An incredibly unimpressive ‘Big Game’ was more than overshadowed by an extraordinary Beach Ballers tournament at Third Coast. Players came in from as far away as North Carolina to compete in the final installment of 2024’s Beach Baller series. It also helped having a nice 84° winter day to bring the beach vibes back. Congratulations to all of the 2024 Beach Baller winners, here’s to another great season in 2025!
It wasn’t the weather we deserved, but it was the weather we got. Actually maybe we did deserve it after the freeze-fest from the weekend before. Third Coast put on another awesome tournament with a huge turnout and plenty of friendly faces. Sad that this was the last one of the year but can’t wait to see everyone in February for the first Beach Baller of 2025!
Basically what I said about Saturday’s photos except I took these on Sunday.
A beautiful texas winter day in Austin, Texas created quite the setting for some beach volleyball. Rain and temperatures that never reached 47 degrees brought morale to an all time high and kept smiles on the faces of competitors and spectators alike. Obviously neither of those things are true but there was still some great volleyball sprinkled in to an otherwise health-optional environment.
Aww, night night, LoHo. Congrats on your dub though.
“I don’t know what to do with my hands” -Kyndra probably
BOOFEST 2024 at Third Coast was an absolute monster mash of volleyball mayhem, questionable costume choices, and spiking balls like they were drinks at a Kappa Sig formal—all for the love of furry friends at Donna’s Love Pet Rescue. The Houston community showed up like they always do and Third Coast hosted another amazing tournament. Shoutout to everyone who sweated it out in full regalia in the heat. Can’t wait for next year’s installment of chaos and charity!
Hot nights and cold drinks at another Third Coast Beach Baller tournament! Had an absolute blast getting to ball with my boy Ali and celebrate the birthday girl Olivia with a surprise cake smash or two. We had the Louisiana crew in the house and no shortage of fun for the whole day. Next Beach Baller is coming up in two weeks!
Another WELL run tournament hosted by the dude, Sunny Sooch. Awesome turnout from the Houston community to help raise money for new water wells in Tanzania. Although it would appear otherwise, there was some good volleyball played, just none by me. Thank you for always stepping up to the plate, Sunny, and bringing so many people together to make the world a little bit better of a place.
The first afternoon tournament of the season was a huge hit as we had the biggest turn out ever for a Beach Ballers event. It was also a big day for me as I got to grant Jaimie Graham his Make-A-Wish by agreeing to play with him in a tournament. Unfortunately, we came up a little short but it was still a surprisingly fun time with the old man.
The unofficial start of summer is always Labor Day weekend and this year was no different as the heat was back like it never left. It was also the official start of the 2024 Beach Ballers series at Third Coast. Heat exhaustion may have set in for some but I am pretty confident there were no ambulances involved during this one!
The Third Coast community came together for some fundraising in the sun on behalf of Pug Hearts of Houston. The turn out was great, as was the volleyball but the best part about this day was raising nearly $3000 dollars for a great cause. Thank you Jaimie Graham for organizing this and making our community a better place!
It took three years but I finally made the pilgrimage to Fort Walton Beach to see what the Fudpucker Invitational tournament was all about…it did not disappoint! Although I’m not sure if I slept more than four hours on any given night, I do know that it was an awesome time with even better people. Thank you for the great times and memories, I will definitely be back!
The return of warm weather and mimosa vibez was much needed to ease the sting of shelling out all of my money for yet another tax day. We were treated to the debut of Playboy Roy®️, Richard submitted his application to join the Chad gang (still pending), but most importantly, I got Whataburger after the tournament ended. Oh yeah, not pictured, champions - Lauren Horelka and Bryan Malloch.
We had the pleasure of watching some high quality volleyball in Houston again with the return of a big money AVP Next tournament. Hometown heroes Matt Bayliss and Alex Jordan were unable to make a miraculous run to a victory, not of the tournament, just one match - but they tried hard. Unfortunately, they lost before I could get any photos so I opted to just get a ton of Seain and Cody. They did get Sideout to pay me though so don’t get too upset with me. #Ad #SideoutPartner
Happy birthday, Brenna! Thanks for giving us all a reason to get together and play some fun volleyball on a perfect day! Congratulations to the winners, but the true winners are all of us that get to call Brenna a friend 🫶🏼
Tried working on getting the photo reps in early before AVP this year. Some great playing from HCU, TCU, LSU, UW, and UCA. Most proud of my action shots of Mary Alper though.
Rare back to back tournament weekend for Third Coast started with some storms and ended with some Patrick Mahomes fireworks in OT. In between, Michael Alzamora and I won a tournament. (There are no photos of Taylor Swift in this set)
Lots of fun, little sun and John Speights telling me I’m number one.
The homies came out to get one more tournament in before the great Houston freeze of ‘24. Thanks to Third Coast Volleyball Club for another great tournament with great people!
Still getting some warm days down here in Houston to get some fun tournaments in! Had a blast playing through to the finals as well as celebrating that boy Alex Jordan’s birthday. Life was good.
Mark Burik brought out JM Plummer, Ali Denney and Matthew Hazle to teach us all how to suck less at beach volleyball. We are thankful for their time, however, none of us have turned pro since the clinic - use that information as needed if you’re looking to attend their camps.
Wasn’t able to hang out long at this one but did sit in on a few matches. Hope you enjoy!
Sunny Sooch hosts another amazing tournament and as always it was for a great cause. This time we were raising money to build water wells in Tanzania, Africa. We had the opportunity to play some 3s which is always a fun and interesting game. Thank you for all that you do, Sunny!
Another great time balling in the sun at Third Coast. If I didn’t get a picture of you during this tournament, I apologize. I was too busy winning.
Q brought the Scrubs to Houston for another round of above average volleyball, borderline heat exhaustion, and questionable drinking decisions.
There’s a new bad boy in the Houston volleyball scene and this time it isn’t a boy.
Volleyball Vacations put on an incredible week long event at an amazing venue (Club Med Turkoise) where there was no shortage of volleyball, alcohol and questionable decisions.
Everyone’s favorite costume tournament! Who doesn’t love getting sandy while looking fabulous??
Washed up pros and wannabe beach ballers combined for one of the most fun tournaments this side of the Mississippi. Thanks to Q for putting it on, can’t wait for next year!
The 4 man returned - this time in Austin, TX where some of the best pros in the world squared off against each other for the $20,000 purse.
A weekend in the sun watching some serious ballers at District 249 in Tomball. Men’s and Women’s on Saturday, Co-ed on Sunday. Can you guess who won this point??
Branden Barley flies through the air to the crowd’s delight. He in no way, shape or form had any chance of ever getting this ball.
Coed 2’s BB/B and women’s 2’s AVP America tournament hosted by Third Coast Volleyball Club.
An all weekend clinic extravaganza hosted by Third Coast that brought AVP professionals Chase Frishman and Andy Benesh to Houston to impart their knowledge on local sand wannabes.
The second installment of the Beach Ballers season long tournament. Men and women competed in A or B level settings to earn AVP points and try to improve their Beach Baller standings.
Dreco Salgado let’s everyone know that he’s the big man on campus as he watches his girlfriend, Joann Loomis, accomplish his wildest volleyball dreams.