AVP Hermosa Beach Grand Slam - June 13-15, 1997

BLANTON AND CEMAN MAKE BEACH VOLLEYBALL HISTORY WHILE POSTING
WIN AT MILLER LITE/AVP HERMOSA BEACH GRAND SLAM

BLANTON IS FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN TO WIN PRO BEACH VOLLEYBALL TOURNEY

HERMOSA BEACH, Calif. (June 15, 1997) - Father's Day, 1997, saw Dain Blanton become the first African-American professional beach volleyball player to win a tournament on the Miller Lite/AVP Tour when he teamed with partner Canyon Ceman to make beach volleyball history with a 15-13 overtime win over No. 1 seeds Kent Steffes and Jose Loiola at the $300,00 Miller Lite/AVP Hermosa Beach Grand Slam.

One of only two African-Americans on tour, Blanton's record-setting victory was also the first tournament title of his three-year career. "Being the first African-American to win a tournament is really special," said Blanton, "especially to win at home in front of family and friends. As a kid I used to dream about this. To win a tournament with such great players as Karch Kiraly and Mike Dodd is the best feeling in the world."

After Blanton and Ceman jumped out to a 11-7 lead, No. 1 seeds Steffes and Loiola stormed back to force the match into overtime before the underdogs posted their first tournament win of the season. "They say the first one is the hardest to win, and I hope there's more to come," Ceman said.

Blanton and Ceman who made their first appearance in a tournament final this season, advance to the championship match after defeating No. 5 seeds Troy Tanner and Randy Stoklos in the contender's bracket final with a 10-8 victory in overtime.

No. 2 seeds Karch Kiraly and Adam Johnson recorded a fourth-place finish in their fourth tourney together this season after failing to Troy Tanner and Randy Stoklos, 13-11 in overtime.

The Miller Lite/AVP Hermosa Beach Grand Slam offered the most prize money for a single tournament in the history of beach volleyball. This weekend's tourney also marked the debut of the Miller Lite Grand Slam, a four event series featuring a combined $1.2 million in prize money.

The Miller Lite/AVP Tour continues its Grand Slam series next week at the $300,000 Miller Lite Open at Chicago. Tickets are available and may be purchased by calling Telecharge at (800) 432-7470.

$300,000 total prize money
64 Teams

1st - Dain Blanton/Canyon Ceman (7)          $60,000

2nd - Kent Steffes/Jose Loiola (1)           $34,200

3rd - Randy Stoklos/Troy Tanner (5)          $27,090

4th - Adam Johnson/Karch Kiraly (2)          $21,390

5th - Mike Dodd/Mike Whitmarsh (3)           $17,100
5th - John Brajevic/Brian Gatzke (22)        $17,100

7th - Scott Ayakatubby/Brian Lewis (4)       $12,840
7th - Lee LeGrand/Matt Unger (15)            $12,840

9th - Bill Boullianne/Rob Heidger (6)        $ 9,270
9th - Eric Fonoimoana/Bryan Ivie (8)         $ 9,270
9th - Mark Kerins/Andrew Smith (9)           $ 9,270
9th - Henry Russell/Eric Wurts (11)          $ 9,270

13th- Eduardo Bacil/Daniel Cardenas (17)     $ 6,390
13th- Daxton Holdren/Todd Rogers (24)        $ 6,390
13th- Stein Metzger/Wayne Seligson (30)      $ 6,390
13th- Paul Boyde/Adam Jewell (51)            $ 6,390

17th- Ian Clark/David Swatik (10)            $ 2,850
17th- Mike Garcia/Justin Perlstrom (12)      $ 2,850
17th- Scott Friederichsen/Leif Hanson (13)   $ 2,850
17th- Ricci Luyties/Jim Nichols (16)         $ 2,850
17th- Raul Papaleo/Kevin Wong (21)           $ 2,850
17th- Matt Lyles/Greg Shankle (31)           $ 2,850
17th- Jody Holden/Conrad Leinemann (40)      $ 2,850
17th- Ron Jenkins/Chris Hannemann (47)       $ 2,850

25th- Dan Castillo/Jason Ryan Pursley (18)   $ 1,500
25th- Jeff Rodgers/Bill Suwara (23)          $ 1,500
25th- James Fellows/Lance Lyons (25)         $ 1,500
25th- Eduardo Garrido/Carlos Loss (26)       $ 1,500
25th- Mark Paaluhi/Jason Stimpfig (27)       $ 1,500
25th- Greg Ryan/Burke Stefko (29)            $ 1,500
25th- Marcelo Duarte/Leland Quinn (34)       $ 1,500
25th- Rafat Agi/Steve Simpson (48)           $ 1,500

