Beautiful weather and the prelude to the Beijing Olympic Games set the stage for a great four days of beach volleyball.
Thursday were the qualifying rounds for the last eight slots in the main draw, for those players trying to make the jump to the big leagues. I have made a few friends in that category since I started shooting volleyball and it was nice to see them working out. The reigning AVP champs Kerri, Misty, Phil & Todd make it look so effortless, but when you start on Thursday you realize the size of the pyramid they are standing atop.
It was also a good way to test my shooting strategies and get my timing set — those players are not near the ball for very long, and I surprised myself at how well I was able to time and focus my shots this weekend.
For the first time in a decade the AVP charged admission to the three main courts, which created a situation Friday and Saturday of large crowds on the outer courts, enjoying a soulful volleyball experience; and thin crowds on center court, which meant you could get a great seat to a more “professional” experience. Here are links to my shots of Friday morning, Friday afternoon, and Saturday morning. You can probably tell I preferred shooting at the outer courts, where I could frame my shots with surf and blue sky in the background. But I have to say I really like being a spectator in the stadium, where emotions are higher and the drama is more, uhh… dramatic.
By Sunday of course, all the action was on the main courts, which meant getting a seat up high in the stands to enjoy both the ocean waves and breezes; and the incredible volleyball performances on the sand, punctuated by MC Jeeter’s informative ramblings. I can just imagine the stories he’ll have to tell when he gets to be Vin Scully’s age.
All in all, a great time! If you didn’t get enough volleyball this weekend, the AVP will be back in Long Beach in July and Manhattan Beach in September. They will be playing in Beijing August 9~22.
