For More Info, Contact:

Kohl Iverson, Media & PR
(310) 787-1222 x3
Info@SmackSportswear.com

Jen Kessy And April Ross End Season With Two Huge Wins

Torrance, CA. (Oct. 11, 2011) – Smack Sportswear (Smack) athletes Jen Kessy and April Ross, the top seeded team in the U.S., dominated the field to win the Jose Cuervo Hermosa Beach Open and the National Volleyball League’s Miami tournament in late September.

At the NVL Miami Tournament, top-ranked Jen Kessy and April Ross defeated the number five seed Fendrick/Hanson, 21-16, 23-21. These two teams played each other in the semifinal of the winners’ bracket in which Kessy/Ross won in three. Kessey and Ross have been playing on the FIVB International Tour all summer, so this was their first NVL Championship.

At the Jose Curvo Hermosa Beach Open, Kessy/Ross dominated fourth-ranked Jenny Kropp and Whitney Pavlik, 21-12, 21-16, in the finals. Much like the NVL Miami tournament, Kessy/Ross had to defeat their opponent twice in the same tournament to be crowned champions. Even with an infected wisdom tooth, Ross still had enough heart to give it her all and play through the pain. “It hurt so much I couldn’t open my jaw on Tuesday or Wednesday” Ross said. “Nothing like that has ever happened to me before. Luckily, the antibiotics kicked in. I’m just happy we were able to play.”

Smack CEO and founder Bill Sigler had this to say on the duo’s recent championships: “Jen and April have worked so hard and are very deserving of their success this year. They’ve done a great job of representing our company worldwide this year”.

Founded in 1994, Smack Sportswear is the leading brand of custom designed volleyball apparel for both indoor and beach volleyball players. Smack manufactures its Southern California inspired apparel right here in the U.S. This allows Smack to offer its customers world-class responsiveness, supply chain excellence, and un-compromised quality. It is truly a one-stop shop, with Smack providing apparel and decorating, while sister-company VBSuperstore.com provides equipment and gear. Some of the top pros not only design, but also help test Smack products before being distributed to the masses. With a unique business model in place, Smack is positioned to be a leader in athletic apparel. For more information, visit www.smacksportswear.com.

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For more info, contact:

Kohl Iverson, Media & PR

(310) 787-1222 x3

info@smacksportswear.com

Smack Advocates Dig Pink and The Side-Out Foundation as a Certified Vendor of “Pink “ Apparel.

Torrance, CA. (October 11, 2011) – Smack Sportswear (Smack), the leading brand of custom designed volleyball apparel for both indoor and beach volleyball players alike, today announced its relationship with The Side-Out Foundation and its Dig Pink initiative.  Smack hopes to raise awareness, and funds, for breast cancer research by offering signature “Pink” apparel.

As a certified vendor of “Dig Pink Apparel”, Smack plans to get involved with many of the Dig Pink initiatives throughout the year and will offer discounted pricing on signature “Pink” jerseys, tshirts, shorts, and much more at www.smacksportswear.com/digpink. A portion of the proceeds from Pink apparel will be donated back to The Side-Out Foundation.  Smack will also aid the cause by directing customers to The Side-Out foundation’s webpage to learn more about their mission and encourage them to purchase Dig Pink merchandise.

Smack CEO and Founder Bill Sigler has this to say on the relationship: “I couldn’t think of a better organization to partner with than The Side-Out Foundation and Dig Pink. We look forward to promoting their cause to cure breast cancer in every way possible.”

Rick Dunetz, founder and executive director of The Side-Out Foundation, has this to add: “We are very mindful of the companies we partner with.  It’s important to us that our partners truly care about supporting the cause, and Smack understands Dig Pink® is about much more than selling pink products.  We’re excited and grateful they are helping us to share the mission of our organization.”

About Smack Sportswear

Founded in 1994, Smack Sportswear is the leading brand of custom designed volleyball apparel for both indoor and beach volleyball players.  Smack manufactures its Southern California inspired apparel right here in the U.S.!  This allows Smack to offer its customers world-class responsiveness, supply chain excellence, and un-compromised quality.  It is truly a one-stop shop, with Smack providing apparel and decorating, while sister-company VBSuperstore.com provides equipment and gear.  Some of the top pros not only design, but also help test Smack products before being distributed to the masses.  With a unique business model in place, Smack is positioned to be a leader in athletic apparel.  For more information, visit www.smacksportswear.com.

Side-Out Foundation and its Dig Pink initiatives use the avenue of volleyball to promote breast cancer awareness. This 501c3, non-profit charitable organization provides support and advocacy dedicated to making a significant and identifiable difference in the lives of breast cancer patients and their families by supporting clinical trials, increasing compassionate support services and educating communities. Some of their initiatives include: Breast Cancer Awareness Rallies, Dig Pink Tour, and Rock the Pink tournaments…Stay Tuned for year-round events by visiting www.side-out.org.

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For more info, contact

Kohl Iverson, Media & PR

310-787-1222 x20

For more info, contact:

Kohl Iverson, Media & PR
(310) 787-1222 x3
info@smacksportswear.com

But none of that would have mattered much if the Griffins had lost to the Sailors, their chief adversaries.

Thanks to the likes of Jojo Schnabl and Alijah Gunsaulus – among others – Los Alamitos defeated Newport Harbor 25-23, 13-25, 27-25, 25-21 to earn its most important victory of the season.

Schnabl had 12 kills – including the match-winner – and Gunsaulus had nine to lead the Griffins. Afterward, Schnabl stood on the court at Newport Harbor. She couldn’t stop smiling.

“This match really is setting the tone for our season because it’s our big rival,” Schnabl said. “We lost to them in the (CIF) final two years ago. We just wanted to come out fired up and kick some (butt).”

Coach Dave Huber was stoked.

“Getting a win here is always huge,” said Huber, who also was smiling big. “Especially early on in league; it’s only our third match and you don’t want to fall behind as far as the standings go right away.

“So to beat a team that good at their place, it’s big.”

Los Al (23-1) is now 3-0 in league. Newport Harbor (13-4) is 1-1.

It was kind of a strange match. The Griffins appeared on their way to losing the first set, down 23-21 and the Sailors with the momentum. But Los Al scored the next four points, a kill by Crissy Jones (seven kills, three blocks) sealing the deal.

However, the Griffins came out flat in the second set and were never in it.

“I think we stopped communicating in the beginning of the (set) and we didn’t really support each other and get things going again, and we definitely did that in the third and fourth sets,” Schnabl said.

Huber said he didn’t know what to think about that awful second set.

“I wish I could tell you, I could prevent it next time,” he said. “We just got flustered, girls started putting their heads down instead of working our way through it like they had in the past, and you saw the result.”

Los Alamitos bounced back to win the third set, but nearly blew it. Leading 23-17, the Griffins couldn’t put away the Sailors, who eventually tied things at 25. But a kill by Jaylen Villanueva (eight kills) and a hit out by Newport Harbor’s Claire Castillo saved the day.

The Griffins were in control of the fourth set, never leading by less than three points once they took a 14-11 advantage.

Newport Harbor coach Dan Glenn said Los Al taking that first set was the key to his team’s loss.

“The real thing I’m disappointed about is the first set because the first set we were kind of in control and then we let them back in,” he said.

“So that’s the one that really hurt us.”

Cinnamon Sary led the Sailors – ranked No. 4 in Division I-AA – with 13 kills and two blocks. Kasey Thompson and Alex Holbrook had six kills apiece.

Rachel Fattal contributed 23 assists for the Griffins, who next play host to Fountain Valley in a league match.

robert.morales@presstelegram.com

article courtesy of presstelegram.com