Jenelle Koester joins Marianas Cup!

Jenelle Koester, age 31, is one of the professional beach volleyball players heading to Saipan to participate in the 17th Marianas Cup Beach Volleyball Festival. 2009 marks her return to the longest-standing beach volleyball tournament in Micronesia.

An opposite hitter at the University of Connecticut with a degree in Human Development – Services and Counseling, Koester (6 foot tall) had one of the top matches in NCAA history when she recorded 18 kills with no errors in 21 attempts. She was named to three all-Big East teams, and in 1998 was also an AVCA all-district choice. She remained as the team's career leader in kills, and is in the top 10 in digs, blocks, aces and hitting percentage.

Koester, with Denise Johns, won the 2003 AVP Next National Championships, thereby earning berths in four main draws in 2004. Following her consistent finishes, she had to play in just one qualifying tournament after that point in 2005.

The 17th Marianas Cup Beach Volleyball Festival scheduled for 6-8 March 2009 at the PIC Volleyball Courts will include a Kids’ Clinic run by the pros on 5 March from 3-5pm and the Kids’ Marianas Cup on 14 March. The highly anticipated Exhibition Match among the US, Japan and Korean professionals is open to the public and will be held at PIC’s beach volleyball courts on Friday, 6 March 2009 starting at approximately 5pm.

The Northern Mariana Islands Volleyball Association (NMIVA) thanks all the sponsors for contributing to this worthwhile, international event. Sponsors include: Aon Insurance, Aqua Resort Club, Chong’s Corporation, Delta Management Corporation, Glooay Mai Thai Spa, Gregg Elliott Artworks, Hertz, Hyatt Regency Saipan, Island Apparel, IT&E, KSPN2, LISS, Marianas Eye Institute, Marianas Medical Center, Mariana Resort & Spa, Marianas Trekking, MVA, Microl Corporation, No Ka Oi, NWA, PDI, Pacific Eagle Enterprises, PIC Guam, PIC Saipan, PTC, 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).

Paul Baxter returns to the Marianas Cup!

Professional US Beach Volleyball Player, Paul Baxter will return for his 6th visit to the CNMI to defend his title. Last year, he and partner, Randy Steele, won the Men’s Championships by defeating 21-13, the Japanese duo of Daisuke Matsumoto and Shigekazu Fujimatsu. In 2004, the Baxter and Steele tandem also took top honors.

The 37 year old, 6’5” Minnesota native started his volleyball career at the junior level for Team Sota of Minnesota. He continued at Ball State University and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Corporate Financial Management where his team finished third at the 1994 NCAA Tournament.

Baxter advanced to the five Final Fours on the AVP Tour from 2003 to 2005 with four different partners. During that span, no other player had made it to the semifinals with as many different partners. In 2005, he ranked eighth in both digs (629) and kills (1,152).Baxter has two sisters (Denise, older and Taylor, younger). He enjoys golf, working out, scuba, traveling, yoga, and anything else that is active or competitive. He spends part of his off season helping coach high school volleyball. "Bax" credits Karch Kiraly as his inspiration to pursue the professional beach game. The athletes he most looks up to are Kevin Garnett and Deion Sanders. If he weren't playing volleyball he would "probably be grinding it out on one of the Professional Golf Tours, hopefully it would be the PGA Tour."

The 17th Marianas Cup Beach Volleyball Festival scheduled for 6-8 March 2009 at the PIC Volleyball Courts will include a Kids’ Clinic run by the pros on 5 March from 3-5pm and the Kids’ Marianas Cup on 14 March. The highly anticipated Exhibition Match among the US, Japan and Korean professionals is open to the public and will be held at PIC’s beach volleyball courts on Friday, 6 March 2009 starting at approximately 5pm.

The Northern Mariana Islands Volleyball Association (NMIVA) thanks all the sponsors for contributing to this worthwhile, international event. Sponsors include: Aon Insurance, Aqua Resort Club, Chong’s Corporation, Delta Management Corporation, Glooay Mai Thai Spa, Gregg Elliott Artworks, Hertz, Hyatt Regency Saipan, Island Apparel, IT&E, KSPN2, LISS, Marianas Eye Institute, Mariana Resort & Spa, Marianas Trekking, MVA, Microl Corporation, No Ka Oi, NWA, PDI, Pacific Eagle Enterprises, PIC Guam, PIC Saipan, PTC, 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).

More Sponsors Join the Marianas Cup!

I wish to thank the following sponsors who are joining the Marianas Cup!

DELTA MANAGEMENT LAW OFFICES OF STEPHEN J. NUTTING

TOPNOTCH STARS & STRIPES CHONG'S CORPORATION GLOOAY MAI THAI SPA

For information on becoming a sponsor, please call Kanae at (670) 234-7976, ext. 5130.

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.

Marianas Cup Sponsors Lining Up

The 17th Marianas Cup Beach Volleyball Festival, slated for March 6-8, 2009, is gathering generous contributions from sponsors who remain strong supporters of sports tourism, NMIVA and the CNMI community.

It's not everyday that an Olympic gold medalist, along with other pros, visit our island, to showcase their talents as well as educate the youth on the positive effects of sports, teamwork and reaching your goals.

For more information on becoming a sponsor, please contact Kanae Quinn at dosm@picsaipan.com or Jon Cramer at jpcramer@picguam.com.

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.

Northwest Airlines Offer from LAX,SFO to SPN & PIC Discounted Room Rates

Northwest Airlines has kindly agreed to provide a special offer for participants who are interested in attending the Marianas Cup Beach Volleyball Festival from 6-8 March 2009.

Adhoc Group fares from San Francisco International and Los Angeles International are the same:

For Mon-Thu:

1 Booking class T: 735.00

2 Booking class M: 1198.00

For Fri-Sun:

1 Booking class T: 812.00

2 Booking class M: 1288.00

The difference between T and M category fares are the amount of restrictions based on date and flight.

If you are interested in this offer, please contact the local SPN office at (670) 234-2016 or email Chris Concepcion at chris.concepcion@nwa.com.

Tickets can go quickly, so please book early!

PIC will also provide a special rate of $80 + 10% tax per night based on single / double occupancy for participants of the Marianas Cup. For triple occupancy, the rate is $105 + 10% tax per night. These rates are applicable to Marianas Cup participants & accompanying family/friends from 3-10 March 2009.

For reservations, feel free to contact Mr. Kevin Carey at (670) 234-2042 or email Kevin at reservationsmgr@picsaipan.com.

For any other questions, please email Kanae Quinn at dosm@picsaipan.com