Going to the AVP is always a good day. If you are in Huntington Beach, a little less so.

Last year, I walked away from last year’s HB open-- cold. This year the experience wasn’t, ya know, bad it was just flaccid. Last year’s shock cover charge of $20 a day I was prepared for. What I didn’t know was that they had changed the format. Friday was all prelims, the best part of the tournament. By the time I had pilgrimaged from Hollywood and arrived at 9:30…pretty much the tourney was over. The under-ranked had gone home.

I was told they would wrap up the tourney on Saturday and the final four would then re-play with on Sunday. I spoke to several AVP staff members but it didn’t seem to make sense to them either.

I couldn’t see through the fact that I had been gypped out of the Lindquisdt sisters, again, rising to the top and watching More/Stonebarger falling down. Though eliminated, Team L continues to play hard and finishing consistently. Definitely bigger players than their 5’7 height would allow less skilled players.

The general atmosphere seemed tame and conservative. Even the best matchup, Rachel Wacholder/Tyra Turner vs. Team Crackpot Jenn Boss/ April Ross, was under attended. A malaise had set in. Huntington just lacked enthusiasm from the fans. The fans themselves seemed almost limited to family members. The players gave a great show and seemed to be hanging out a bit more than normal. Rachel Wacholder joined Kerri Walsh sitting in the sand to root on Casey Jennings. Just a few feet away were Boss/Ross. They didn’t speak to each other.

But no fear, I’m sure Santa Barbara, Hermosa and this year’s Fall Classic Manhattan will bring it all back on.

Here’s some video. Poor Tyra she got smacked right in the face with this one. But after some treatment (a good sized cut over the eye) she was right back on her game.

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