Manhattan Beach held the historic Charlie Saikley 6-Man tournament in the middle of the week for the second year in a row July 31-August 1. Grumbling spread throughout the community and as expected, less teams signed up to play than when the event was on Saturday and Sunday with around 45 teams participating this year.
The change came after a rowdy 2011 tournament when 35 people were arrested for a variety of offenses ranging from theft to public intoxication and vandalism. This year, a mere two arrests were made and a couple of citations given, but all in all, the goal of toning down the notoriously raucous behavior was successful.
Despite the change, many recognizable pros and top-tier former college players made it out to Manhattan Beach on Wednesday and Thursday. In the men’s division team Simmzy’s won the title after coming through the loser’s bracket and being forced to defeat 12th Street twice to win (due to the later team’s otherwise undefeated record in the double elimination tournament). The young squad included Tommy Becker, the former Loyola Chicago libero; Austin Zahn, a USC middle blocker from 2008-2011; and Trevor Crabb, a recently graduated Long Beach State outside hitter and brother of 2013 AVCA Player of the Year Taylor Crabb. The women’s top division was dominated by Rusher/Bacchus 900, winning their fifth consecutive title after defeating team Rockstar. Rusher/Bacchus 900 boasted current and former pros Whitney Pavlik, Jess Gysin, Carrie Dodd, Lisa Arce Zimmerman, and Leanne McSorley.
What do you think of the schedule change and attempts to cut down on the wild nature of this classic tournament? Is it nurturing or neutering? Let us know via Facebook or send an email to
