LV volleyball team to defend its national title in Dallas

Steve Addy

Tuesday, May 21, 2002 | 9:20 a.m.

A defending champion, an eager aspirant and a former champion will represent Las Vegas this weekend in the USA Adult Volleyball Championships in Dallas.

The B and B Touch of Gold women's team will be seeking its second straight A Gold flight championship, having beaten a 41-team field last May in Milwaukee. One of its strongest foes will be the Las Vegas RNTC Team, which hopes to improve on last year's fourth-place finish.

In the men's A Gold flight, the Las Vegas Men's Team will attempt to get back to the winner's circle. Many of the players were part of the Las Vegas Volleyball Club team that captured the AA Gold title four years ago in Tucson.

Starting Saturday, those teams will be among approximately 550 vying for championships at the Dallas Convention Center. Pool play is Saturday and Sunday, and double-elimination bracket play Monday and Tuesday.

As a warmup, B and B will play a free exhibition against the Durango Juniors 17-under team Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Durango High.

"That will be a very competitive match," B and B coach Frank Zavala said. "I think our talent is probably better than last year, but we need to play together to get sharp. We have a little time to gel this week."

B and B, which won 17 of 18 games in a local tournament this month, will likely be seeded No. 1 among 48 A Gold teams, based on last year's championship win over Armed Forces of Honolulu.

UNLV outside hitter Tarin Keith, who made last year's all-tournament team, is joined by setter Bridgette Zavala as the lone B and B returnees. The team has added outside hitter Melissa Layton, who had a solid career at BYU from 1997-00, and three former Arizona State players: middle blockers Ashley Ottman and Laura Hibsman and outside hitter Terri Cox.

Another former UNLV player, outside hitter Ashlea Holmes, is also on the 11-member team.

The nine-member RNTC squad includes former UNLV standout Angie Sylvas, team captain Val Schulte and floor captain Sue Kennedy.

Men's Team setter/captain Sean Flanagan was a member of the 1998 AA Gold champions.