COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Feb. 4, 2020) – Five U.S. women’s beach teams begin 2020 international competition this week at the FIVB two-star women-only event on Feb. 6-9 in Siem Reap, Cambodia.
The event marks the debut of the new beach team of Olympian Lauren Fendrick (photo above) and Sara Hughes. Their combined points have made them the tournament’s top seed.
Fendrick is returning from a maternity break. She gave birth to daughter Willow in June of 2019.
Hughes played most of 2018 and ’19 with Summer Ross, who is still recovering from a back injury.
Also making it into the main draw are Kelly Reeves/Terese Cannon, who are seeded 13th in the main draw prior to the qualifier. The pair has never competed internationally together but did play in two 2019 AVP events where they finished 17th (Chicago) and ninth (Waikiki).
The new team of Allie Wheeler/Aurora Davis got a wild card into the qualifier where they are seeded third. The two other U.S. teams in the qualifier are Crissy Jones/Traci (Weamer) Callahan (seeded 12th) and Kim Hildreth/Sarah Schermerhorn (seeded 13th).
PHNOM PENH
Three U.S. men’s teams are registered for the FIVB men-only event on Feb. 19-23 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Two-time indoor Olympian David Lee announced last month that he is playing on the AVP this year with fellow Olympian Reid Priddy. However Lee is register for Phnom Penh with Miles Partain.
Chaim Schalk, who is playing with Chase Budinger this season, is trying to gain some FIVB points in Cambodia with Bill Kolinske. Adam Roberts will play with Michael Boag.
DOHA
The race for men’s Olympic qualification begins in earnest at the FIVB four-star on March 9-13 in Doha, Qatar.
The top four U.S. men’s beach teams in the FIVB provisional Olympic rankings are registered:
Jake Gibb/Taylor Crabb
Tri Bourne/Trevor Crabb
Phil Dalhuasser/Nick Lucena
Billy Allen/Stafford Slick
Two new U.S. men’s team are also hoping to play: Theo Brunner/Miles Evans and Chaim Schalk/Chase Budinger.