LONG BEFORE BEACH VOLLEYBALL’S HIGHLY PUBLICIZED PROFESSIONALIZATION, A SELECT HANDFUL COMPETED FOR SOMETHING FAR MORE VALUABLE THAN CASH, IT WAS ABOUT RESPECT. IT WAS DURING A TIME WHEN THE BEST WERE ESSENTIALLY NAMELESS IF YOU DROVE MORE THAN A MILE FROM THE BEACH.

NONE OF THAT MATTERED THOUGH, THESE MAVERICKS PLAYED FROM DAWN TO DARK, HONING THE ART OF THE PASS, SET AND SPIKE. SURE THERE WAS THE OCCASIONAL TROPHY, A PAIR OF TRUNKS FROM SOME LITTLE SURF COMPANY BASED OUT OF AUSTRALIA CALLED QUIKSILVER AND MAYBE EVEN A FREE DINNER, BUT THE REAL THRILL WAS KEEPING CENTER COURT FOR THE NEXT GAME AND TO FEEL THE HEARTTHROB OF BEING THE BEST.

(Photos courtesy of Kevin Goff - www.kevincgoff.com)