Metzger Is Flying High All the Way to Australia

Somebody get the airline on the phone. Stein Metzger deserves an upgrade. And free headphones.

A few hours before he was supposed to cram into coach class for a 17-hour flight to Australia, Metzger won the Manhattan Beach Open with Kevin Wong, cementing his status as a rising star on the Assn. of Volleyball Professionals and wrapping up a busy weekend that featured the retirement of Sinjin Smith.

Metzger and Wong, former teammates at UCLA, dropped Eric Fonoimoana and Rob Heidger, 21-17, 18-21, 15-10, on Sunday, leaving just enough time to talk to the media, grab a bite to eat and head to the airport for a red-eye flight to the Goodwill Games.

Wong, who finished fifth at the Sydney Olympics, is plenty familiar with worldwide travel--he had a seat reserved in business class Sunday. But Metzger is still learning.

“He’ll have to grovel,” at the ticket counter, Wong said.

Despite playing their first season together, Metzger and Wong won their second consecutive AVP event and are among the top teams on the tour.

Wong, 6 feet 7, had 10 blocks in the final and frustrated Heidger time after time. Metzger, 6-3, had 20 kills and six digs.

An emotional Metzger told a story afterward of his days as a 13-year-old ballboy at an AVP match in his hometown of Honolulu. He accidentally tossed a sandy ball to a lower-ranked player and was chastised by the player, whose name eluded Metzger. But beach volleyball legend Randy Stoklos lashed out at the player, then winked at Metzger.

“I knew right then that this sport was for me,” Metzger said. “I was glowing. I set my goals towards someday playing on the beach.”

Wong was simply glad to be playing on the AVP tour. He was not allowed to play on the domestic tour the last two years because he favored the rival international circuit. But sports agent Leonard Armato purchased the AVP in May and opened the door for Wong.

“It feels so good to be playing on my home turf,” said Wong, who won three national championships with Metzger at UCLA. “Today’s the granddaddy. Everyone’s peaking for this event. It means a lot to me.”

Fonoimoana, who will also play in the Goodwill Games, has struggled since winning the gold medal with Dain Blanton at the Sydney Olympics. He welcomed a return trip to Australia.

“Maybe I can pick up where I left off,” Fonoimoana said.

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Elaine Youngs was becoming irritated. Frustrated. “A pill,” she admitted.

It was cool to reach the final four with partner Barbra Fontana in 12 consecutive tournaments, but it was unnerving to come away with only three titles while traveling around the world at a frenetic pace.

“I was getting a little crabby,” Youngs said.

Youngs was all smiles Sunday after she and Fontana defeated Holly McPeak and Lisa Arce, 21-17, 21-19, to win the women’s Manhattan Beach Open.

“For Barb and I to break through this weekend was big, to say the least,” Youngs said. “It’s very frustrating when you’re the best team out there a lot of times and you lose close games.”

Youngs and Fontana controlled the first game and led, 18-12, in the second game. McPeak and Arce tied the score, 19-19, but Arce hit into the net to end a long rally and McPeak hit wide to end the match.

“Being back home again after a summer in Europe really relaxed us,” Fontana said. “It was obvious today.”

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Before the women’s championship, a 30-minute ceremony took place for Smith, who is retiring after 25 years on the beach.

Smith, 44, won 139 tournament titles, second most in history, and was a driving force in getting beach volleyball on the Olympic docket.

Smith was eliminated from the tournament Saturday and tied for ninth.

Several players paid tribute to Smith, including former-teammate-turned-rival Karch Kiraly.

“Only one word can come to mind--relentless,” Kiraly said. “It’s a singleness of mind and purpose that I have never seen before on the court. .”

Smith thanked the fans, his ex-teammates and said he looked forward to spending more time with his wife, Patty, and three children.

“I’m going to get to know my kids,” he said.