Arce, Wong claim beach titles

Steve Addy

Monday, Sept. 10, 2001 | 10:39 a.m.

Lisa Arce showed Kevin Wong a reliable path to the winner's circle Sunday in the AVP King & Queen of the Beach volleyball tournament.

But Wong didn't need a map. He'd been keeping his own notes.

Arce captured the rotating-partner tournament for the second time in four years, then Wong won the men's title in his first try before 1,000 sun-soaked fans at the Hard Rock hotel-casino.

Having spent much of his pro career on the international tour, Wong hadn't qualified for past King & Queen events, but often attended to cheer on his pals. The 29-year-old Hawaiian put his past observations to good use this year, winning five of six matches and taking home $21,000.

Wong swept three matches Sunday without losing a set, teaming with Brent Doble in the first match, then defending champ Mike Whitmarsh and finally Stein Metzger, his touring partner.

Needing only to win one set in the last match for the overall title, Wong and Metzger beat Whitmarsh and Doble 21-19, 21-15. Wong and Metzger won two AVP events this season and the bronze medal last week at the Goodwill Games in Brisbane, Australia.

"I've always wanted to play this event in the past, but I've been here watching," said Wong, who placed fifth in the Sydney Olympics. "I love the format, playing with different partners. You play hard against these guys all summer, then you're buddies with them."

But he admitted a fortuitous draw placed him alongside Metzger for the final match.

"We knew all along that one of us would help the other win," Wong said. "It just happened to be me."

Whitmarsh won $12,000 as runner-up, Metzger $11,000 and Doble $7,500.

Arce (pronounced ar-SEE) compiled a 5-1 record to win the Queen's event, good for $20,250. She won the tournament by teaming with Elaine Youngs (also 5-1) for a 21-17, 21-16 win over Holly McPeak and Sarah Straton in the final match.

Arce, 32, of Redondo Beach, Calif., also won the 1998 event at Huntington Beach, Calif., but finished sixth and fourth the last two years at the Hard Rock.

"This time I was more of a favorite coming in," said Arce, who was seeded third. "In '98, I was kind of a newcomer, so it was more unexpected when I won."

Arce was powerful at the net in the final match, with 20 kills on 40 attacks. McPeak played terrific defense, with 15 digs, but Arce and Youngs ($16,250) were too steady.

"Holly was digging a lot of them, but I knew if I kept hitting hard, the percentages would go my way," Arce said.