33rd- Brent Doble/Albert Hannemann (14)
33rd- Kevin Martin/Michael Schlegel (19)
33rd- Aaron Boss/Nick Hannemann (20)
33rd- Bruk Vandeweghe/Chris Young (28)
33rd- Aaron Smith/David Smith (33)
33rd- Curtis Griffin/Nathan Heidger (35)
33rd- Andre Gomes/Jackson Souza (36)
33rd- John Anselmo/Erik Moore (37)
33rd- Brennan Robison/Sean Scott (39)
33rd- John Child/Mark Heese (43)
33rd- Mike Mattarocci/Larry Richards (44)
33rd- Mike Minier/Jason Scott (47)
33rd- Becker/Guinosso (54)
33rd- Delahoz/Rodriquez (55)
33rd- Carter/Styles (57)
33rd- Alan/Pichel (60)

49th- Brett Gonnerman/Matt Winterburn (37)
49th- Robert Brennan/Rondeau Flynn (40)
49th- Mark Eller/Tony Zapata (42)
49th- Sean Acaza/Al Janc (43)
49th- Richard Boldt/Dane Pearson (46)
49th- Scott Murdock/Dave Whithington (49)
49th- Robert Bell/Scott Davenport (50)
49th- Baxter/Greene (52)
49th- Addy/Graham (53)
49th- Brown/Cleary (56)
49th- Igor/Norman (58)
49th- Baker/Whipple (59)
49th- Rosenthal/Smith (61)
49th- Bocherski/Kablubawski (62)

AVP AND MANHATTAN BEACH CITY OFFICIALS ENRAGED
AS HISTORICAL TOURNAMENT POSTPONED

June 13-15 Tournament Set for Hermosa Beach

Marina del Rey, Calif. (June 4, 1997) -- The AVP and Manhattan Beach City officials collectively announced today that the annual Manhattan Beach open is being moved to a new site due to legal issues having nothing to do with the sport of beach volleyball. The scheduled June 13-15 event, renamed the Miller Lite/AVP Hermosa Beach Grand Slam, will be held on the south side of Hermosa Beach Pier.

"The AVP is not abandoning Manhattan Beach as a tournament site and we are hopeful an alternate date can be reached on the 1997 schedule," said AVP CEO Jerry Solomon. "We simply owe it to our players, fans and sponsors to determine the site of next week's tournament. The City of Manhattan Beach worked very hard to overcome the roadblocks that have kept the event from taking place. The AVP is very grateful to have such a strong relationship with the City of Hermosa Beach which has provided such a viable solution."

Dubbed the "Wimbledon" of beach volleyball, the first Manhattan Beach Open was held at the pier in 1960 and has remained a constant benchmark for the sport. While Southern California has been known as the Mecca of beach volleyball, Manhattan Beach is truly the recognized roots of where the sport lies. Having grown from a Southern California lifestyle activity, into a full medal Olympic sport in 1996, no other tournament means as much to the over 100 athletes who compete each season on the Miller Lite/AVP Tour.

"We are enraged that because of a law suit brought against the City of Manhattan Beach, Los Angeles County, and the AVP by a small local interest group, we are forced to make a decision today to move the tournament, interrupting 38 years of tradition," Solomon stated.

The Miller Lite Grand Slam Series consists of the most prestigious events in the sport of beach volleyball, starting with the $300,000 Miller Lite/AVP Hermosa Beach Grand Slam (June 13-15). The Grand Slam series continues with the $300,000 Miller Lite U.S. Championships at Hermosa Beach (July 25-27) and concludes with the $300,000 Miller Lite/AVP Tour Championships at Orlando (August 29-31).

"Although the situation is unfortunate, we are glad to have the event in Hermosa Beach and look forward to working together with the AVP to put on a great tournament," stated Hermosa Beach City Manager Steve Burrel. "To have two of the events of the Grand Slam Series here in Southern California shows that we are still the heart of volleyball, especially in the South Bay."

Solomon expressed his dedication and commitment to returning to Manhattan Beach next year. "The AVP will be very aggressive in addressing issues that have kept the event from taking place in 1997, so that in 1998 the tradition of beach volleyball can return to Manhattan Beach."

Admission will be free of charge to the $300,000 Miller Lite/AVP Hermosa Beach Grand Slam. The AVP will contact ticket holders regarding refunds for the Miller Lite Open at Manhattan Beach.

PLAYERS

Seedings announced on June 10th:

