Competitors came from various locations around the globe last weekend to pay homage to the memory of Ranse Jones during his second annual beach volleyball tournament at Deerfield Beach.
Jones, a firefighter and professional beach volleyball player, suffered a fatal brain aneurysm during a semifinal Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP) event in Panama City last year, but his impact on the sport and the people involved is being carried on.
Over 200 players signed up to compete in the men's and women's open and AA division. Hundreds of friends and families took the opportunity to come out and celebrate the life of a passionate player who left an indelible impression on the beach volleyball community.
"Just playing in this tournament is an honor," said Pompano's Mike DiPierro, who teamed with David Gardella. "Ranse was so great. I just loved the guy. He was such a fighter, and when I got tired out there, I just thought of him going all out, all the time. You can't beat this atmosphere — with everyone being friends, having fun and playing for a good cause."Teams were drawn up in a grab-bag format to keep it fun and still competitive. In the men's division, it was an all Deerfield and Pompano finale pitting DiPierro and Gardella against Matthew Osburn and Chad Barr.
In a tightly contested match that was up for grabs, DiPierro and Gardella were able to deal with the tricky wind conditions to prevail 26-24. Capri Grotowski and her New Zealand partner, Kate Margaret, survived eight matches to capture the women's open crown, while the coed championship was shared by Andre Melo, Mike Bucarrelli, Jerod Davis, Cindy Phillips and Melissa Roberts.
The footvolley team of Joao Luis and Otto de Paula were victorious in an entertaining sport where the players can use any part of the body except their hands. A total of $6,500 in purse prizes was distributed, with additional proceeds donated to Kids in Distress and the Brain Aneurysm Foundation. Steve Grotowski, who is vying for an Olympic volleyball berth with Great Britain, reflected on his past friendship with Jones.
"Ranse was a guy who appreciated the simple things in life and enjoyed every day," Grotowski said. "Having his dog, playing volleyball or his guitar, and having his wife with him was all he needed. His creed was live simple, play hard."