Kiraly, Steffes Win U.S. Championships

The impressive run of Mike Whitmarsh and Mike Dodd at the Miller Lite U.S. Championships at Hermosa Beach ended Sunday with a 12-10 loss to Karch Kiraly and Kent Steffes in the final.

But it didn’t happen without a good fight. Fatigued from playing almost twice as many matches as top-seeded Kiraly and Steffes in the three-day tournament, Dodd and Whitmarsh played every point as if it were the Olympic final.

Recreating the moment wasn’t difficult. Kiraly and Steffes defeated Dodd and Whitmarsh for the gold medal in Atlanta, and Sunday marked the first rematch in a tournament final.

Fourth-seeded Dodd and Whitmarsh trailed, 10-2, before a 6-0 run that included numerous rallies and spectacular plays.

Kiraly and Steffes responded with two consecutive points and Dodd and Whitmarsh were only able to score twice before the eight-minute clock expired.

“Those guys played an incredible tournament,” Kiraly said. “To lose in the first round and play 11 games to get to the final is phenomenal.”

The victory marks the 11th tournament title on the Assn. of Volleyball Professionals tour this year for Kiraly and Steffes, who will split $35,000. Dodd and Whitmarsh will share $19,900.