Colorado * Greg Brendal/Jason Brown, Colorado * Don Buntrock/Bob Blackburn, Colorado * Casey Carey/Jeff Burgess, Colorado * Dean Carlson/Brad Pendleton, Colorado * Greg Hall/Chris McFarlin, Colorado * Chris Hannemann/Barry Hanna, Colorado * Brian Kennedy/Rick Robbins, Colorado * Kevin Lockwood/Paul Fair, Colorado * Rich Majors/to be announced, Colorado * Gary Patton/Brian Richter, Colorado * Al Peters/Bob Hill, Colorado * Tomek Pieslak/Bryan Hulse, Colorado * Bill Pinkham/Chip Seamans, Colorado * Thomas Schmidt/Steve Gouner, Colorado * Harley Shubart/Clare Dunning, Colorado * Mark Wandas/Mark Hickert, Colorado * Anthony Jenkins/to be announced, Kansas * David Vadnais/Pete Fedorczuk, Minnesota * Mark Pletka/Teri Christianson, Nebraska * Fred Krohn/Larry Hansen, Nebraska * Vince VanderMay/Thierry Thilliez, New Mexico * Jeff Poole/to be announced, New Mexico * Brad Marlow/Jim Faaborg, Oklahoma * Randy Meador/Keith Jones, Texas * Donnie Harris/Slim Bailess, Texas * Mark Winkler/to be announced, Texas * Tobin Reynolds/David Talley, Utah * Claudio Borgiotti/Adam Brosius, Virginia

2002 Men's Masters Results (36 entries): Finals - Eric Anderson, Los Gatos Calif./Andrew Cavanaugh, Santa Barbara, Calif. (No. 1-seeded team) vs. Tom Pestolesi, Huntington Beach, Calif./Bill Stetson, Manhattan Beach, Calif. (4), 15-9. Semifinals (losers eliminated, place third) - Pestolesi/Stetson (4) def. Paul Cook, Steamboat Springs, Colo./Reed Stephenson, Steamboat Springs, Colo. (2), 11-4. Quarterfinals (losers eliminated, place fourth) - Pestolesi/Stetson (4) def. Steve Byrd, Santa Barbara, Calif./Greg Novak, Carpenteria, Calif. (15), 11-4.

Year Past MotherLode Men's Master Champions 2002 Eric Anderson/Andrew Cavanaugh 2001 Eric Anderson/Kent Kitchel 2000 Dan LaFontaine/Tom Witt 1999 Eric Anderson/Kent Kitchel 1998 Anthony Jenkins/Doug White 1997 Eric Anderson/Kent Kitchel 1996 Eric Anderson/Kent Kitchel 1995 Pat Powers/Jon Stevenson 1994 Eric Anderson/Kent Kitchel 1993 Kent Kitchel/Mark Tanner 1992 Kent Kitchel/Mark Tanner

2003 Men's Senior's 50 and over Entries (8 entries) * Dave Akin/Bruce Walker, Colorado * Dennis Dempsey/to be announced, Colorado * Jon Lee/to be announced, Colorado * Monty McBride/Dan Patterson, Colorado * Bill Noon/to be announced, Colorado * Philip Powers/Larry Kowalski, Colorado * Mark Andrews/Brian Warneke, Iowa * Mike Larkin/Robert Albrecht, Kansas

2002 Men's Senior's 50 and over Results (record 11 entries, previous high; nine entries in 2001): Finals - Jon Lee, Santa Barbara, Calif. Don Shaw, Menlo Park, Calif. (No. 1-seeded team) won by forfeit over Bill Noon, Lawton, Okla./Ron Smith, Denver, Colo. Semifinals (losers eliminated, place third) - Noon/Smith (2) def. Kurt Batchelder, Vail, Colo./Monty McBride, Vail, Colo. (10), 15-14. Quarterfinals (losers eliminated, place fourth) - Noon/Smith (2) def. Danny Patterson, Aspen, Colo./Tom Stillo, Crested Butte, Colo (5), 15-1.

Year Past MotherLode Men's Senior's 50 Champions 2002 Jon Lee/Don Shaw 2001 Jon Lee/Don Shaw 2000 Danny Patterson/Byron Shewman 1999 Larry Stein/Tom Stillo 1998 Danny Patterson/Byron Shewman 1996 Chester Goss/Stephen Goss

2003 Men's Senior's 45 and over (3 entries) * Eric Anderson /Packy Jones, California * David Straun/Rocky Basile, Colorado * Larry Sutlif/Brian Richter, Colorado

2002 Men's Senior's 45 and over Results (9 entries) Finals - Jon Hastings, San Luis Obispo, Calif./Andy Schroeder, Concord, Calif. (No. 1-seeded team) def. Bob Blackburn, Sedalia, Colo./Mike Fair, Culver City, Calif. (2), 15-9. Semifinals (losers eliminated, place third) - Blackburn/Fair (2) def. Brian Smith, Santa Barbara, Calif./Larry Sutliffe, Denver, Colo. (3), 15-10. Quarterfinals (losers eliminated, place fourth) - Blackburn/Fair (2) def. Pete Burton, Denver, Colo./Dean Carlson, Denver, Colo (4), 15-3.

Year Past Men's Senior 45 and over Champions 2002 Jon Hastings/Andy Shroeder 2001 Jon Hastings/Andy Shroeder 2000 Dan Salyer/Ron Smith 1999 Ron Smith/Mike Wirsing 1998 David King/Dan Salyer 1997 David King/Dan Salyer 1996 Jon Lee/George Zebot 1995 Jon Lee/George Zebot 1994 Jon Lee/George Zebot

2003 Women's Masters Entries (10 teams) * Elizabeth Bergdahl/Lise Waring, Colorado * Amy Carlson/Sandy Matthes, Colorado * Linda Hager-Arndt/Kris Bredehoft, Colorado * Nancy Hall/Kathy Lawless, Colorado * Diane Herzberg/Joelle Patten, Colorado * Lisa Patton/Dawn Gates, Colorado * Tammy Weckwerth/Barb Bradley, Colorado * Samantha Meador/Wendy Martin, Texas * Patti Smith/Yolanda Munoz, Texas * Debbie Webster/Darcy Arellano, Texas

2002 Women's Masters Results (nine entries): Finals - Jackie Campbell, Santa Barbara, Calif./Ilga Celmins, Aptos, Calif. (No. 1-seeded team) def. Yolanda Munoz, Dallas, Tex./Shannon Smith, Dallas, Tex. (2), 15-8. Semifinals (losers eliminated, place third) - Munoz/Williams (2) Becky Benson, Lakewood, Colo./Patti Smith, Dallas, Tex. (3), 15-8. Quarterfinals (losers eliminated, place fourth) - Munoz/Williams (2) def. Kris Bredehoft, Englewood, Colo./Kathy Lawless, Parker, Colo. (4), 15-10.

Year Past MotherLode Women's Masters Champions 2002 Jackie Campbell/Ilga Celmins 2001 Jeanne Goldsmith/Linda Hanley 2000 Jill Davis/Gayle Stammer 1999 Mardji Hyde/Becky Snider 1998 Andrea Beylen/Sue Holmes 1997 Andrea Beylen/Sue Holmes 1996 Sandra Fahey/Marie Salyer 1995 Jill Cerise/Deb Lawless 1994 Andrea Beylen/Sue Holmes