Devon Newberry finally felt it. The pro athlete vibe.
For two years, the former UCLA standout chased that feeling across sandy courts. Then came the Intuit Dome. 300 tons of sand turned the Clippers' arena into the AVP's latest canvas. And Newberry? She was glowing.
A New Era
"I feel like a professional athlete," Newberry said, soaking in the NBA arena moonlighting as a beach haven. Finally, beach volleyball got its indoor spotlight.
Megan Kraft and Terese Cannon kicked things off, taking down the San Diego Smash. Later, Hagen Smith and Logan Webber put the finishing touches on a perfect start for the L.A. Launch. In between, the Palm Beach Passion handled business, dismantling the Miami Mayhem.
Flipping the Script
The AVP took a risk, and it paid off. "Playing in such an amazing place… it’s really cool," said Chaim Schalk, a 2016 Olympian. Chase Budinger, NBA-turned-volleyball pro, chimed in: "This will get more people in the stands because it's so new and so different."
No wind. No sun. Just power and precision. Faster rallies, tighter scores. Newberry put it best: "It feels like more of an even playing field."
The Future of Beach Volleyball
Forget sunburnt fans on creaky bleachers. This was parents on cushioned seats, kids balancing pizza and wings. A new crowd, a new vibe.
"There’s so many people who would love beach volleyball if they were just given the opportunity to go watch," Newberry noted. And just like that, beach volleyball found its new stage. Next stop? The world.
That'll do it.
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Source: latimes.com
