Laguna Open is in the books, with a surprise at the top of the Men’s bracket
Photos by Scott Brashier
The California Beach Volleyball Association (CBVA) and the Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP) partnered with the City of Laguna this past weekend (October 22-24) to present the Laguna Open on the sand of the famed Main Beach. Up for grabs was a $17,000 purse for the men and women.
The Men’s Open Final was a high flying, big hitting battle, featuring a rematch from earlier bracket play. The match saw the #1 seed, AVP veteran Billy Allen and USC Middle Blocker/AVP budding star Andy Benesh, come up short again versus rising AVP newcomer Logan Webber and hot handed Scotsman Seain Cook.

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Avery Drost up blocking against Kevin Villella, while Alexander Biz looks on
Webber’s long, tall frame led to big blocks, while Cook ran down balls all over on defense, showing touch and power against “big” Benesh. Cook’s win in Laguna Beach was his second victory in two weeks, following his title in the p1440 Santa Barbara tournament last weekend.

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Annika Rowland hitting and Teegan Van Gunst watching, Katie Lindstrom on defense
In the Women’s Open, a pair of Georgia sisters battled two seasoned Californian collegiate beach volleyball stars. Annika Van Gunst Rowland and Teegan Van Gunst of Georgia Tech dueled with Savvy Simo, a UCLA standout, and Jessica Gaffney, a Cal Bear and AVP newcomer.
Simo and Gaffney clinched the Women’s Open title and took home the $3,500 purse.

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Katie Lindstrom and Lauren Deturk with their backs to the camera, Briana Hinga facing front
The Laguna Open pledged equal prize money to both genders and also was able to feature a tournament that had featured Men’s Open and Women’s Open matches at the same time.
Also taking place was the “Battle of the Beaches” Four Person Tournament, featuring a coed team competition made up of Laguna locals vying for bragging rights for their home beach. The four beaches – Emerald Bay, Main Beach, Victoria Beach and Three Arch Bay, all fielded a team.

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Iya Lindahl dives for the ball
Main Beach, the 2019 Four Man winner was captained by Mike Garcia, a former UCLA and AVP volleyball player; Three Arch Bay was led by Malcolm Gapp; Emerald Bay was captained by Gary Cogorno and Beau Bianchi; and Victoria Beach was led by Lael Fresenius, Frana Sadler and Chris Reames.
The final came down to Main Beach battling Victoria Beach, but Main Beach came up short against a team led by Ryan Meehan, a Long Beach State volleyball star blocker and Sam Burgi, a UCLA Volleyball outside hitter.

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Serving a big floater with the wind
The Hotel Laguna partnered with the Laguna Open to host a Beach Club on their deck and sand throughout the tournament weekend. Food and drink was available for the players, tournament sponsors and VIPs and the general public.
It appeared that most attendees enjoyed the local Laguna vibe.
Here is a complete list of the winners from this year’s tournament.
Women/ Prize Money/Rating Earned
1 Jessica Gaffney & Savvy Simo, $3,500, AAA
2 Annika Rowland & Teegan Van Gunst, $2,000, AAA
3 Terese Cannon & Molly Turner, $1,000, AAA
3 Cecilia Agraz & Iya Lindahl, $1,000, AAA
5 Katie Lindstrom & Lauren Deturk, $500, AA
5 Lindsey Fuller & Jae-Lyn Visscher, $500, AA
7 Deketa Stubblefield & Monique Morris, A
7 Deveney Pula & Samantha Parrish, A
9 Heather Friesen & Kristen Petrasic
9 Brooke Birch & Susie Packard
9 Avery Bush & Camie Anne Manwill
9 Briana Hinga & Kathrin Winkler
13 Kyra Zaengle & Elena Fisher
13 McKala Rhodes & Maddie Hills
13 Isabella Giarla & Ruby Hill
13 Anne McArthur & Josie Schatz
Men/Prize Money/Rating Earned
1 Logan Webber & Seain Cook, $3,500, AAA
2 Andy Benesh & Billy Allen, $2,000, AAA
3 Avery Drost & Chase Frishman, $1,000, AAA
3 Kyle Friend & David Lee, $1,000, AAA
5 Theo Brunner & Paul Lotman, $500, AA
5 Cody Caldwell & Brian Wells, $500, AA
7 Ryan Meehan & Cole Aidnik, A
7 Kevin Villela & Alexander Biz, A
9 John Schwengel & Jake Dietrich
9 Jaemin Ragsdale & Andrew Dentler
9 Leor Schiffer & Dasmen Stewart
9 Bryce Mayer & William Price
13 Scott Cronick & Daniel Newman
13 Sean Dennis & Diego Perez
13 Grant Friedman & Corey Chavers
13 Larry Weng & Jay Panther
17 Charlie Porter & Clark Porter JR
17 Mitchell Keddie & Manning Lemoine
17 Andor Gyulai & Daniel Stevens
17 Brian Leonard & Kendall Ratter
17 Clark Steele & Jordan Hoppe
17 Wil Aleman & James Norley
DNF Timothy Brewster & Travis Mewhirter
17 Raffe Paulis & Earl Schultz
25 Anthony Popoca & Jordan Walley
25 Joshua Friedman & Cash Adamsen
25 Skyler Kaufman & Martin Krasuski
25 Steven Monroe & Landon Monroe
25 Brian Montoya & Ellis Walsh
25 Justin Sandy & Jonathan Low
25 Shane Collins & Taylor Storm

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The tournament drew huge crowds to Main Beach