Beach Volleyball News

Inside the EVP: Miami Beach

by Matt Heath

May 14th , 2007

This week Jake Elliott and I were lucky enough to stay with a living legend, Kenny Haan and his wife Julie.  Kenny is the winningest player in Florida Beach history.  Let me make something clear, though we had a place to stay, any transit responsibility fell directly on us.  Kenny's Rule Numero Uno: No Airport Runs

 

 

 

Even though their home, with its 80 ft of dock along a bay on the intercoastal, is less than twenty minutes from the Ft. Lauderdale airport, we were responsible for our own transportation there and back.

 

 

 

 

Jake and I landed at 10 a.m. after grabbing our bags and a cab ride we were playing box hockey by 10:45.  I can't fully explain Box Hockey but lets just say this, Jake's only chance at victory was against a girl and even then she fought him to a tie.  In his defense, the girl happened to be Kelly Haan, Kenny's daughter, who not only excels at obscure sports but also is one heck of a defensive volleyball player who upset the one seeds and ended up third in this week's tournament in Miami.

 

So after box hockey, we took a ride on the Ultra M.A.C., a bike of his design that can be powered by your arms and legs.  It takes a little coordination but once you get it going it is a great workout and an ideal way to build shoulder strength.   After grabbing a quick bite to eat we were off to play some golf.  All I am going to say about our round is: though Kenny is very kind in his home he was a bloodthirsty shark circling Jake and I on the golf course.   You don't win as many tournaments as he has without a competitive side and he is a testament to that spirit.  He will never miss an opportunity to eat your lunch.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This week the EVP tour debuted in South Beach, Miami.  Miami is the most eclectic location to ever host a volleyball tournament.  It is really hard to keep your focus on the task at hand amidst all the distractions.   Lucky for me, Jake is married to a beautiful wife so while my attention may sway he was always there to keep me on track.  So in a nutshell, Jake's superhuman focus gave us the EVP Miami title.

 

This week's tournament was host to the strongest field yet this year.  Everybody turned out for this season's first televised event.  Even Mark Paaluhi was there.  Jake and I started off a little shaky, like usual.  For some reason we never start off great but this week we really had to rally as we had our hands full with Marcos Macau and his partner Adrian.  Then the wind picked up a bit and we were able to use our ball control to help us into the quarterfinals.  There we faced Paaluhi and his Miami partner, young Kaewe Adolpho.  This was a windy match as well.  In wind matches we really try to focus on bringing everything lower.  We essentially tighten up our game with low passes, shorter sets and quicker attacks.  At least that is the idea.  It can be hard when somebody is bombing jump serves at you.  After winning here we were able to rest and wait to see whom we would meet in the crossover.  In the semis we faced Dana Camacho and Matt Henderson.  This wasn't much of a match, we beat them badly in the first game and were winning the second when Dana decided to tap out, we won by submission.  In the finals we played the big Brazilian team.  I was looking forward to a battle but as it turned out Mark and Kaewe stretched them to their limits in the other semi.  By the time they got to us Adriano was cramping and they were reliant on Fabio's ability to two ball.  Though Fabio was exceptional at his task it was a matter of time until we were able to figure it out.

 

Just before the final I received a little extra motivation.  Butch and Diane Hendricks, of Hendricks Construction offered us a steak dinner if we won.  The dinner conversation was awesome and that was the best darn steak I have eaten in a while.  Thanks a lot guys.

 

Back in Florida next week, Deerfield Beach.  This was my home beach while in college...in other words I skipped a great many classes to be down there balling.  See you there!

 

 

Matt Heath is sponsored by Native Eyewear and Beach Volleyball News.