July 2025 recap

Master's Players- Just when I thought it couldn't get any hotter than the June event, it got worse, but that didn't stop players from signing up as we had back to back months with 24 participants, not since August 2007- June 2008 has that happened, great momentum! The teams were once again very evenly balanced, as many teams had a chance to be in the finals. Thank you to ALL the participants last Sunday for their attendance and perseverance! I hope to see more former and "soon to be" Master's players who are included in this email at an upcoming tournament this year!Thank you to Steve Devlin as always for not only supplying the setup equipment and stringing the nets to perfection! Thank you also to Luke Young for joining me at the beach early to hold courts! 

Again, like he did in June, thank you to Tim Stockwell for bringing and setting up a 6th net so that we could manage pool play more efficiently, and hope you heal quickly!

The new website is live, https://www.chicagomastersvolleyball.com/

7/27/25 Full Results:

1

Oosterbaan, Max / Rappaport, Paul

2

Odonnell, Lou / Gordy, Tyler

3

Germain, Sean / Piemonte, Philip

4

Rhody, Paul / Filarski, Ron

5

Devlin, Steve / Grangaard, David

5

Einhorn, Keith / Maxton, Patrick

7

Prestegaard, Chris / Van, Michael

7

Schmitt, Mike / DeCaen, Paul

9

Pabellon, Dave / Lan, Craig

9

Drerup, Zach / Curry, Cris

9

Young, Luke / Strietzel, Jason

9

Zurawski, Rich / Koselleck, Joe

Roll Shots:This will be a handful of my observations/memories /appreciation of the day, and my attempt at some humor-

New players-  Thank you to Michael Van, Craig Lan, and Philip Piemonte for joining the tradition of The Master's, glad to officially have you as part of the history!

Best Fans - The Maxton/Gordy crew not only provided a large gallery, they also brought ball retrievers that were much appreciated on such a hot day! They also hooked up the TD with a Yuengling, Thank You!

"Favorite Player" -  Running a Masters tournament - $0, Entry fee - $20, an ice cold beer on a super hot day after playing volleyball - $$$ pricelss! Thank you to Ron Filarski for donating an extra Yuengling to the TD, hence I promised a shout out that he was my favorite player at that moment!

Most Thunder- Thanks to Keith Einhorn and Lou O'Donnell for making the event NOT look like an old man tournament by pounding down some balls! 

Best defense - It may get redundant, but Dave Pabellon repeatedly continues to defy expectations of making plays that can't be made, there were many such examples again on Sunday 

Best post tournament spot: I unfortunately missed it this month, but heard there were 14 attendees at Fernando's for post tournament festivities, not bad! 

Most tired team - Lou O'Donnell and Tyler Gordy had to play 12 games in 100+ degree heat index weather, I'm sure they slept well Sunday night!

Repeat Champs - Oosterbaan/Rappaport join the short list of repeat champions in the "blind draw era".

  

More players needed:

If you know a player that would enjoy playing with, and they comply with my "no assholes allowed" policy, please invite them! They will appreciate being a part of this tradition.Chris847-612-4208