VOLLEYBALL : Timmons’ Team Wins One as Best in U.S. Get Together

The beach volleyball season is over, but the boys of the beach have merely moved indoors.

Some of them, anyway, have joined forces with members and ex-members of the national team to compete in team cup volleyball, a round-robin tournament worth $110,000.

“It’s a chance for all of us to keep the sport visible,” said Karch Kiraly, one of the best to play the game indoors or out. “It’s a way to make a little extra money, to compete and have a good time.”

It’s also a chance to watch the beach team of Sinjin Smith and Randy Stoklos on opposite sides of the net, and to see players such as Jeff Stork and Jon Root, Bob Ctvrtlik and Craig Buck, and other notable talents not familiar on the sand.

Thursday marked the beginning of the six-night event, which culminates with the final Sept. 23.

Team Toyota, captained by Stork and featuring Smith, Mike Dodd and indoor specialists Root and Pat Powers, was victorious in the first match, defeating Team Paul Mitchell, 30-26, 30-19.

Games are to 30, with points awarded on each rally until a team reaches 27, when a sideout rule goes into effect.

Dodd led the team in kills with nine, Smith in digs with seven.

In the second match, Steve Timmons’ Team Redsand defeated Kiraly’s Team Scott Hawaii, 31-29, 30-24.

Kiraly’s team strategy--setting to Kiraly on the left side of the net--was effective. He had 17 kills to lead all players.

Troy Tanner, who recently quit the national team to join Kiraly and Timmons for a season in Italy, collectively worth upward of $1 million, had eight kills and 11 digs in the losing cause.

Play will continue Sunday.