2007

Current 2007 Open Standings

MEN
WOMEN
Marcos Macau
1
Capri Hilgendorf
1
Keawe Adolpho
2
Alev Tugcu
2
Tyler Lesneski
T3
Amy Castro
3
Jeff Solar
T3
Brooke Langston
T4
Adrian Carambula
5
Chara Harris
T4
Steve VanZwieten
6
Brandi Tenlen
T6
Justin Phipps
7
Raquel Beson
T6
Roger Corbett
8
Kendra Jackson
8
Mike DiPierro
9
Cindy Phillips
9
Leonardo Lunardi
10
Kristy Hartley
10

Click on the division for complete standings:
Men Open | Women Open (Adobe PDF File)

The Top 10 Women 2006

1. Shayna Munson - Was a very competitive indoor volleyball player originally from Temperance, Michigan. She received an athletic scholarship for volleyball at Eastern Michigan University. After 24 years of living in Michigan and 13 years of indoor, she decided to move down to Fort Lauderdale and take up beach volleyball. “I love the game, love my partner, enjoy the atmosphere on the beach and I have respect for the people running the tour.” For the 2007 season she “will continue playing with her fabulous partner Michelle, and continue making memories! YYEEEESSSS!!!”

2. Michelle DeSantis - began playing volleyball in the 7th grade. She received both athletic and academic scholarships to attend Barry University in Miami Shores. Michelle led her team to the National Championships three years, winning the Division II title and a second place once as well. In 2007, Michelle hopes to continue to grow as a player and continue to entertain others with her dance moves on the court.

3. Chara Harris - Was co-captain of the GVSU Volleyball team, leading them to three Final Four Finishes. She received GLIAC All Region and Academic All American Honors for 2 consecutive years. The 26 year old grew up in Grand Blanc, MI, before moving down to Florida to teach biology. She lists her highlights of the 2006 season as, “being able to play with so many talented and fun players on a great series.”

4. Tara Kuk – Is from Sarasota, Florida. She was a dual sport athlete in High School playing both basketball and volleyball. Tara was an All American at Pasco Hernando CC and player of the year her senior year at Jacksonville University (TAAC Conference). She earned an Education Degree from Jacksonville University and is now a Phys. Ed Teacher and Varsity Coach at Palm Harbor Univ. High School.

5. Franci Van Zwieten – Is a fourth grade teacher who grew up in Michigan and moved to Naples, Florida at age 13. She played four years of Varsity volleyball in high school and was rated all-state player. She also played Varsity basketball and softball with a team that won state championships twice. She won the National Championship in 1996, 2003, and 2004.

6. Capri Hilgendorf - attended Northwood University where she was a triple major in Marketing, Advertising, and Business Administration. The Title Insurance agent, was a member of the Northwood University Volleyball team. While attending Lake Worth Community High School, Capri received MVP all four years. She also received All Conference for three years, and the Champions of Character Award. She enjoys playing in the series because of the “strong competition, I’ve met a number of good people, made some great friends, the ZEPHYRHILLS water is fantastic, the tournaments are run well, and I usually find myself enjoying the Players Parties.”

7. Morgan Flarity - is a medical diagnostics representative from Sarasota, Florida. She attended the University of South Alabama (where her mother also played volleyball and the stadium is named after her grandfather) on a full scholarship for volleyball . The 23 year old would like to win a tournament and finish at least in the semifinals every time.

8. Teri Van Dyke - Started her volleyball career at age 12, and went on to play with the Junior Olympics team that traveled to Canada. She received a college scholarship to play Division I volleyball, and numerous awards, honors and recognition. Van Dyke was runner-up to be Illinois “Player of Decade” in volleyball from 1980-1990.

9. Raquel “Roc” Beson – attended SVSU in Saginaw, Michigan where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education. Attending Pinconnin High School in Michigan, Raquel received All Conference, All Region, and All State honors in Volleyball and Track. The now 2nd Grade teacher continued her successful athletic career in college earning All Conference and All Region Honors as a collegiate volleyball player. She was also MVP of the Mankato State University Tournament and MVP of Northeastern Illinois.

