Team USA Undefeated in Pro Exhibition

Friday night at PIC was home to the start of the 17th Annual Marianas Cup Beach Volleyball Festival with the highly anticipated Pro Exhibition. Team US defended their title and won all the matches against Japan and Korea.

Team USA: Phil Dalhausser & Paul Baxter, Jenn Snyder & Jenelle Koester
Team Japan: Shimpei Asao & Yasuo Nakaya, Shinako Tanaka, Hiromi Suzuki
Team Korea: Kyung Su Shin & Su Min Jin, Ji Youn Jung & Mi Hwa Shin

Jenelle Koester & Jenn Snyder defeated Team Japan and Team Korea in Friday night's Exhibition Match. Jenelle and Jenn love the Marianas Cup and this year marks their 2nd trip to the beautiful island of Saipan. In the pro raffle, Heather and Nicole won the chance to play with the American pros.

US Pros Visit Schools Today

Today, Phil Dalhausser, Paul Baxter and Jenn Snyder made their rounds to three local schools to share their wisdom on sports, training, commitment as well as answer any questions and sign autographs. Here, Jon Cramer, Marianas Cup Tournament Director, introduces the trio to the students at Saipan Community School.

Phil Dalhausser, Gold Olympian talks about his life-changing experiences at the
2008 Summer Beijing Olympics.

What an experience to meet professional athletes!

US Pros Arrive

US Gold Olympian Phil Dalhausser, fellow AVP pro Paul Baxter and Jennifer Snyder arrived yesterday for the 2009 Marianas Cup.

Today, they are visiting three schools, KSPN2 News and attending a special BBQ hosted for the Pros.

This afternoon, the Japanese pros arrive: Shimpei Aoki, Yasuo Nakaya, Hiromi Suzuki and Shinako Tanaka. Tomorrow, the Korean pros will join the fun: Ji Youn Jung, Mi Hwa Shin, Su Min Jun and Kyung Soo Shin.

On Thursday from 3-5pm at PIC's volleyball courts, all of the pros will be conducting a FREE Kids' Clinic.

On Friday morning, Jenelle Koester, the 4th AVP US pro will arrive just in time for the FREE Pro Exhibition Match that evening from 5-9pm.

Team entries are $60 per team with pro raffle tickets available for $10 per entry. The Pro Am tournament begins Saturday morning at 9am.

Finals will be played on Sunday evening at approximately 6pm.

For more information, please call Kanae Quinn at 235-6231, ext. 5130.

NMIVA thanks all the sponsors for contributing to this worthwhile, international event. Sponsors include: Aon Insurance, Aqua Resort Club, Burger & Comer, Chong’s Corporation, Delta Management Corporation, Glooay Mai Thai Spa, Gregg Elliott Artworks, Elite Printing, Hertz, Hyatt Regency Saipan, Island Apparel, IT&E, KSPN2, LISS, Marianas Eye Institute, Marianas Medical Center, Mariana Resort & Spa, Marianas Trekking, MVA, Microl Corporation, Miller Lite, Monster, No Ka Oi, NWA, PDI, Pacific Eagle Enterprises, Pepsi/Gatorade, PIC Guam, PIC Saipan, Rainbow Color, Saipan Grand Hotel, Seafix Inc., Shell Marianas, Star Sands Plaza, Stars & Stripes, Law Offices of Stephen J. Nutting, Tinian Dynasty Hotel & Casino, Topnotch, Traders Insurance, Triple J Wholesale, WDI Saipan (Tony Roma’s & Capricciosa’s).

Returning US Pro - Jenn Snyder

The 17th Marianas Cup Beach Volleyball Festival is pleased to announce the return of Jennifer Snyder, an AVP Professional to the 2009 tournament. Jenn participated in the tournament in 2008 and is eager to visit the beautiful shores of Saipan. This year, Jenn and the other pros will visit schools, teach a kids clinic and show off their skills in an exhibition match on Friday, March 6th.

Here's a little info on Jenn:
Height 6 foot 2
Weight 158lbs
Born Glendale, Arizona, June 4, 1976

Jennifer Snyder was a 1st team all-Big West player in both the years 96 & 97. When playing for Long Beach State, her side reached the final 4 in 97. Snyder graduated with a BA in Communications and then played for a professional team in Switzerland for a season.

Her partners include Janelle Ruen who she has played with more times than with any other player, plus Angela Knopf, Sara Fredrickson and Dana Schilling.

Facts about Marianas Cup 2009

Hafa Adai & Welcome!

…. to the 2009 Marianas Cup Beach Volleyball Festival, Micronesia’s longest running beach volleyball event! Hosted by the Pacific Islands Club Saipan since 1993, the event combines the talents of professional beach volleyball players and the enthusiasm of dedicated amateurs. In 2008, the event was officially sanctioned by FIVB, the sport’s official ruling body. In August 2008, FIVB’s Coach Tomas Santa Maria of Australia certified nine Saipan NMIVA members as FIVB Level I coaches.

Format:
Pro exhibition on Fri., 3/6/09 followed by pool play and double elimination on Sat., 3/7/09 and Sun., 3/8/09

Location:
Pacific Islands Club Saipan
# of Courts:
4 (2 men, 2 women)

Pro Raffle: Yes, you may win the chance to PLAY with a GOLD OLYMPIAN!
Each amateur team may purchase a raffle ticket for $10 each to obtain a chance to play with one of the pro teams from US, Japan and Korea. Each raffle winning amateur is teamed with a pro for the tournament. Professional players may not play together.

Entry Costs:
$60 per team; $10 for each raffle entry to earn chances to play w/pro

Entry includes:
Tournament T-shirt (autographed by Phil Dalhausser), Awards Banquet, Drink Tickets

Entry & Payment Deadline:
18:00 on Thur., 3/5/09

Entry Submission:
Jon Cramer:jpcramer@picguam.com or Kanae Quinn: dosm@picsaipan.com

Rules for Play:
FIVB Standard Two-person beach volleyball rules apply

Kids’ Clinic with Pros:
Phil Dalhausser & Paul Baxter along with Japanese and Korean pros to host a FREE Kids’ Beach Volleyball Clinic on Thursday, March 5th from 3-5pm at PIC.

Kids’ Marianas Cup on Saturday, March 14th:
Taking advantage of the excitement, PIC will host a Kids’ Marianas Cup the following weekend for kids ages 7-16 yrs with a maximum 16, four person teams.

Accommodation Discount at PIC for participants & fans:
Valid from 3-10 Mar 2009, PIC will offer a special discounted rate of $80 + 10% tax per room per night based on single / double occupancy. Triple rate is $105 + 10% tax per room per night.

Meal Discount:
Silver card (daily breakfast) = $12 adult / $6 child (2-11 yr) per day
Silver Select card (daily breakfast + lunch OR dinner) = $40 adult / $20 child (2-11yr)

For Reservations:
Contact PIC’s Reservations Office at (670)234-2042
Email:

reservations@picsaipan.com
Please mention Marianas Cup Beach Volleyball to obtain your discount.