USA Volleyball's Dave Williams Dies

Dave Williams, managing director of beach programs for USA Volleyball, passed away Tuesday morning at the age of 55 after a short battle with cancer.

Williams, a Hermosa Beach resident and native of Brilliant, Ohio, had family at his side when he succumbed in a Southern California hospital.

“USA Volleyball has lost a wonderful employee, a wonderful human being and a dear friend with Dave’s passing today,” stated USA Volleyball CEO Doug Beal on the association’s website. “I am having a terribly hard time digesting and accepting that Dave will not grace us with his wit, energy, passion and love of life anymore.

“Dave brought so much passion and creativity to our staff and to the sport,” Beal said. 

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Russian Pairs Finish First and Second at Vilnius Open

Vilnius, Lithuania, May 12, 2013. In an all-Russian final match Olga Motrich/Irina Chaika could eventually edge their compatriots Anna Alova/Anna Markova in straight sets (21-16, 21-17) to win the Vilnius Open, the first stop of this year’s Beach Volleyball tour promoted by the Eastern European Volleyball Zonal Association (EEVZA). The tournament did write history since for the very first time an event held by a Zonal Association distributed FIVB Ranking Points to the participating duos.

Motrich/Chaika had found their way to the final match after edging another Russian pair in the semis, namely Nadezhda Makroguzova/Darya Rudikh, with a speedy 21-11, 21-9. In the other semifinal, Anna Alova/Anna Markova – who had made it to the top four after going through the losers’ bracket – upset the local heroines and 2012 Youth world champions, Monika Povilaityte and Ieva Dumbauskaite, with a straight-set win (21-14, 24-22). The Lithuanian teens – who in 2011 were crowned U18 European champions in Vilnius – got back on track to settle for third place as they cruised past Russia’s Makroguzova/Rudikh in the consolation final (24-22, 21-12).

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Teams Confirmed for FIVB World Cup Final

Lausanne, Switzerland, May 13, 2013 – The teams representing the 16 countries filling the 10 spots per gender at the inaugural FIVB Beach Volleyball World Cup Final in Campinas, Brazil from May 29 to June 2 have been confirmed.

What started in 2010 as part of the Olympic Beach Volleyball qualification system, will culminate in Brazil with the inaugural $300,000 FIVB World Cup Final, organised by the Brazilian Volleyball Federation to determine the Continental Cup winner. The landmark double-gender event will be staged in a purpose-built complex in Campinas at the Parque Do Taquaral Portão 7, Avenida Dr. Heitor Penteado. Campinas is located in the State of São Paulo in Brazil.

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Olympic Beach Volleyballer Hinchley Forced to Slow Down

OLYMPIC beach volleyballer Tamsin Hinchley admits she may not be the most rational person when competing.

What athlete was rational when it came to elite competition?

The focus is on doing what it takes to win and make it to the top, pushing through pain.

But an ankle reconstruction has forced Hinchley to slow down and really take time to make her next sporting move.

The 33-year-old says she is learning to be patient and enjoy the uncertainty.

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