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The tension on the volleyball courts was high Wednesday as two groups of undefeated teams played each other until one moved forward towards the championship round.

In the women's 50-54 age bracket, the favorites to take the gold medal were the BAD team from Utah and the Mavericks from San Diego. Before their match, both teams were determined to win.

"We are both very competitive teams," Monica Hayes-Trainer, 51 of the Mavericks, said. "We knew we would meet them in this round."

The teams have played each often over the years, going back to their college days. And they continue to meet up at various tournaments.

"Off the court, we are all friendly," Hayes-Trainer said, "But on the court, we are opponents."

The Mavericks changed their line-up specifically for this game to throw off their opponents, and their strategy worked. Both games were extremely close, with Mavericks leading the first game from the start and winning 25-20. The second game was much closer, with BAD opening up a lead, but the Mavericks came backing the end to win 25-22. By winning, the Mavericks assured themselves a place in the finals, while BAD will have to play for their spot.

"We beat them the last time," said BAD player, Karin Thomsen,
50, said, "And they wanted to get us back. They had a point to prove and they beat us to prove it.

Though both teams have a deeply-rooted rivalry, Linda McCallan, the Mavericks star player, is switching teams for the World Championships in Australia this October.

In the men's 50-54 age group, the quarterfinal match came down to Pennsylvania Spike Fest and Block Party. Spike Fest came out on top.

"We didn't come here for anything but the gold," Kerry Kleppinger, 54, of Spike Fest, said.

Block Party put up a good fight and lost in a close match. They have one more chance to make it to the finals, whereas Spike Fest is guaranteed a spot.

"We aren't hoping to win," Bob Amirvand, 58, of Block Party said, "We plan to win."

In the men's 55-59 age bracket, Kings Mountain Fog, a local club, is a favorite. Greg Close, 60, founded the club and decided to play at the Senior Games this year because it was so close to home. The team holds three major titles, including the U.S. Open National Championship, Huntsmen World Championship, and World Masters Championship.

"We beat most of the teams here at the Huntsmen Games," Close said, "We beat 'Two men and a Truck' every time we played them."

Kings Mountain Fog is the top seed followed closely by 2 Men and a Truck, in the No. 2 spot.


Related material:

■ VIDEO: Up close and personal - Interviews with Senior Games athletes
■ VIDEO Celebration of Athletes features Steve Young, Jennifer Azzi
■ Senior Games Daily (Aug. 13, 2009) (PDF)
■ Senior Games Daily (Aug. 12, 2009) (PDF)
■ 2009 SUMMER NATIONAL SENIOR GAMES ARCHIVE

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