Kirby and Masakayan Advance in Hermosa Beach Volleyball

Karolyn Kirby and Liz Masakayan, winners of five of six pro beach volleyball tournaments this year, were in top form Saturday at the Hermosa Beach Open.

The top-seeded team was virtually untested, giving up a total of 13 points over three matches.

Kirby and Masakayan started the day with a 15-0 victory over No. 32 Carolyn Hueth and Ann Windes. In the second round, they beat Kengelin Gardiner and Christine Schaefer, 15-8, and they ended the afternoon with a 15-5 victory over the ninth-seeded team of Heather Hafner and Shannon Millen.

“The sand was deep and hot and we’re not used to it,” Masakayan said. “But once we got our serves going, we really felt confident.”

Kirby and Masakayan will play fourth-seeded Elaine Roque and Gail Castro in today’s winners’ bracket semifinal at 9:30 a.m.

Castro and Roque have struggled recently but regrouped for two easy victories (15-2, 15-3) in the early rounds and a 15-9 quarterfinal decision over fifth-seeded Dennie Knoop and Ali Johnson. “Our problem was mental,” Roque said. “So we spent more time with our sports psychologist.”

Today’s other semifinal will feature third-seeded Janice Harrer and Deb Richardson against second-seeded Barbra Fontana and Lori Kotas. Harrer and Richardson were nearly upset by sixth-seeded Wendy Fletcher and Marla O’Hara in the quarterfinals. With the score tied, 13-13, Harrer-Richardson got two consecutive points for the victory.