HOUSE PARTY: Top American players battled for precious spots in an FIVB Grand Slam in China at Annenberg Beach House in Santa Monica, Calif.
points left them out of the mix. Entry into FIVB Grand Slam events is based on points accumulated by both members of a beach volleyball team. The top three U.S. teams in terms of points are entered automatically. The FIVB country quota playoff and NORCECA qualifiers are a way for next-tier teams to work their way onto the FIVB World Tour USA Volleyball’s Beach National Team Director Sean Scott, who was on hand in Santa Monica to help coordinate the event held in gusty winds, said USA Volleyball is always looking for ways to develop teams and create op- portunities.
“There is no perfect system,” he said. “This is a start where teams near the top will have an opportunity to play their way into FIVB events and still give the top three teams automatic entry. If teams want to avoid playing off to get into FIVB events, then they simply have to stay ranked in the top three.” Todd Rogers and Theo Brunner entered the Santa Monica qualifier as the fourth-ranked team in FIVB points, while Pavlik and Fopma held that distinc- tion for the women. Both entered the qualifying event as the top-seeded teams in their gender.
For Hyden, 41, the event marked an opportunity to extend his beach
career, which started in 2001. “I think our goal is to compete in these playoffs and qualifiers and win them so we can get on the FIVB tour and by the end of the year, be one of those top teams that doesn’t have to qualify anymore,” Hyden said. “We have a long way to go.” Hochevar echoed similar sentiments. “We at least have an idea of how the season is going to start,” she said. “We’ll take it one tournament at a time from there.”
Scott said USA Volleyball planned to host a similar qualifier in May for entry into future FIVB events and that updated points would be used.
AGELESS John Hyden remains at the top of his game at the age of 41. He has joined forces with Tri Bourne to try to earn FIVB points.
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