A Different Act Steals the Show on Main Beach’s Stage

Bobby Jacobs goes up for a block against Don Saunders. Staff Photo: Ted Reckas Forty-eight players from across southern California battled for the title in two men’s and women’s divisions in the fourth annual Laguna Beach Classic, held this past weekend.

Perfect weather reigned over Main Beach with winners taking home trophies, new volleyballs and bragging rights. “What’s so neat about Laguna is everything is right there. It’s like being on center stage, with the boardwalk and the restaurants and the tourists walking around,” said organizer Kirk Morgan, a 25-year resident, who has organized approximately 50 tournaments. “It’s a really nice atmosphere. It’s a very pleasant place to be. The interest that we have received from being right there has been tremendous.”

The biggest beach volleyball tournament in the world, held in Estero Beach, Mexico, was cancelled this year for the first time in 35 years due to violence in Baja. Morgan, who has played in 29 of the last 31 years of the event, said the Laguna Beach tournament has been a great way to regain momentum.

Vance Coalinga (L), Ben Siegel (R) gets ready to dig a big hit from Nick Cargill. Staff photo: Ted Reckas “Laguna Beach is a great place to have this tournament. The city has been fantastic. Ron Lutz has been so supportive in terms of letting us rebuild the tournaments and the whole volleyball scene. Really supporting us in a time when everything else is on the wane.”

Women’s A Division winners: Lina al Bargash, Gina Hause

Men’s A Division winners: Christian Madrigal, Justin Mc- Intee

Women’s B Division winners: Jennifer Nunnikhoven, Lee Bexiga

Men’s B Division winners: Brian Taber, Paul Ocker (Laguna Beach)
Dr. Marcella McKibben and Paige Strayer of Laguna Beach. Photo: Ed Chang
Lucy, 3, watches the action. Photo: Ed ChangThe scene at the Fall Classic at Main Beach on Saturday. Photo: Ed Chang