Despite the fact that the summer book for many of the 49er faithful is “How to Lie With Statistics”, the bottom line for the Beach fan is “The Kids are Alright”.
Two examples from unexpected ends of the height spectrum are: a 6-7 hard-hitting athletic monster in the middle, and a darting and dashing, almost 5-10 backcourt whiz.
That 6-7 Niner of Note is volleyball All American Haleigh Hampton, currently a sophomore at Long Beach State, who scored 14 points with 10 kills and four blocks in a semi final thriller for the U.S. Women’s Junior National Team in their battle against Brazil. The US lost 25-15, 25-19, 20-25, 20-25, 16-14 on Saturday, July 30th in the FIVB Volleyball Women’s Junior World Championships held in Lima, Peru.
Meanwhile, almost at home, the friendly ghost of the Pyramid, Casper Ware, is the hottest name in the college game, just ask the King. LeBron James, and a dozen or so other NBA millionaires played ball with the Big West Player of the Year and were effusive with their praise. Ware shot over, drove around and forced the action in his various summer league outings, and was selected to mentor youngsters at a prestigious high school camp, solidifying the fact that he really is a coach on the floor for the 49ers.
The issue for both the big girl Hampton and the pocket rocket Ware is just that, staying on the floor. Fans of both volleyball and basketball worry that all that extra wear and tear in the summer fun festivals could limit their time and effectiveness during the regular season. “I say shut ‘em both down,” one VIP booster/alum said, worried about the cramping condition of Casper and the toes, ankles, legs, and other lower extremities of Haleigh. Ah, but the kids just want to have fun.
NAMES IN THE NEWS — Hampton is just a sophomore and her team has a busy schedule in the coming weeks. This week marks the beginning of fall practice, followed by a game with their star studded alums on August 21st , then they have four matches in two days in their annual Mizuno Invitational August 26 and 27.
Brazil’s head coach Luizomar de Moura was impressed with Hampton and the rest of the red, white and blue all star assemblage. “Congratulations to USA,” Moura said. “It was a tense and nervous match with many mistakes. Our team has been playing together for four years so there is a strong feeling and this helped us to reach the final.” The Americans meanwhile had those stick-on name tags.
Ware is the lynch pin of a great senior class for basketball boss Dan Monson, who once again will take on very difficult road foes in the likes of North Carolina, Pittsburgh, Kansas and Louisville.
Dirtbags’ next name for their Infielder U is Matt Duffy representing the East Division as an All-Star shortstop for the Cape Cod League. The Cape Cod League is traditionally home to the top collegiate baseball players in the offseason, and Duffy who plays for Orleans stands fifth in the league with a .309 batting average, and has five doubles and a home run over 33 games in the wood-bat league. At the Beach last season he led the Dirtbags in RBI with 31 and earned a second-team All-Big West selection at second base.
Where Are They—Stephanie Streeks, a handsome and hard hitter for the Niner ladies volleyball team (1994-97) is out in the real world and doing fine. Her knees cut short any post college play but they don’t hinder her success in selling product, first for Gallo wine and now one of those (legal) boutique drug companies.
Ladies hoop mistress Jody Wynn sort of bemoaned the effort of some of her team but hedged her bet. “Obviously, I don’t mean all my players, and that’s not even the case any longer,” she said. “Karina Figueroa was as competitive a player as I’ve ever coached. Ally Wade was, too. And so was Courtney Jacobs last season.” The question is will her lone senior this fall, Tipesa Moorer, get some of the fighting 49er genes needed to get the team back over .500.
Former Niner Kirk Singer (out of locally famous Los Al High) has been playing for the State College Spikes of the Class Single A New York-Penn League. He tied a team record with two triples, including the game-winner in the eighth inning. Singer, who played shortstop last year as a junior at Long Beach State, was drafted in the 29th round by Pittsburgh. He is currently hitting .217 but is hitting .305 at home.
Our should be weekly Misty May mention is that she and Keri Walsh picked up fifth place hardware and $13,200 over the weekend in Poland, and celebrated her 34th birthday as well. The London Plan is still in good order and her career money win is over $2 million and about the same earned in endorsements and fees. According to our local Misty May-niac, Steve Clapp , her next tourney is in her favorite country, Austria.
The Pyramid gym has been open for the college and pro guys to stay in shape and recently James Harden of the OKC Thunder was in the big blue pointed house, much to the delight of Monson and has coaching staff.
We close with greetings to two new staffers. Women’s Volleyball head coach Brian Gimmillaro has announced the addition of Rob Koehler to the coaching staff for the 2011 season as the team’s volunteer assistant coach.
Koehler has spent the last seven years coaching in some capacity, most recently working as a volunteer assistant coach for the women’s volleyball program at Marquette. He also spent one season as the head coach for the boy’s team at Waukesha West High School in Wisconsin.
Andy Read meanwhile has added the Popeye looking ex-49er Chris Seiffert as an assistant coach. “I am extremely excited to have Chris Seiffert back with LBSU men’s volleyball as an assistant coach,” Read said. “In the past decade, Chris has played at the top of the volleyball world, first with Team USA and then with various professional teams in Europe. He brings an incredible amount of experience and passion to our program, which our players are definitely going to benefit from.”
Seiffert was a four-year starting setter at LBSU from 1997-2000. He was a three-time AVCA All-American and earned NCAA All-Tournament honors in 1999 when he led the 49ers to the championship match. Oh yeah, he has the guns that should set a high standard for the incoming freshmen. Meanwhile I going on a break again with my new gal pal Flo from Progressive Insurance. Back at ya’ when the mood strikes.
– DR. DAN