By Bill Garland
Sun, sand, skilled athletes and a volleyball were key factors in the success of the 3rd annual Westport Lions Beach Volleyball tournament held Saturday at Lions Beach Park and Rice’s Farm. Eight very competitive teams vied for the title of Westport Lions 2015 Beach Volleyball champion.
Thanks to all the teams and participants that made the 2015 event a huge success. Four teams from Westport and area, two teams from Kingston, 1 team from Belleville and 1 team from Kemptville made up this year’s tournament roster. Local teams from Camp Iawah, Hartless, Bump Set Pop and Ricers displayed strong volleyball skills. Ryatt, Sun Seekers, Benny and the Jets and the Outsiders rounded out this year’s roster of teams.
The Westport Lions beach volleyball court could not accommodate the 33 games scheduled in one day. The Westport Lions Club would like to thank Jeff and Kathy Rice for hosting tournament games on their excellent sand volleyball court at their home. Thanks for your efforts in preparing the court for tournament play! The growth of this tournament will require the building of a 2nd court on the Lions Beach property in time for next year’s tournament.
All teams played 3 games in round robin action in 2 divisions. Sun Seekers ranked first in the A division and Hartless ranked first in the B division. All quarter and semi-final games were the best 2 out of 3 games. The Outsiders, Hartless, Sun Seekers and Ryatt advanced to the semi-final action after hard fought quarter final matches. Sun Seekers won a very close victory over the Outsiders and Ryatt outlasted Hartless in semi-final action.
The 2 Kingston teams, Ryatt and Sun Seekers, squared off in the championship match with Sun Seekers prevailing by 1 point in each game.
Congratulations to the Sun Seekers team members Marben Espejo, Yannick Plante, Logan Morris and Lindsay Burtch for winning the title of Westport Lions Champions for 2015.
Fun and sportsmanship is the focus of this event and it was very evident that every player contributed to the enjoyment of participants and spectators. The Lions Beach was crowded all day thanks to the sun and volleyball. A special thanks to our sponsors Ryatt Volleyball, The Tangled Garden, The Cove, The Village Green, The Port Pizza and Sandwiches, Vanilla Bean, Lower Mountain Mercantile, Westport Bakery, Rosie Yumski’s, CW Roofing, Rice Family, Dwain Smith Backhoe and Cottage Coffee for their support and providing prizes for the participants.
Westport Lions Club 