Bob Lotito has been enjoying the sport of volleyball for 30 years and counting. Come summertime, he looks forward to going to as many of the professional events that hit the Florida beaches as he can, especially the WPVA. However, it wasn't the pros that first got him interested in the sport.

"I started out in a recreational volleyball league at work as a way to meet fellow employees," he said. "From there, my interest in the sport just kept growing."

One of Bob's daughters, Chrissy, increased his enjoyment of the sport when she played for Olympic Heights High School in Boca Raton, one of the stronger teams in South Florida. For the four years that she was a part of that team, Bob and his family followed them everywhere they played. It was an exciting time for the whole family, as Olympic Heights was very competitive in their division every year, culminating with their victory in the Florida State Championships in Chrissy's senior year.

His interest in the beach game has continued to increase his enjoyment of volleyball. In the last few years, Bob has attended four different WPVA events in South Florida, including the Deerfield Beach and Fort Lauderdale events.

One of the players he enjoys watching is Krista Blomquist, who was a one time resident of nearby Delray Beach, Florida and the assistant coach of Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton.

"Krista has to be one of the hardest hitters on the tour," he said. "Her overall game improvement over the last few seasons is very noticeable, which," he added, jokingly, with a smile, "is not bad for a basketball player who had limited volleyball experience prior to joining the WPVA tour."

Holly McPeak, the tour's current MVP, is another of the players he really enjoys watching.

"For overall volleyball skills, Holly McPeak provides the fans with everything; offensive skills, defensive skills, focus and tenacity," he said. "Her defensive skills rate the best on the beach for the WPVA, no question. She seems to be able to read a hitter's thoughts, and her ability to cover the court, make a fantastic dig, and then get right back in the play, sometimes leaves me in awe."

Another player Bob enjoys watching is Gail Castro. "I really enjoy watching Castro play, not only for her volleyball skills, but because she seems to make the game seem like a lot of fun," he said. "She always has a smile before and after a match, win or lose."

One of the aspects of the game that more and more players are using over the last few years, the jump serve, has also caught his interest.

"Another part of the game that I enjoy watching is the increased use of the jump serve on the women's tour," he said. "And, I don't just mean using it, but using it and trying to cause damage with it, meaning points. And, in that respect, Angela Rock stands heads above everyone else with her jump serve. She hits with power and with purpose. It is fun to watch."

Bob Lotito, one of the WPVA's many fans in the state of Florida.