Adult Nationals 2006 - New Orleans, Louisiana
May 27-June 3rd

Rustys 55

June 7, 2006

 RUSTY’S 55s TEAM TAKES SECOND IN SILVER DIVISION AT 2006 USA NATIONAL VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT

 The venerable Rustys 55s team had a grand time at the 78th Annual USA Open Volleyball Championships in New Orleans.  This indefatigable group of warrior’s endured illness, lack of players, as well as aches and pains to come in second in the Silver Division.  The beginnings were ominous.  Some members of the team decided not to participate for philosophic reasons, Jim “the hammer” Clavadetscher spent most of the time in the bathroom and Roman Reese left early.  The team played with an average of only six players throughout the tournament.

 We started off with a bang.  Seeded second in our pool we defeated the first two teams the first day.  The second day was not so good and we lost three in a row.  We ended up in the Silver Bracket somewhat disappointed but unbent.  It was in the silver Bracket that the team showed its mettle by defeating Downeast 55’s, RVC Grog (25-13,25-8) and Dale VBC in a barn burner (21-25,31-29,15-8).  The team ran out of gas in the championship match and lost to Northern Heat 55 (28-18,25-23).  It was the team’s consensus that if we could have had one more night of carousing we would have won.

 The team was ably led by Jerry “the professor” Kissick.  Gary “pretty boy” Pfingsten and Dick “shades” Webster excelled at center.  Dick “Mr. steady” Ellegood and John “gimmie the ball” Bowman capably handled outside hitting.  A glorious time was had by all.