NAWILIWILI — Annette Lynch and Monica Kessi of Maui are the defending women’s champions for Dinosaur beach volleyball. Saturday morning, they were bested by California’s Kelly Drobeck and Lynne Galli, 15-6, during a semifinal women’s match at Kalapaki Beach. “We’re
NAWILIWILI — Annette Lynch and Monica Kessi of Maui are the defending women’s champions for Dinosaur beach volleyball.
Saturday morning, they were bested by California’s Kelly Drobeck and Lynne Galli, 15-6, during a semifinal women’s match at Kalapaki Beach.
“We’re still in it,” said Lynch, following their loss. “Those California girls were tough. They’re very solid, and don’t have very many weaknesses we could capitalize on.”
Galli said they will continue playing other teams who suffer losses and still have an opportunity to make it to the finals — they just can’t lose.
Fonz Nartatez, who plays with his son Kanoa as a Kauai team, said there have been a lot of good matches.
“Todd Harrison and Mikey Thornton, another Kauai team, had a really good match in their win this morning,” Fonz said. “We also have the Kamalani boys, Keoni and Waipuna, playing for Kauai.”
Kanoa, a former soccer standout for Kapaa High School, said playing in the Dinosaur is great because he gets to play with his father.
“This Dinosaur tournament is 21 years old — as old as me,” Kanoa said. “Volleyball and soccer are lifetime sports, and I’m glad they have the Dinosaur because this is one thing I can play with my dad.”
Fonz said he’s been playing beach volleyball since he was 23, which was more than 30 years ago. Kanoa started touching the ball when he was 3, Fonz said.
“We won our game, 15-10 this morning,” Fonz said. “It’s good to have this level of volleyball here on the island. We have Olympians, medal winners from all parts of the country — there’s a lot of champions here. This tournament is all about experience and what you can learn from players who have experience.”
