Media Releases

Once again, the Annual Crocs MotherLode Volleyball Classic, held this past Labor Day Weekend in Aspen, Colorado, lived up to its reputation as being able to provide an Event with outstanding levels of competition and fun. But Event Producer Leon Fell may take it a step further when he states that “In the 26 years that I have been producing The ‘Lode, this may be the best that I have seen. I don’t mean that in “the largest”; but, “the Best”. I don’t remember having as big of a smile on my face after this Event as I had this year. The energy, and excitement, flowing throughout the town of Aspen over this past weekend was incredible. And, the crowds at the Main Championship Courts at Koch Lumber Park were just electric. They were a rowdy, knowledgeable, group of spectators who seemed to delight in every team’s play no matter what level of play was going on the courts.”

This sentiment seems to be echoed by many of the players participating in this year’s Tourney including Women’s Open players Angela Knopf and Catie Mintz (finished tied for 3^rd) as Knopf reiterates that “it’s such a fun weekend filled with competition and community”. As well, “The MotherLode is a volleyball party” says Mintz “where you have that old style feel with the spectators sitting up so close instead of in the grandstands.” Even stoic Steve Salmons (1984 Olympic Gold Medalist and winner of this year’s 45-over division) took time to take in the beauty of the area: “I loved being on the north side of the Championship Courts where I could see Aspen Mountain. It is a perfect location. This is a highlight of my career.”

Although it seems to be an unlikely place for a beach doubles volleyball tournament, this year’s Crocs MotherLode Volleyball Classic served up ample portions of competition and fun as 531 teams from all over the United States made the annual trek to the mountains of Colorado.

On the competition side, the Midwest and Southwest seemed to dominate the amateur (grass) divisions while the teams from the Pacific Coast Highway battled it out on the sand courts. Teams from Nebraska, Colorado, Iowa, and New Mexico claimed the majority of the grass division Titles. With Nebraskans taking the lion’s share with four Championships (Men’s A, Women’s A, Co-Ed A, and Co-
Ed B).

At the Main Championship sand courts, the competition was the most balanced it has been in years as the fans were treated to tight matches and inspired play in every division, from Women’s Masters all the way up to the Men’s and Women’s Open play. Although teams from the beach volleyball “hotbed” of California captured most of the Titles, there was one notable exception: In the Men’s Masters (37-over) division, which was a veritable listing of who’s who in the past volleyball world, Jeff Pheffer of Kansas City, Missouri and his partner Matt Akromis of Denver, Colorado shocked everyone by roaring through the 32 team field behind the phenomenal leaping ability of Akromis and the outstanding blocking of Pheffer to defeat Steve Salmons/Kenny Lentin of San Diego, California in the finals.

In the Men’s and Women’s Open divisions, the play was spirited and tough as teams from all over the country battled it out for that coveted Crocs MotherLode baseball cap that signifies the winners of each division. The Women’s Open turned out to be well seeded as the top four seeds made up the final four finishers with the California team of Chrissie Zartman (Redondo Beach, California) and Sara Dukes (Huntington Beach, California) coming out on top as the diminutive Zartman (all 5’3” of her) continued to Wow! the crowd (as she had throughout the Tourney) with her incredible defensive quickness combined with Dukes raw power at the net to, finally, shut down the indomitable spirit of Denverites Dawn Tischauser and Deb Ponis in the Finals to bring home the Championship. The Men’s Open was no less exciting as a multitude of AVP Pro Beach Tour qualifiers beat each other up for three days before last year’s Men’s Open Champion, Ivan Mercer (of Manhattan Beach, California), playing with Eyal Zimet (Honolulu, Oahu, Hawai’i) outlasted former Denverite Vince Robbins and Adam Roberts (Myrtle Beach, South Carolina) for the Title.

CALIFORNIANS TAKE A BACKSEAT AS 5 DIVISIONS FINISH PLAY AT THE CROCS MOTHERLODE!

Saturday’s play at the 35^th Annual Crocs MotherLode Volleyball Classic saw 5 different teams claim MotherLode championships as the Co-Ed Divisions, delayed by rain on Friday evening, finished their playoffs as well as the traditional Saturday finals in the Men’s Masters (37-over).