Kent Steffes/Jose Loiola (1)
Adam Johnson/Karch Kiraly (2)^
Mike Dodd/Mike Whitmarsh (3)^
Scott Ayakatubby/Brian Lewis (4)v
Randy Stoklos/Troy Tanner (5)
Bill Boullianne/Rob Heidger (6)^
Dain Blanton/Canyon Ceman (7)v
Eric Fonoimoana/Bryan Ivie (8)
Mark Kerins/Andrew Smith (9) 
Ian Clark/David Swatik (10)
Henry Russell/Eric Wurts (11)
Mike Garcia/Justin Perlstrom (12)^
Scott Friederichsen/Leif Hanson (13)^
Brent Doble/Albert Hannemann (14)^
Lee LeGrand/Matt Unger (15)v
Ricci Luyties/Jim Nichols (16)v
Eduardo Bacil/Daniel Cardenas (17)*
Dan Castillo/Jason Ryan Pursley (18)v
Kevin Martin/Michael Schlegel (19)*
Aaron Boss/Nick Hannemann (20)v
Raul Papaleo/Kevin Wong (21)*
John Brajevic/Brian Gatzke (22)*
Jeff Rodgers/Bill Suwara (23)*
Daxton Holdren/Todd Rogers (24)^
James Fellows/Lance Lyons (25)v
Eduardo Garrido/Carlos Loss (26)^
Mark Paaluhi/Jason Stimpfig (27)*
Bruk Vandeweghe/Chris Young (28)*
Greg Ryan/Burke Stefko (29)*
Stein Metzger/Wayne Seligson (30)*
Matt Lyles/Greg Shankle (31)v
Guilherme Marques/R Para (32)*
Aaron Smith/David Smith (33)v
Marcelo Duarte/Leland Quinn (34)*
Curtis Griffin/Nathan Heidger (35)*
Andre Gomes/Jackson Souza (36)*
John Anselmo/Erik Moore (37)*
Brett Gonnerman/Matt Winterburn (38)*
Brennan Robison/Sean Scott (39)*
Jody Holden/Conrad Leinemann (40)*
Tody Braun/Craig Moothart (41)*
Robert Brennan/Rondeau Flynn (42)*
John Child/Mark Heese (43)*
Mark Eller/Tony Zapata (44)*
Sean Acaza/Al Janc (45)*
Mike Mattarocci/Larry Richards (46)*
Mike Minier/Jason Scott (47)*
Richard Boldt/Dane Pearson (48)*

NOTES: Number in brackets "(#)" reflects the teams seeding
       * = New Team (from previous week)
       ^ - movement up from last week
       v - movement down from last week

WHEN:

Friday,   June 13  9:30am - 6:00pm
Saturday, June 14  9:00am - 6:30pm
Sunday,   June 15  9:30am - 3:00pm 
Championship Match:  Sunday, June 15 at 2 pm PST


Qualifier June 12  64 teams in a 3-round single elimination 
                   tournament for seeds 48-64 (16 teams)

TELEVISION

Fox Sports Net will begin Sunday's broadcast at 4 pm EST,
with live coverage of the tournament final at 5 pm EST.
Check local listings.

ADMISSION:

Limited seating will be available as beach volleyball fans will have free admission to the 1997 Miller Lite/Hermosa Beach Grand Slam.

TICKET REFUNDS:

The AVP will be offering refunds to all ticket holders of the 
Miller Lite Open at Manhattan Beach.  The outlets where tickets
were purchased will be contacting ticket holders.

NUMBER OF TEAMS, FORMAT

64 Teams
Double Elimination

PAST CHAMPIONS - MANHATTAN BEACH

1996 - Karch Kiraly/Kent Steffes
1995 - Adam Johnson/Jose Loiola
1994 - Adam Johnson/Randy Stoklos
1993 - Karch Kiraly/Kent Steffes
1992 - Karch Kiraly/Kent Steffes
1991 - Karch Kiraly/Kent Steffes
1990 - Karch Kiraly/Brent Frohoff
1989 - Sinjin Smith/Randy Stoklos
1988 - Karch Kiraly/Ricci Luyties
1987 - Tim Hovland/Mike Dodd
1986 - Sinjin Smith/Randy Stoklos
1985 - Tim Hovland/Mike Dodd
1984 - Tim Hovland/Mike Dodd
1983 - Tim Hovland/Mike Dodd
1982 - Tim Hovland/Mike Dodd
1981 - Randy Stoklos/Jim Menges
1980 - Karch Kiraly/Sinjin Smith
1979 - Jim Menges/Sinjin Smith
1978 - Greg Lee/Jim Menges
1977 - Chris Marlowe/Jim Menges
1976 - Steve Obradovich - Chris Marlowe
1975 - Greg Lee - Jim Menges
1974 - Ron Von Hagen - Tom Chamales
1973 - Bob Jackson - Fred Zuelich
1972 - Buzz Swartz - Matt Gage
1971 - Bob Clem - Larry Rundle
1970 - Ron Von Hagen - Henry Bergmann
1969 - Ron Von Hagen - John Vallely
1968 - Larry Rundle - Henry Bergmann
1967 - Ron Von Hagen - Ron Lang
1966 - Ron Von Hagen - Ron Lang
1965 - Ron Lang - Gene Selznick
1964 - Mike O'Hara - Mike Bright
1963 - Mike O'Hara - Mike Bright
1962 - Mike O'Hara - Mike Bright
1962 - Mike O'Hara - Mike Bright
1960 - Mike O'Hara - Mike Bright

YEAR EVENT BEGAN: 1960