The Dig the Beach Series presented by Winn Dixie concluded its season this past weekend with it’s National Championships taking place in no other then Miami Beach. The tournament featured nearly 190 teams from around the country, as well as, a few internationally. The final tournament of the season featured teams coming in all the way from Brazil and Puerto Rico. With a $10,000 prize purse teams flocked to South Beach to take home the huge cash purse.

The Men’s Open featured the most teams in the history of the Dig the Beach Series. 40 teams competed in the two day event, showing off some serious skill. Each and every round was a fight and showed how deep and competitive the tournament was. Emerging into the semi finals for the men featured #4 seeded Adrian Carambula and Jake Elliot against #15 JD Christy and Marcos Macau. In a back and forth match Adrian and Jake landed themselves in the final. The other half of the bracket featured #2 seeded Mark VanZwieten and Mike DiPierro against the #20 seeded Brazilian team of Rhonney Ferramenta and Fabio Guerra. In another action packed match, heavily favored DiPierro and VanZwieten fell to the Brazilians. The team from Brazil faced the opponents that had defeated them in the earlier rounds, sending them to the loser bracket. With some incredible action, Rhonney and Fabio avenged their earlier loss and took home the National Championship and the prize purse.

The women featured an 18 team field taking their finals into Sunday’s tournament action. Reaching semi finals were the #12 Rebecca and Olaya Pazo vs #2 Kelly Haan and Raquel Beson. The Pazos proved to be too strong upsetting the #1 and #2 seeded teams on their way to the National Finals. The other half of the bracket featured #3 Megan Wallin and Chara Harris vs #5 Dana Fiume and Shayna Munson. In a great match Shayna and Dana emerged with the win. Once again, in another rematch, Shayna and Dana had an opportunity to upend the team that had beaten them earlier. In a fantastic match, Shayna and Dana did just that, taking home the Dig the Beach Series National Title.

After an action packed day at the beach players were treated to the Corona Extra Player’s Party at Finnegan’s Way. The festivities did not end here. When in South Beach, you must experience the biggest and best. The after player’s party took place at LIV night club. One of the most premier night clubs in all of South Beach, if you were there you’d know why…

We would also like to extend congratulations to all series National Champions, as well as, all those who came out to participate. Winning the men’s divisions were; Gio Delevry and Matt Carlock, Craig Beam and Ryan Lengerich, Dave Palm and Jay Feldman, Ryckur Schetter and Patrick Callahan. Winning the women’s divisions were; Stephanie Pellitteri and Leigh Andrews, Kasia Jimenez and Melody Garza, Saina Abdell and Katelyn Rawls, Caroline LaTorre and Nicolette Barnes. Claiming championships in the Junior divisions were; Thandwe Kngwa and Brianna Marazzi, Tori Penrod and Sophia Servideo, Mary Martinez and Kristen Cope, Stephanie Pellitteri and Leigh Andrews, Eric Butt and Ian Houlihan. Last but not least our co-ed champions; Jim O’Brien and Tiffany Snow, Jeff Gahan and Olaya Pazo, William Artega and Pearl Keane, and Kevin and Emily Code.

The Dig the Beach Series is gaining national recognition as one of the premier tournament series. With record breaking participant numbers, we thank you the athletes for supporting your local tour and turning heads at the national level. We look forward to seeing you out on the beach next year for another successful beach volleyball season. Stay tuned for feature events at www.digthebeach.com.