ISLE FILE
Ching's volleyball team wins
Advertiser Staff
A team led by former University of Hawai'i men's standout Tony Ching and ex-Hawai'i-Hilo women's star Tanya Fuamatu-Anderson captured the Corona Extra Duke Classic Beach Volleyball Tournament yesterday at Kuhio Beach, Waikiki.
Ching and Fuamatu-Anderson teamed with local players Watt Thongtrakul and Mel Mareko overcame a seven-point deficit to beat a team led by former Rainbow Wahine Chastity Nobriga, 15-12, in the final.
Nobriga's team — including Jordan Inafuku, Maddison McKibbin and Josh Taylor — raced to a 7-0 lead behind great play at the net by McKibbin and Taylor. Ching's team rallied to tie it 9-9, and the match was still knotted 12-12 before Ching's kill sparked a 3-0 closing run.
"You win in beach volleyball when you play as a team," Ching said. "We got some unbelievable ball control from Tanya, great sets and total commitment from Watt and Mel. Everyone did their part and even though we started slow, we turned it around in the end."
