BEACH VOLLEYBALL : Recovered Masakayan Teams With Kirby to Win at Hermosa

One day after complaining that her confidence was at an all-time low, Liz Masakayan teamed with Karolyn Kirby to upset top-seeded Holly McPeak and Nancy Reno, 15-10, to win the $40,000 Hermosa Beach Open.

“This is the best match and the best tournament Liz has had this season,” Kirby said.

Masakayan had reconstructive knee surgery six months ago and hadn’t been in full stride since returning on April 22 for the second tournament of the 1995 season, in Austin, Tex.

She finally looked in top form in Hermosa Beach, however. In the championship match she had 11 kills, seven service winners and four digs.

Kirby had a match-high 13 kills and eight service winners. Seeded third in the 32-team event, Masakayan and Kirby made numerous spectacular plays and caused many long rallies. They will split the $9,400 first-place prize, and McPeak-Reno will divide $7,000.

“That’s the best I’ve ever seen them play,” said McPeak, who has teamed with Reno to win three of seven pro beach events in ’95. “They both served really well and we were out of sync.”

The teams exchanged leads until Masakayan-Kirby broke a 10-10 tie when Masakayan served for three consecutive points. Kirby served an ace to go up, 14-10, and Reno-McPeak fought off four match points before Kirby drilled a shot down the line past Reno.

The team of Barbra Fontana and Lori Forsythe placed third.