Bob Lotito

Drew and Terri at home

Texas is a big state. So it goes to figure that, in Texas, the WPVA should have some "big-time" fans, and Drew Kalapach is definitely one of the WPVA's biggest fans.

"I have to admit I'm a little prejudice towards the WPVA over the other tours," Drew said. "The biggest reason is because they were the ones that first exposed me to the two person (beach volleyball) game and because of that, the WPVA holds a special place in my heart."

Drew's first introduction to the sport came in the late 1980s, when he happened upon a WPVA event on television.

"It was purely by accident," he said. "I was channel surfing one evening and happened to stop on one of the channels. Something amazing was on. I'd never seen it or heard of it. Here were four women in the sand playing two-on-two volleyball! Now, you have to understand, I grew up in Indiana in the late 1960s, early 1970s. Volleyball might as well have been played on the moon! We never heard anything about it. I stopped right there (on that channel) and I remember saying to myself, 'What the heck is this!?' I was simply fascinated with the idea of two people covering the court in the sand. My addiction had begun."

As it seems to happen with most volleyball fans, once volleyball gets "in your blood," it's there to stay. Soon after seeing the sport on television, Drew was looking to see and play more of the sport. He watched it on television, played some with friends and coworkers, went to some college games at Rice University and the University of Houston, and he and his fiance, Terri Cox, also started to attend the pro events when they made some stops in Texas.

"The past few years, Terri and I have regularly planned our summer trips around the Pro Tours and mainly the WPVA," he said. "The WPVA Opens are the most relaxing sporting events I've ever attended. The players are 'up close and personal.' They don't mind hanging out with the crowd now and then. It's just one great way to spend a weekend.

"I've also gotten to know a few of the players and staff over the last few years," he added. "They, along with all of the people associated with the WPVA, have been extremely kind to Terri and I, and I can't say enough good things about them.

"I really admire the WPVA's tenacity, as well. The tour has had a rocky road at times, but they have continued on and now flourish. I can't help but support a group that has a 'Never Say Die' attitude."

This years event in Austin, Texas was an especially enjoyable time for Drew and Terri.

"The finest WPVA tournament I've attended to date," he said. "It had the richest field of players, quite possibly, in the entire history of the tour. And, the final was unreal. There were around 100 sideouts, just the way I like my volleyball. That match was like a couple of heavyweights going at it. Holly McPeak and Lisa Arce vs. Barbra Fontana and Linda Hanley. Into OT it went and McPeak and Arce finally pulled it out 18-16!"

Besides the great final, there were other matches that Drew also enjoyed during the weekend tournament as well. One of those was a match that had a couple of local players competing.

"Probably one of the most interesting matches of the weekend took place on Friday, when the Busch sisters (Carrie and Nikki) took on Fontana and Hanley," he said. "This is a local team from Austin, and they played a great match against the seasoned veterans. They were down 13-7, but managed to hang tough and actually at one point, jumped ahead 14-13. But, Fontana and Hanley, the masters of steadying out, pulled the match out in OT to win 16-14. There's some real talent in the Busch sisters and I hope they continue to play on the tour. This epitomizes the young talent in the WPVA."

For Drew though, a lot of his enjoyment of the WPVA is not always with the action on the court.

"The most memorable moments actually took place away from the action," he said. "I really enjoy chatting and joking around with many of the players. They are a friendly bunch.

"It was also very enjoyable to finally meet Linda Chisholm, who holds a special, special place in my personal volleyball history. I remember her well. She was playing with Jackie Silva at the time and she was one of the players I saw on TV that first time I watched a two's match many moons ago."

Early on during tournaments, when a lot of matches are going on at the same time, you can usually spot Drew "running around like a chicken with his head cut off," as he tries to watch as many of the matches as he can. "I always watch Dennie (Shupryt-Knoop) and Elaine (Roque) quite a bit," he said. "I try to catch Deb Richardson and, now, her partner, Chisholm. Gail Castro is another I like to watch, but the list really does go on and on."

Who did he think was the most exciting player to watch during the weekend? "I'd have to give Holly McPeak the edge here," he said. "There was some great defense played by a lot of players over the weekend, but Holly had a handful of unbelievable defensive scrambles in the final match that left me shaking my head."

It was an exciting weekend of volleyball for Drew and Terri and they plan to attend a couple other WPVA stops in 1997 as well.

"I've been following the WPVA for quite a while now, and I can honestly say that I enjoy their tournaments more than any other sporting events I've attended throughout my life," he said. "There is such a relaxed atmosphere at these opens. I urge everyone to come out to a tournament and experience it first hand if they haven't. It's a great way to enjoy a little summer sunshine while seeing professional athletes up close. You just can't beat it and you certainly can't beat the price!"