Team Gorgeous Prepares To Make Big Splash in 2007
When Suzanne Stonebarger and Michelle More are playing together, it's hard to miss. Not only are they attractive, they are usually followed around by a gaggle of adoring AVP male interns. The interns have dubbed the pair "Team Gorgeous." The women couldn't help but play along with it.
"It's flattering. I think there's a lot of beautiful girls out here. I just think that we're really personable and that's why we get called that," More said.
Their looks aren't the only things that have been getting the Nevada-Reno graduates noticed. More and Stonebarger only started playing on the AVP Tour in 2004 but already have two 5th place finishes under their belts. The two look to continue their success on the beach into 2007.
One of the big factors in their rapid progress is the fact that they work so well together on and off the court.
"We have fun. I think that's the most important thing: to keep the chemistry by having fun. We're best friends," Stonebarger said.
Their solid friendship prompted Stonebarger to move back to More's native stomping grounds, Southern California, after graduating from college. They didn't consider playing beach volleyball when they moved and actually took a year off from the sport. However, being solely spectators at AVP tournaments changed the women's minds.
"When we went to local events, we thought, 'Oh, maybe, we could start playing.' But at first, you're intimidated and embarrassed because you're not that good," More said.
After seeing the qualifiers, the women couldn't resist giving the beach a try; however, it didn't come easy. In 2004, the pair played in nine tournaments, but the highest they reached was 17th place.
"When we first started playing, it took us a while to get in beach shape," Stonebarger said.
The next year was a bit more fruitful with the partners netting one 9th place and four 13th places. The women really buckled down following the 2005 season.
"In the beginning, it was frustrating not doing that well, but we worked really hard in the off-season so we weren't really that surprised at how well we did in 2006," More said.
The rest of the tour, however, was taken by surprise. In the season's first tournament in 2006 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., More and Stonebarger earned their first fifth. They matched that high mark in Seaside Heights a few months later. The two see their finishes as a logical extension of their growth as players.
"I think team chemistry is huge. We kind of grew together. I think that experience was what we lacked," More said.
Their opposing personalities have served More and Stonebarger well on the court.
"I think we're opposite when it comes to playing. I'm like a fiery fireball kind of player. I think that balances with Michelle. She's pretty mellow," Stonebarger said.
During this off-season, More and Stonebarger are hard at work improving their game. The duo has instituted a new diet focused on increasing their energy levels to combat fatigue that set in at the end of tournaments in 2006. Both believe that better diet will lead to increased energy levels later in tournaments.
"I felt we got a little tired at the end of a long tournament and maybe made some mental mistakes we wouldn't have made had we had more energy," More said. "I can't wait to get on the court next season and finish off those close games we didn't pull out [in 2006]."
"We are going to kill our bodies and get in the best shape of our lives [for 2007]," Stonebarger said.
Although there are some interns who might find that hard to imagine, it's nearly a sure bet that as the young players continue to improve, the interns won't be the only ones watching out for them.
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Team Gorgeous Prepares To Make Big Splash in 2007
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