Pedro Solberg/Bruno Schmidt Crowned King of the Court in Antwerp
After not even making the finals on Friday, Brazil’s Pedro Solberg/Bruno Schmidt were crowned King of the Court on Saturday in Antwerp, Belgium. The duo also was honored for the longest stay on the Kings side of the court during the competition.
WATCH LIVE: King of the Court Crown Series Begins Friday
Top international teams will compete in four iconic beach volleyball locations around the world for the King of the Court tiel, and with a total prize purse of US$ 450,000 and a new highly-coveted title at stake, play will be fast and furious.
Still In It: Sponcil/Cannon Go From Qualifiers to AVP Chicago Semis
As the sun set on Chicago Saturday night, the semifinals field was set for the AVP Gold Series Championships, though the day was ripe with upsets in the contender’s bracket, with No. 18 Terese Cannon/Sarah Sponcil making it all the way back to the semis through five matches.
Two-time Champs Hochevar/Day to Face Off in Manhattan Beach
Former partners Brittany Hochevar and Emily Day, who have won the last two Manhattan Beach Open titles together, will be on opposite sides of the court with another title shot on the line on Sunday. Meanwhile, No. 6 Jeremy Casebeer/Reid Priddy crashed the men’s final four playing through the contender’s bracket.
Tri Bourne Makes Return After 18 Months Off at AVP Manhattan Beach
Friday’s AVP Manhattan Beach Open slate marked the return of Tri Bourne, after an 18-month battle with an autoimmune disorder, and also saw the top three seeds in the men’s and women’s brackets stay alive in the winner’s bracket. The No. 5 seeds on both sides also picked up three wins each.
Chile’s Grimalts, Germany’s Mersmann/Tillman Bring Home Tokyo Gold
Marco Grimalt/Esteban Grimalt of Chile earned their first FIVB World Tour podium finish, while Germans Teresa Mersmann/Cinja Tillman posted a trio of sweeps on Sunday to earn their second tour title.
WATCH LIVE: Tokyo Three Star Semis, Finals Beginning at 10 p.m. ET
The Tokyo Three Star semifinals and podium matches are set to begin at 10 p.m. ET Saturday and will be streamed live on the FIVB YouTube channel. Americans Casey Patterson/Stafford Slick will vie for the bronze at midnight ET.
Chile, Serbia to Battle for Tokyo Gold, Fendrick/Sponcil in Last 8
The podium matches are set for the men’s Tokyo Three Star, while the women’s first of the women’s semifinalists was decided. Team USA’s Casey Patterson/Stafford Slick will vie for bronze, while Lauren Fendrick/Sarah Sponcil are in the women’s quarterfinals.
Flint/Day Win Pool E in Tokyo, Patterson/Slick On To Quarters
Americans Betsi Flint/Emily Day and Lauren Fendrick/Sarah Sponcil and three Japanese duos are among 16 women’s teams left at the Tokyo Three Star. Meanwhile, Team USA’s Casey Patterson/Stafford Slick remain among the final eight on the men’s side.
USA’s Patterson/Slick Top Pool D at Tokyo Three-Star
American Stafford Slick/Casey Patterson were among eight pool title winners crowned at the Tokyo Three Star on Thursday, while three of the four women’s teams representing the USA won their opening pool matches.