The Men’s Master’s finals provided the crowd with plenty of excitement and entertainment as former U.S.A. National Team member and 1984 gold medalist Steve Salmons and his partner, Kenny Lentin gave the eventual winners Jeff Pheffer (Kansas City, Missouris) and Matt Akromis (Denver, Colorado) all they could handle in a thrilling match that was close all the way. Salmons, and Lentin, who are from San Diego, California, won the Men’s Seniors 45’s on the ‘Lode’s opening day, Thursday. But they just didn’t have enough left to overcome the relatively younger team from the Midwest as Pheffer and Akromis finally took home the Championship (and, an automatic bid in late September’s U.S. Open of Beach Volleyball to be held in Huntington Beach, California) winning both games of the best-two-out-of-three match, 21-19, 22-20.

In Co-Ed action, which was delayed till Saturday morning due to rain, there was plenty of good competition despite the abbreviated format (one game to 21 points) that was necessitated after the suspension of play the previous evening:

The “main draw” began play on Saturday as the Men’s and Women’s Open, A, BB, and B divisions started competition on courts all over Aspen. Play will continue through the elimination rounds on Sunday with the finals in the amateur (grass) divisions scheduled for Monday morning on Labor Day, at 9 a.m. in Wagner Park. The Men’s and Women’s Open will continue elimination round through Monday afternoon with their finals scheduled for 3 and 4 p.m. in the afternoon.

35th Annual Crocs MotherLode Volleyball Classic

August 30 – September 3, 2007

Aspen, Colo. August 31, 2007

MotherLode Honors Former Tournament Director

Men’s Master Play Begins With Upsets

Aspen, Colo. – At 2 PM today, play at the 35^th annual Crocs MotherLode Volleyball Classic at Koch Lumber Park, halted to honor former tournament director, Tim Weiand from Denver, CO. Tim passed away this last April. Tim was the tours head tournament director for 24 years, from 1982 – 2005. A plaque with Tim’s name was placed at center court. Also, sand from various courts where Tim was director, was brought to center court as another tribute to him. Sand from Lakewood Park, CO; Garland Park, CO; Vail, CO; The Lift, Glendale, CO and other Aspen courts were added to center court.

With the deepest field ever, upsets were common in the Men’s Masters field, for players 37 years and older. The eighth seed, Jeff Pheffer from Kansas City, KS and Matt Akromis, from Denver, CO upset the number one seed, Randy Meador and Jim Nichols, 21 – 13 and 21 – 15, in quarter final action. Pheffer/Akromis then followed that upset, with another one, beating the fifth seed, Vince Vandermey and Mike Vernon both from New Mexico, in semi-final action. In the other semi-final action, sixth seed Steve Salmons from and Kenny Lentin both from San Diego CA beat the second seed, Tom Witt and Dan Lafontaine both from AZ, 21 – 16 and 30 – 28. For Salmons/Lentin their victory was the 11 match between yesterday and today. Salmons/Lentin won the Men’s Senior 45 title yesterday.

Matt Akromis, part of the eighth seed that upset the first and fifth seeds is playing in his second Masters tournament. “We played Meador and Nichols straight up,” said the Denver player. Meador/Nichols are a great team, they dig everything. However we had a height advantage, so we just played tall.” Akromis has been playing in the MotherLode since 1993 and his highest finish has been a 7^th place.

Finals of the Men’s Masters will be played at approximately noon tomorrow at Koch Lumber Park.

For more information regarding the 35^th Annual Crocs MotherLode Volleyball Classic, please visit www.motherlodevolleyball.com

Aspen, Colo. - Three titles were decided on this first day of the 35^th Annual Crocs MotherLode Volleyball Classic, being held in Aspen, CO from August 30, 2007 – September 3, 2007. California players won all three divisions decided today.

In the Men’s Senior 45 years and older division, Kenny Lentin and Steve Salmons, both from San Diego, CA won the title. Salmons was a 1984 Olympic Gold Medalist in Los Angeles Games. He was participating in his first MotherLode, although he’s watched the action before. “This is the best setting in the world” said Steve. “I loved being on the north side of the court, so I could see the mountains, it is the perfect location. This is a highlight in my career!” said the former Olympian. Lentin/Salmons defeated Dan Lafontaine, Huntington Beach, CA and Jon-Reno St. James from Santa Cruz, CA, 21 – 16 and 21 – 9 in the title match. Lentin/Salmons win means an automatic qualifying in the U.S. Beach Volleyball Open, September 21 – 23^rd, in Huntington Beach, CA later this year.

Also wining a title were Packy Jones, from Thousand Oaks, CA and Eric Anderson, Saratoga, CA in the Men’s Senior 50 year old division. They defeated Jon Lee, Santa Barbara, CA and Jon Hastings, San Luis Obispo, CA 21- 12 and 21 – 16 in the finals. Hastings is publisher of Dig Volleyball Magazine and announcer at the MotherLode. “I love the MotherLode said Hastings accepting his prizes, one being a western cowboy hat. “I use to break quarter-horses in my younger day and I’m a square dance caller, so the cowboy hat is perfect” said the author, announcer and bronco-buster. This was Anderson’s sixth MotherLode championship in his career.

