VOLLEYBALL : MVP Sato’s Play Steals the Spotlight From Timmons

Although volleyball is usually thought of as a game featuring tremendous kills and spikes, it was the solid defense of Team Coca-Cola that led to its 30-24, 28-30, 11-7 victory over Team Toyota before 7,107 at the Forum on Sunday night.

Three-time Olympian Steve Timmons led Team Coca-Cola with eight kills and six blocks and Craig Buck had 10 blocks, six of them coming during the final game.

But it was a person the crowd may not have been as familiar with, Eric Sato, who was voted MVP of the game because of his inspiring play, which included 12 kills and eight digs. Sato was voted MVP of the tournament.

“I’ve always just gone out there and done my job without worrying about credit,” Sato said after the match. “Believe me, the other guys know who I am.”

Team Cup Volleyball, now in its seventh season, utilizes a faster scoring system. The first team to 30 points wins the game; however, points are not won in the manner usually associated with volleyball. Instead of a team winning a point on its serve only, a point is given to the winning team at the end of each rally. When one team reaches 27 points, scoring reverts to the traditional sideout format. The match is best two out of three, with the third game played to 11 points.

In the consolation final, Team Paul Mitchell overcame a shaky start to defeat Foot Locker A.C., 26-30, 30-28, 11-8.

Bob Samuleson, also a member of the 1992 Olympic Team, led Team Paul Mitchell with six kills and seven blocks.

Samuelson started the evening slowly. Two of his first three serves went long but his play improved after he reacted angrily to a referee’s call midway through the first game.

The referee called Samuelson for touching the net on a blocking attempt to which Samuelson responded by doing a fine impersonation of a placekicker and depositing the ball 12 rows into the loge section.

“I get a little emotional,” Samuelson said to the crowd.

Adam Johnson led Foot Locker A.C. with 13 kills and was voted MVP of the opening match.