10. Alex Sevillano - is a native of Clearwater, Florida and is 25 years old. She recently graduated from Stetson University College of Law and is not attempting to pass the bar. She went to Clearwater High School, where she played volleyball and went undefeated and won state in 1998. Thereafter, Alex went to FSU and walked on to their volleyball team. Her last three years there she earned an athletic scholarship, was the starting outside hitter, and was co-captain. After she graduated she went to Spain to play volleyball in the Canary Islands.

The Top 10 Men 2006

1. Doug Nascimento – from Deerfield Beach, played in every tournament last season and is the 2006 Spaulding King of the Beach Points winner.

2. Jim VanZwieten – A recent father, Is a Pompano Beach resident and is working towards a PhD. in Ocean Engineering at Florida Atlantic University. Jimmy loves playing volleyball and has high expectations heading into the season, as he’s been training hard at the FAST program and is in better shape than he has been in years.

3. Tyler Lesneski – Grew up in Michigan, and was active in soccer, basketball, baseball, and tennis in high school. While attending Western Michigan University, he played tennis and graduated with a degree in business sales and marketing. He expects to win a few tournaments and qualify for the AVP.

4. Steve Grotowski - Won the 2006 Miami Beach National Championship for the third time. Steve was born in England and grew up in Ft. Lauderdale. He has also been a junior’s indoor volleyball coach for the past few years.

5. Steve VanZwieten – Attended Lindenwood University where he was a member of the indoor volleyball team and an All-American swimmer. The now electrical contractor was a first team all county player out of Cardinal Gibbons High School. Taking his game to the beach Steve was a four time Jr. Olympic champion. As a member of the Jr. National beach team for four years he represented the USA in four Jr. World championships (5th place in France 2001, 4th place in Australia 2001, 17th place France 2003 and 17th place in Portugal 2004). In 2004, Steve and his younger brother became the youngest team ever to win a match on the FIVB Olympic qualifying tour by placing 17th in the Puerto Rico open.

6. Jeff Soler – as a collegiate player, was an All-American at Lewis University where he led his team to a NCAA National Championship in 2003. He now spends his time in the classroom as a Psychology teacher at Boca Raton High School and is also a high school and club volleyball coach. The 24 year old, hopes to win as many tournaments as he can while staying injury free. “I like playing in this particular series because it is very supportive of its players. I always feel welcomed and can expect a good level of competition each tournament.”

7. Leon Lucas – a construction worker, is originally from Pemberton NJ. In High School Leon was a standout basketball player. This led him over seas where he played professional basketball. He lists his 2007 series goals and making the finals and winning at least one. His greatest volleyball memory was the “first time winning an open event in NJ. Great feeling considering I was never coached.”

8. Mark VanZwieten - Played volleyball for Cardinal Gibbons High School. The 19-year old, is looking to win the 2007 National Championships, after finishing as the runner-up last season. His most memorable volleyball memories are placing second in the 2005 Under 19 Junior World Championships, qualifiying last year for the AVP, and coming in second at last year’s Nationals. Mark likes playing in the Zephyrhills™ Dig the Beach Series because “It is a great set up and good prize money… It is the best tour in Florida.”

9. Mike DiPierro - a teacher at Cardinal Gibbons High School, grew up playing in the series. He attended Lindenwood University where he was a 2x First Team All-American. Mike’s 2007 series goals are to play the best he can and to win a fourth National Championship. Mike’s best Volleyball memory is winning his first National Championship with his brother in 2003. “No one gave us a chance with all the teams flying in from out of state, but we came out on top.”

10. Michael Folstein - A loan officer and full time father, rounds out the 2006 point leaders. After graduating from Melbourne High School, Mike attended UCF where he received a degree in Finance. Folstein was an All-American from 1995-1997. His greatest volleyball memory is “meeting my wife at Clearwater Beach during the tour’s National Championships, 2001.”