In the Women’s Senior 45’s division, Jackie Campbell, Santa Barbara, CA and Ilga Celmins, from Santa Cruz, CA won the last title of the day. Campbell/Celmins defeated, Kathy Lawless from Parker, CO and Kris Bredehoft, Englewood, CO who just moved to Aspen today, in a double final, 21- 14 and 21-10 and then had to beat them again 25 – 12 in the final match, since they came through the loser bracket. “We had to play seven matches today, it was quite a workout,” said Campbell. “Last week, I took second place in a 7-mile paddle boat race at Lake Tahoe, so I’m in decent shape. The paddle boat, race only took me 2 hours; today I started at 11 AM and didn’t finish the final match until 6:30 PM” said the winner. Finishing in third place was last year winners, Sammatha Meador and Julie McGarr, both from Houston, TX.

For more information regarding the 35^th Annual Crocs MotherLode Volleyball Classic, please visit www.motherlodevolleyball.com

Aspen, Colo. – The 35^th Annual Crocs MotherLode Volleyball Classic, the largest doubles volleyball event in America, kicks off this Thursday with over 700 teams expected to participate. Teams cover the majority of the 50 states with some international players are also expected to compete.

Thursday, August 30, 2007 action opens with the Women Masters (35 over) and Men’s Seniors (45 and 50 over) divisions, with these champions crowned on the same day. The finals are expected to start around 6 PM at Koch Lumber Park.

Last year, Denver teams placed 2^nd and 3^rd in the Women’s Masters, behind Samantha Meador and Julie McGarr both from Houston, TX. Kathy Lawless from Denver, CO has placed second two years in a row, with different partners.

In 2006, the Men’s Seniors 45 and older division saw a Santa Cruz, CA team win it all, with Denver, CO team of Kevin Lockwood and Clare Dunning placing third. In 2005, Lockwood and Dunning also placed third.

Last year, the Men’s Seniors 50 and older division, Paul Fair from Denver, won the crown with his partner Mike Fair from Los Angeles, CA. Dave Aikens and Ron Smith both from Denver placed third.

On Friday, Men’s Masters (37-over) play at Koch Lumber Park begins. In 2006, Randy Meador from Houston, TX and Chris Hanneman, Seattle, WA won the title. Also on Friday, Co-ed divisions start, with the finals around 6 PM at Wagner Park.

For more information regarding the 35^th Annual Crocs MotherLode Volleyball Classic, please visit www.motherlodevolleyball.com

Aspen, Colo. – Colorado players headline the 35^th Crocs MotherLode Volleyball Tournament. The Women’s Open emphasizes what is happening in other divisional play at the MotherLode, this year’s tournament will be the toughest ever, but Colorado players will among the favorites.

Catie Vagneur-Mintz from Aspen, CO with her partner Angela Knopf, former All-American at Colorado State University and two time winner of the MotherLode, will be the team to beat in the Women’s Open. Catie, born and raised in Aspen was also an All-American Player at C.S.U. They currently partner on the AVP Volleyball Tour where they are the 17^th ranked women’s team.

“We are bypassing the AVP Cincinnati Open, to play in Catie’s hometown” said Angela. “I will make any excuse to come to Colorado; Aspen is the most gorgeous mountain town I’ve ever seen! It’s such a fun weekend filled with competition and community. A bonus is we’re sponsored by Barefoot Wine this year, so we have to keep the sponsor happy. We hope to celebrate a title, with some of their product” she said.

For Catie, born and raised in Aspen, this is the ultimate event. “This has been my best year playing on the AVP Tour, said Catie. “But I love playing in front of friends and family in Aspen more than anything. My best memory was playing in the snow one year. Although the weather is usually perfect, that year we just put on long-johns, a ski hat and played…. It was a blast! The MotherLode is a volleyball party” said the former Aspenite.

Leading the competition against this Colorado team in the Women’s Open, is Chrissie Zartma and her AVP partner Tiffany Rodriquez. Chrissie, who comes from a family of beach volleyball players, is at 5’ 3”, arguably the most exciting player on the Pro Tour. “Tiffany and I may try and play in both the AVP Open and MotherLode events” said Chrissie. “Last year was my first full year on the AVP tour and we have improved into the main draw at most events this year. However, the MotherLode has such an appeal to us, we keep hearing the word FUN, whenever someone talks about Aspen, the MotherLode and the entire weekend, we just have to be there” said the 5’3” dynamo.

