For Jersey boy, A.J. Mihalic, playing in his own backyard is something special. The Wall High School native grew up just minutes away from the Belmar sand -- home of the AVP Belmar Open. Too bad his Friday was so short-lived.
Mihalic and teammate Scott Davenport, seeded No. 21, lost in three games to the No. 12 seeded team of Mike Morrison and Ty Tramblie in front of Mihalic's boisterous hometown rooting section. Some of the AVP's tour stops are double-elimination, but this one is not, at least in the first round.
Nonetheless, Mihalic has a fond appreciation for the tournament despite Friday's result.
"I love playing here," Mihalic said. "This is where I learned to play. I like the sand and I know how to move in it."
Another tandem to play only one match were Long Islanders Cindie Valeriano and Hilary Pavels. The native New Yorkers were ousted by No. 10-seeded Priscilla Lima and Angela Lewis in quick fashion. They, too, had plenty of support from the crowd.
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