Kirby and Rock Advance to Semifinals in Beach Volleyball

Karolyn Kirby and Angela Rock won three opening-round matches Saturday and advanced to today’s semifinals of the $40,000 Evian Women’s Pro Beach Volleyball tournament at Belmont Shore in Long Beach.

Kirby and Rock, who have won 17 titles together, will play Karrie Poppinga and Christine Schaefer in the championship-bracket semifinal at 9 a.m.

The other semifinal will match Elaine Roque and Dennie Shupryt-Knoop against Lisa Arce and Patty Dodd at 9 a.m. The championship match is scheduled for 3 p.m.

Kirby and Rock, who are 171-33 together, yielded only 13 points as they defeated Connie Gibbon and Kathy Ross, 15-1, Marsha Miller and Darena Staneva, 15-5, and Marie Andersson and Pat Keller, 15-7.

The path to the semifinals was made easier for Kirby and Rock because three of the top WPVA teams are in Atlanta competing in the Olympics.

Nancy Reno and Holly McPeak, Barbra Fontana Harris and Linda Hanley, and Gail Castro and Deb Richardson will begin competition in the beach volleyball tournament on Tuesday.