The Men’s Masters, championship held this year on Friday, looks like a veritable who’s who of beach and indoor volleyball with some o f the best players in their age groups coming to participate including the likes of Steve Salmons, former USA Team Member and Olympic Gold Medalist.

Although its namesake, The MotherLode Restaurant and Bar, has been sold, the 35^th Annual MotherLode Volleyball Classic, to be held over Labor Day Weekend in Aspen, Colorado on August 30 – September 3, will continue to remind volleyball fans of the proud heritage that this long-standing tournament represents. Born in 1972 as a backyard barbecue tournament to add excitement to the summer in Aspen, the ‘Lode’ has become one of the top Pro-Am events in the sport, but also the ‘social event of the outdoor season.’ Upwards of 700 teams from all over the country will come to Aspen to celebrate the sport of volleyball in one of North America’s best ski/summer resorts.

MotherLode Volleyball Productions is proud to announce their partnership with Crocs as the Title Sponsor of The Crocs MotherLode Volleyball Classic for 2007. Crocs is the title sponsor of the AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour and their association with the MotherLode event, “is a natural and will put the MotherLode at the next level for this and future years” says the Tournament Producer, Leon Fell.

Thursday, August 30: Women’s Masters (35 over); Men’s Senior’s (45 and 50 over) divisions.

Monday, September 3: Men’s and Women’s B, Men’s and Women’s BB, Men’s and Women’s A, Women’s Open (beach) and Men’s Open (beach).

For more information regarding the 35^th Crocs MotherLode Volleyball Classic, please visit www.motherlodevolleyball.com

Aspen, Colo. – Colorado players headline the 35^th Annual Crocs MotherLode Volleyball Classic to be played over Labor Day weekend in Aspen. The Women’s Open emphasizes what is happening in other divisional play at the Crocs MotherLode Volleyball Classic, this year’s tournament will be the toughest ever, but Colorado players will among the favorites.

Catie Vagneur-Mintz from Aspen, CO with her partner Angela Knopf, former All-American at Colorado State University and two time winner of the Crocs MotherLode Volleyball Classic, will be the team to beat in the Women’s Open. Catie, born and raised in Aspen was also an All-American player at C.S.U. They currently partner on the AVP Volleyball Tour where they are the 17^th ranked women’s team.

For Catie, born and raised in Aspen, the Crocs MotherLode Volleyball Classic is the ultimate event. “This has been my best year playing on the AVP Tour” said Catie. “But I love playing in front of friends and family in Aspen more than anything. My best memory was playing in the snow one year. Although the weather is usually perfect during Labor Day, that year we just put on long-johns, a ski hat and played…. It was a blast! The MotherLode is a volleyball party” said the former Aspenite.

Leading the competition against this Colorado team in the Women’s Open, is Chrissie Zartman and her AVP partner Tiffany Rodriquez. Chrissie, who comes from a family of beach volleyball players, is at 5’ 3”, arguably the most exciting player on the Pro Tour. “Tiffany and I may try and play in both the AVP Open and MotherLode events” said Chrissie. “Last year was my first full year on the AVP tour and we have improved into the main draw at most events this year. However, the MotherLode has such an appeal to us, we keep hearing the word FUN, whenever someone talks about Aspen, the MotherLode and the entire weekend; we just have to be there” said the 5’3” dynamo.

The Men’s Masters, championship held this year on Friday, August 31^st, looks like a veritable who’s who of beach and indoor volleyball with some of the best players in their age groups coming to participate including the likes of Steve Salmons, former USA Team Member and Olympic Gold Medalist.

Although its namesake, The MotherLode Restaurant and Bar no longer exists, the 35^th Annual Crocs MotherLode Volleyball Classic, in Aspen, Colorado on August 30 – September 3, will continue to remind volleyball fans of the proud heritage that this long-standing tournament represents. Born in 1972 as a backyard barbecue tournament to add excitement to the summer in Aspen, the ‘Lode’ has become one of the top Pro-Am events in the sport, but also the ‘social event of the outdoor season.’ Upwards of 700 teams from all over the country will come to Aspen to celebrate the sport of volleyball in one of North America’s best ski/summer resorts.

MotherLode Volleyball Productions is proud to announce their partnership with Crocs as the Title Sponsor of the Crocs MotherLode Volleyball Classic for 2007. Crocs is the title sponsor of the AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour and their association with the MotherLode event, “is a natural and will put the MotherLode at the next level for this and future years” says the Tournament Producer, Leon Fell.

