The Road to Rio
The top-ranked U.S. Olympic men’s team of Nick Lucena, left, and Phil Dalhausser are defending Manhattan Beach Open champions. Photo Six of the eight U.S. Olympians hope to head to Rio on a high note by winning the prestigious AVP Manhattan Beach Open. Manhattan Beach native and CBVA Hall of Fame member Kevin Cleary will be playing in his 40th Manhattan Beach Open. Photo Standing at the service line on a sand volleyball court in Manhattan Beach, the scrawny 16-year-old looked around in awe as he noticed many of the greats of the game competing on other courts. The year was 1975 and the kid was Kevin Cleary, who was playing in his first Manhattan Beach Open in front of a hometown crowd that included many of his friends. On Thursday, Cleary will be reaching a milestone few can claim by playing in his 40th MB Open. “It is something I still enjoy doing,” said Cleary, who plays at least twice a week to keep in shape. “Before I started playing, I watched legends like Ron Von Hagen and Henry Bergman. Von Hagen was built like a Greek God with a chiseled body. He was the epitome of a beach volleyball player. I soon became hooked on the game.” Cleary has witnessed many changes to the MB…
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