Cold Snap Chills Beach Tournament

Katie Rutherford (left) and Jordan Smith (right) huddle under blankets during a break in action at the Arizona Region's first in-season beach volleyball tournament of the season. Photo courtesy of Arizona Region

Phoenix, Ariz., is often a mecca for northern snowbirds who want warm temperatures during the brutal winters. Likewise, beach volleyball is one of the many outdoor activities in warm weather climates.

However, the conditions in which the Arizona Region's first in-season beach volleyball tournament held Jan. 21 at Victory Lanes Sports Complex in Phoenix was anything but warm.

When the 16s division finished up at 5:30 p.m., and Anna Gott and Betsi Metter had topped Katie Rutherford and Jordan Smith for the gold medal, the temperature was 43 degrees with a wind chill of 36 degrees! Not your ideal conditions for playing beach volleyball.

Nonetheless, 12 teams battled a washout in the morning pool and came back in the afternoon for two good sunny hours before the skies grew dark and menacing.

Dustin Odorcic and Brandon Hobson took the 12-14s Boys' division by downing J.T. and Drew Hatch in the final.

Hannah Brown and Sydney Schumacher took the gold in the girls' 12s divison.

Alex Wilcoxen and Sydney Butler won the 14s division topping Lauren Betlach and Kate McFarland in the nail-biting final, 24-22.