Thursday, August 30: Women’s Masters (35 over); Men’s Senior’s (45 and 50 over) divisions. Finals to be played the same day.

Friday, August 31: Men’s Masters (37-over), finals on Saturday, noon. Co-ed Open, A, BB and B divisions, finals the same day.

Monday, September 3: Men’s and Women’s B, Men’s and Women’s BB, Men’s and Women’s A, Women’s Open (beach) and Men’s Open (beach).

For more information regarding the 35^th Crocs MotherLode Volleyball Classic, please visit www.motherlodevolleyball.com

Thursday, August 30: Women’s Masters (35 over); Men’s Senior’s (45 and 50 over) divisions. Finals to be played the same day.

Friday, August 31: Men’s Masters (37-over), finals on Saturday, noon. Co-ed Open, A, BB and B divisions, finals the same day.

Monday, September 3: Men’s and Women’s B, Men’s and Women’s BB, Men’s and Women’s A, Women’s Open (beach) and Men’s Open (beach).

For more information regarding the 35^th Crocs MotherLode Volleyball Classic, please visit www.motherlodevolleyball.com

MotherLode Volleyball Productions, LLC is happy, and proud, to announce their partnership with Crocs as the Title Sponsor of The Crocs MotherLode Volleyball Classic for 2007. Crocs is the Title Sponsor of the AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour and their association with the venerable Aspen, Colorado “beach” doubles volleyball tournament, held annually over Labor Day Weekend for the past 35 years, “is a natural” says the Tournament’s Producer, Leon Fell. “Crocs’ sponsors the best beach volleyball Tour in North America; why not be involved with the #1 Pro-Am doubles
Event in North America?”

As with their design of footwear, Crocs brings a new dimension to beach volleyball in terms of innovative marketing concepts and ideas. Fell feels that having Crocs on board will help “put us at the next level that we want to be at for future years.”

Born in 1972 as a backyard barbecue tournament to help alleviate the boredom of the end of summer in Aspen, the ‘Lode, as it is called by its loyal participants, has become not only one of the top Pro-Am Events in the sport; but, also, the “social event of the outdoor volleyball season.” Upwards of 700 teams from all over the Country come to Aspen, Colorado to celebrate the sport of beach volleyball with some of the best competition, at all levels of play; to renew old acquaintances; and, to experience the adventure and excitement of one of North America’s best ski/summer resorts.

Fell hopes that the relationship with Crocs will be “an exciting and mutually beneficial one for many years to come.”

For more information regarding the 35^th Annual Crocs’ MotherLode Volleyball Classic, please visit www.motherlodevolleyball.com.

Fell hopes that the relationship with Crocs will be “an exciting and mutually beneficial one for many years to come.”

For more information regarding the 35^th Annual Crocs’ MotherLode Volleyball Classic, please visit www.motherlodevolleyball.com.

The venerable MotherLode Volleyball Classic, held annually over Labor Day Weekend in Aspen, Colorado, for the past 35 years, has always offered the best of beach doubles competition as well as one of the most exciting weekends of the summer. Having steadfastly held to the traditions of “old time” beach volleyball, this year’s ‘Lode will feature more play for the amateur (grass) divisions. The “main draw” (Men’s and Women’s AA, A, BB, and B divisions will play “pool” play on Saturday with all entrants then being “seeded” into a single elimination tournament for Sunday’s play. This will guarantee more time on the court for everyone concerned without eliminating the fun and excitement that surrounds America’s #1 Pro-Am at America’s #1 resort. Finals in all those divisions will, still, be played on Monday, Labor Day.

Sponsor’s notes: MotherLode Volleyball Productions welcomes Barefoot Wine to its elite Sponsor’s list. Barefoot Wine, which is also involved with the AVP Pro Beach Tour, is the fastest growing popular wine brand in America. And, its motto of ‘making wine less serious and more fun’ fits right in with the beach volleyball lifestyle and the overall attitude of the MotherLode Volleyball Classic.

Further note: There will be a short memorial service for long-time Tournament Director, Tim Weiand, who died of a heart attack this past spring. The service will be held at the Main Championship Courts at Koch Lumber Park on Friday afternoon during the Men’s Masters division competition. A plague commemorating Weiand’s 23 years of directing play at The ‘Lode will be placed on Center Court.

As usual, players should get their entries in early as some divisions have limited capacity and fill rapidly. Don’t miss the season ending “social event of the outdoor volleyball season”. For more information regarding registration, lodging, and schedule of Events; WWW.MOTHERLODEVOLLEYBALL.COM.