Glendale Resident Wins Two Divisions at Desert Open

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

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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (May 31, 2011) – The 2011 Desert Open saw some 30 teams participate on a sunny and blustery day on May 28 at Victory Lane Sports Park in Glendale, Ariz.

Madeline Mertz of Glendale, Ariz., used the tournament to secure her spot as one of Arizona's premiere junior beach players. She teamed with Sarah Sponcil (Phoenix) to take the gold medal in the girls’ 16's division, topping Jordan Anderson (Phoenix) and Alexis Patterson (Phoenix), 21-11, 21-7. Kayla Lederer and Mia Rivera, both of Gilbert, Ariz., finished third.

Mertz came back four hours later and won the girls’ 18's division with Lexi Anderson (Phoenix), topping Flagstaff's duo of Courtney Leffel and Isabella Gosar, 21-17, 21-15. The Mesa, Ariz., team of Milani Pickering and Morgan Carman placed third.

Nick Benson and Cody Martin combined to take the gold medal in the boys’ 18's division, topping Tyler Hutchins and Jake Nuneviller in the final, 21-19, 21-10. Drew Davis and Daniel Vilella, both from Glendale, placed third.

Brooke Coleman and Eleni Loizou topped Brooke Nuneviller (Tempe, Ariz.) and Alayna Wagner (Tempe, Ariz.) for the girls’ 12's gold in a spirited final, 21-23, 21-14, 15-13. Lauren Weintraub (Chandler, Ariz.) and Michelle Ogle (Phoenix) placed third.

The girls’ 14's division saw Hailey Harward and Lilly Nelson topping Justine Spann and Tristan Moser, 21-17, 21-17 for the top spot. Brooke Nuneviller and Baylee Lippencott (Phoenix) placed third.

In the boys’ 14's, Ryne Benson and Carson Flood, both from Phoenix, took the gold.

Tags: Beach, Beach Volleyball, Junior Beach, USA Beach Junior Tour, USA Beach Volleyball Junior Tour