Smack Athletes Face Off In Manhattan Beach Open Finals

Online, August 28, 2012 (Newswire.com) - Smack Athlete Jenny Kropp and partner Whitney Pavlik continued their dominant ways on the Jose Cuervo Pro Beach Volleyball Series, winning the Manhattan Beach Open with a 21-17, 21-16 victory over fellow Smack Athlete Brooke Sweat and Jennifer Fopma.

Pavlik put away 12 kills and fired three aces in the title bout while Kropp also knocked down 12 kills to go along with 12 blocks. En route to the championship match, Pavlik-Kropp defeated Nicole Branagh and Brittany Hochevar (21-16, 21-11) and Lauren Fendrick and Rachel Scott (21-15, 21-16).
On Friday, the Kropp and Pavlik were inducted into the Walk of Fame for their 2011 Manhattan Beach Open victories and sought out with one mission in mind for this weekend - to finish on top again. And that they did. The "Walk" bears the names of the best volleyball players over the last 52 years ... and now the team will have 2 plaques on the pier.

"There were a lot of butterflies this weekend and definitely our nerves set in because we wanted this so bad. This is the best place in the world to play and nothing else compares to the Manhattan Beach Open," said Kropp.

Smack Sportswear owner Bill Sigler had this to say about the victory, "Smack was born at the Manhattan Beach pier in 1994 ... so it is fitting that our athletes represent our brand so well in our hometown event. We are so proud of Jen and Brooke." Jen also added "We love Smack ... our bikinis are the best we've ever played in ... it was really important for us to win on the beach here the company was formed."

Pavlik and Kropp remained the top- ranked team domestically and will vie for the Jose Cuervo Pro Beach Volleyball series National Championship at the Huntington Beach Open, Sept. 21-23 in Huntington Beach, Calif.

About Team Sports Superstore
Team Sports Superstore owns the brand Smack Sportswear, which is the leading brand of custom designed volleyball apparel for indoor and beach volleyball players since 1994. The Southern California inspired apparel is manufactured primarily in the Torrance, CA facility. Their clothing is designed and tested by some of the top athletes in the world, including the top 3 women's teams on the Cuervo Pro Beach Tour. For more information, visit www.smacksportswear.com.