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June 7, 2007

Atlanta hosts world-class volleyball
City has loved the sport since 1996 Olympics
By Robert Falkoff / AVP.com

ATLANTA — There's something special about the AVP Crocs Tour stop in
Atlanta. It was just 11 years ago that Atlanta opened its arms to the world
and hosted the Olympics Games. The fans saw great volleyball players then
and will see more of them this weekend at the $200,000 AVP Atlanta Open.

"Atlanta is a great city, period," said AVP women's fixture Tyra Turner, who
comes to the Deep South as a No. 2 seed with partner Rachel Wacholder. "With
the people here being exposed to the sport of volleyball in the 1996
Olympics, that means a lot. Once you see volleyball at such a high level and
get to be around it, you love it.

"Having the opportunity to see our players as we get closer to another
Olympics is something I think can make people here want to come out."

Karch Kiraly, who will compete in the men's main draw, which commences on
Friday, won a Gold Medal with partner Kent Steffes at the Atlanta games.

On the rise?: When the eighth-seeded team of Russ Marchewka and Eyal Zimet
emerged from the qualifier in Atlanta and claimed one of four spots
available for the main draw, Marchewka saw it as a sign of good things to
come.

"We've only practiced together twice," Marchewka said. "We're starting to
understand each other's game more and more. We're picking up on each other's
tendencies."

Marchewka and Zimet decided to form a tandem going into the Louisville stop.
This is their third tournament together.

"Eyal is a phenomenal player," Marchewka said. "We have a blast out there
and we're going to be together for awhile."

One year ago: Most of the players on the AVP circuit probably paid scant
attention to the fact that Major League Baseball held its First-Year Player
Draft on Thursday. But for Brittany Hochevar, it was the one-year
anniversary of a special day in the lives of her family.

Luke Hochevar, the brother of Brittany, was the No. 1 overall selection in
the 2006 draft. He is now pitching for the Kansas City Royals' Double-A team
in Wichita.

Brittany Hochevar is looking to make her own mark in sports. She and partner
Keao Burdine are seeded 16th heading into the main draw of the Atlanta Open.
If Hochevar and Burdine win their opening match on Friday, they would meet
No. 1-seeded Misty May-Trainor and Kerri Walsh.

Representing Atlanta: Bryan Gibson of Atlanta had some thrills in his
hometown during Thursday's men's qualifier, but the party didn't last all
day.

Gibson and partner Keith Jones were seeded No. 9 and won their first match
over Chad Borton and Richard Rainwater, 23-21, 21-16. But then Gibson and
Jones were defeated by Marchewka and Zimet 22-20, 21-16.

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