Akers, Turner Finish Third in New Zealand

B.J. Hoeptner Evans
Manager, Media Relations and Publications
Phone: (719) 228-6800
E-Mail: bj.evans@usav.org  

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Jan. 25, 2010) – The U.S. women’s beach volleyball team of Angie Akers and Tyra Turner finished third on Sunday (Jan. 24) at the 2010 McEntee Hire New Zealand Open in Auckland.

In Sunday’s bronze-medal match, Akers (Fort Wayne, Ind.) and Turner (Fort Myers Beach, Fla.) defeated the Chinese team of 2008 Olympic silver medalist Tian Jia and Wang Feiing.

On Saturday, Akers and Turner advanced to the quarterfinals with a 21-10, 21-8 victory over New Zealand’s Michelle Kenny and Marie-Claire Brehaut.

In the quarterfinals, Akers and Turner defeated New Zealand’s Micah Lindsay-Brown and Hannah Croad, 21-12, 21-9.

In Saturday’s semifinal, Akers and Turner fell to New Zealand’s Anna Scarlett and Susan Blundell, 15-21, 17-21.

Germans Sara Goller and Laura Ludwig won the tournament, defeating Scarlett and Blundell in the final.

Athletes in Action Honors Johnson Jordan

Athletes in Action, a sport ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ International, will honor professional beach volleyball player and Olympian Jennifer Johnson Jordan (Sherman Oaks, Calif.) along with Ohio State Buckeye football coach Jim Tressel with induction into the AIA Hall of Faith. The ceremony will take place at Night of Champions on May 6 at AIA World Headquarters at the Legacy Center in Xenia, Ohio.

Athletes in Action honors modern day sport heroes who live a lifestyle of faith, leadership, and values. The Hall of Faith award is presented annually to one male and one female from the world of sport who best exemplifies outstanding character and integrity-whether on the field of competition, in the home, or in the community.

Johnson Jordan and partner Annett Davis (Long Beach, Calif.) placed fifth at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney. In 2009, the team had 11 podium finishes on the AVP Tour.

Find Athletes in Action on the web at www.athletesinaction.org. Visit www.aianightofchampions.com for more information on Night of Champions.

Tags: Angie Akers, Beach, Beach Volleyball, Tyra Turner