King of the Court – Huntington Beach
- Huntington Beach Pier; Huntington Beach, California
- Sept. 22-23, 2018
- Preview
Americans Taylor Crabb/Jake Gibb won their second straight King of the Court crown, following victory in Waikiki last week with another win in Huntington Beach on Sunday.
Alix Klineman/April Ross finished off the second straight USA sweep, winning the women’s crown. Kelley Larsen/Emily Stockman won in Waikiki.
In the first men’s semifinal, Spain’s Pablo Herrera/Adrian Gavira and Switzerland’s Nica Beeler/Marco Krattiger moved on.
In the second semifinal, Crabb/Gibb and fellow Americans Jeremy Casebeer and Reid Priddy advanced to the finals. Americans Trevor Crabb/Tri Bourne earned the final spot moving through the Lucky Loser’s round.
Beeler was joined in the finals by the Netherland’s Robert Meeuwsen after Marco Krattiger had to exit due to injury.
Crabb/Bourne were the first team out in the finals, followed by Casebeer/Priddy. Crabb/Gibb closed out their second straight title run, scoring 15 points to six by Herrera/Gavira and five by Beeler/Meeuwsen.
The title was the second in a row for Crabb/Gibb, while it marked the second podium finish for Herrera/Gavira, who won the title in Utrecht.
“This format is physically demanding but it’s a lot of fun,” said Gibb, a long-time Huntington Beach resident.
.@JakeGibb and @TCrabbs13 go back-to-back, taking home Waikiki and Huntington Beach @KOTCbeach titles. Congrats, boys! Now, it’s time to celebrate! #KingOrOut #BeachMode pic.twitter.com/QaePrReeJQ
— The AVP (@avpbeach) September 24, 2018
In women’s action, Klineman/Ross and Brazilians Agatha Bednarczuk/Eduarda ‘Duda’ Santos Lisboa qualified for the finals from the first semifinal. Canada’s Sarah Pavan/Melissa Humana-Paredes and Americans Sara Hughes/Summer Ross came through Semifinal 2. Americans Brittany Howard/Kelly Reeves were tabbed as the Lucky Losers.
Once in the finals, Hughes/Ross were the first eliminated followed by Agatha/Duda. Klineman/Ross scored 15 points in the third round of finals action, outdoing Pavan/Humana-Paredes (11) and Howard/Reeves (2) for the crown.
The runnerup finish marked the second King of the Court podium finish for the Canadians, who were third in Waikiki.
And the crown goes to USA’s @AprilRossBeach and @alixklineman. Congrats on being named the Queen of the Court at @KOTCbeach Huntington Beach. #KingOrOut #BeachMode pic.twitter.com/u7ijuPlXxv
— The AVP (@avpbeach) September 23, 2018
“It was amazing to win on my home beach, Ross said. “I’m so stoked to win in front of you guys. The field was so tough out there, that final was ridiculous, the semis were ridiculous – this means a lot to come out on top.”
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