By JIMMY DUNNE Special to the Palisadian-Post It was a perfect end-of-summer Sunday on the beach at Bel-Air Bay Club, where 75 juniors from the Beach Club, Jonathan Club and Bel-Air Bay Club battled it out for the Conference Volleyball Championships two weeks ago at Will Rogers State Beach. Bel-Air Bay Club handily won the title with 22 team wins. The Beach Club finished second with 11 wins and the Jonathan Club was third with five wins. Bel-Air Bay Club won the 14-and-under and 16-and-under Divisions while the Beach Club took first-place in the 12s and 18s. ‘What really struck me more than the kids’ incredible ability was the smiles on their faces and how they acted,’ Beach Club coach Roland Sunga said. ‘I never saw one kid question a call the whole day.’ Juniors’ ages spanned from 10 to 18 and competition was open to both boys and girls. Rock music blared across the beach, moms and dads cheered on the participants and kids had fun with their best friends, culminating with a barbecue on the beach. ‘I look forward to this event all summer long,’ said Meg Norton of the Jonathan Club, who proudly captured ‘Most Improved Player’ honors in the Conference. One of the most celebrated awards of the afternoon went to Madison Wojciechowski, who earned the coveted Linda Hanley Award for exemplifying true character during competition. The award honors Palisades resident Linda Hanley, one of the greatest women’s beach volleyball players of all time, who expressed her passion, love of life and respect for others throughout a stellar pro career. ‘The reason Bel-Air Bay Club’s coaches Greg and Clark Porter are so successful is because they really have a good relationship with so many of the volleyball kids at the club,’ Athletic Director Jason Sandoval said. Huey Wilton of the Beach Club was the Conference’s Most Valuable Player for his dominance in the 18s Division while Peter Eichler, Claire Kannan, Rusty Barneson and Kelly Irvin also earned accolades for their standout play. ‘Hughie Wilton is a force to be reckoned with in beach volleyball. He may very well be the next Karch Kiraly,’ said Roland Sunga, who was named co-Coach of the Year along with Rick Kinnan of the Beach Club. Rows and rows of parents, friends and kids lined the beach breathing in the last moments of a great summer. ‘Is this a great day in Southern California, or what?’ said Cindy Simon as she cheered on daughter Lulu from her beach chair. ‘It’s competitive, and you really want to win’but that’s really not what this day is about,’ Henry Elder said. ‘There’s a spirit in this event that’s not like any other volleyball tournament.’ As the kids sat at picnic tables, they watched the sun melt into the Pacific Oceran and contemplated the upcoming school year, which, for many, began the next day. ‘I’m beaching it with my best friends, I won a trophy today, and I don’t have any homework when I go home,’ said Jessie Kybartas of the Bel-Air Bay Club. ‘What’s better than that?’
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