Best of the Beach, my favorite AVP tourney of the year took place this past weekend and it didn't disappoint. I love this format because instead of watching players with their regular partners playing the regular teams as we do all summer long, this tournament is the only one of the season that is actually an individual event. Needless to say, that makes for some interesting match ups.
The way the tourney works is that each of the top players plays each pool play match with a different partner, anyone but the person they normally play with. The top individuals head to a playoff and then the top two face off in a final in which they get to pick the player they think can help them win - anyone but their current partner of course.
We get to see short players together, tall players together, partners playing against each other, different playing styles, strategies and chemistry. At the end, the player who is the most consistent wins.
The final matched Jeff Nygaard (who chose Todd Rogers as his partner) against Phil Dalhuasser (who picked John Hyden.) Nygaard's knee was bothering him, but he put up a valiant effort in a two-set loss to Dalhausser who earned his first Best of the Beach Title.
On the women's side, it was Jen Kessy (with Tyra Turner) vs. Dianne DeNecochea (with Elaine Youngs.) Kessy made a wise choice when she picked Tyra Turner. She got some great play out of Turner who blocked Dianne's lights out to help Kessy win her second straight Best of the Beach title in two sets.
It is always interesting to see who ends up in the finals and to see how each player can adapt to constantly changing circumstances.
More interesting still is that players get a glimpse into how and if they are carrying their partners and who they might be wise to choose if the dominoes start to fall in the off-season. The season may be coming to a close, but the games may be just beginning.
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