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Thursday, July 13, 2000
Former UH cats
come back for
beach volleyball
Katz, Milo, Salmeri and Stanley
By Cindy Luis
will play in tournament
to benefit Shriners
Star-BulletinThe lure - and allure - of Hawaii is a given.
But it is playing volleyball in Hawaii that is the real magnet that draws former island players from afar.
Like homing pigeons, ex-University of Hawaii players such as Yuval Katz, Naveh Milo and Jason Salmeri have returned from their respective pro teams in Europe for a little sun and a lot of beach volleyball.
The first event is Saturday's third Rhino Players Championship, a benefit for the Honolulu Shriners Hospital for Children.
RHINO PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP
What: Men's and women's beach doubles.
"I'm back with Yuval for vacation,'' said Milo, who has been playing with both the Israeli national team and a pro indoor team. "We came back because we love Hawaii and we want to work out and play on the beach for fun.''
Milo will partner with Jay Whalen while Salmeri will hook up with Chris Crabb. Salmeri is on break from his pro team in Spain and attending summer school at UH to finish his degree work.
"The Spanish people were really nice and I'm looking forward to going back,'' said Salmeri. "But I love coming back here and hanging with all these guys.''
Clay Stanley recently returned from playing in Puerto Rico. Following the Olympics, he has been invited to Colorado to train with the U.S. national team.
"The plan is to train and build up a resume to get a contract in Europe,'' said Stanley, who is teaming with tournament organizer Marc Haine Saturday.
The event has expanded to include a women's division this year and may use rally scoring to help speed up the matches. Haine is hoping to draw 32 teams and to raise at least $1,000 for the Shriners Hospital.
