Whitmarsh, Swatik Win Volleyball Title

Mike Whitmarsh teamed with David Swatik to defeat Jose Loiola and Emanuel Rego, 14-12, to win the Hermosa Beach Open Sunday.

The tournament wasn’t a standard-setter--Karch Kiraly was ousted earlier and failed in his bid to win his record 140th pro beach volleyball title--but it was entertaining nonetheless, particularly in the championship.

A kill by Loiola with no time left on the nine-minute game clock pulled his team to within 13-12, sending the match into overtime, where the first team to take a two-point lead would prevail.

Whitmarsh, 37, who won the silver medal at the 1996 Olympics (Kiraly won the gold), came up with the winning block on Rego.