by Brianna Smith
Lyon Stahl went from repeat to 3-peat champions by defeating 12th Street in the 50th Anniversary Charlie Saikley 6-Man Volleyball Tournament at the Manhattan pier on Saturday. The 12th Street team, which was celebrating its 31st appearance at 6-man, was the last team to win the tournament before Lyon Stahl went on its run in 2022.
Sponsor Lyon Stahl is an El Segundo-based commercial Realtor.
12th Street, named after a former Manhattan bar, retained its title for best 6-Man after party with a rave led by former Playboy Mansion DJ Johnny Knight at the downtown Manhattan Hush Salon.
In the women’s division, Fitstop pushed Gummy Gainz into the contender’s bracket. Gummy Gainz had to overcome traditional powerhouse SoHo Yoga for the opportunity to face Fitstop again, in the finals. SoHo’s team included 2020 Gold Medal Olympians April Ross and Alix Klineman.
Gummy Gainz prevailed in the finals, led by former Mira Costa beach volleyball teammates Sunny Villapando and Rio Frohoff (Class of 2017). In addition to winning the tournament, Gummy Gainz was also the best fed and best dressed team in the tournament. Gummy Gainz is a high protein candy company co-founded by Villapando. Co-sponsors chef David Slay, and Subways franchise owner Nick Cavallo also helped fuel the team. While other teams wore patch quilt tutus and Hawaiian shirts, Gummy Gainz wore pink suits by Left On Friday, a swim suit company newly founded by former Lululemon designer Shannon Savage and marketer Laura Low Ah Kee.
The 6-Man was founded by the late Charlie Saikley, a Manhattan Beach Parks and Rec director and is now run by his son Jay Saikley. The tournament is a signature International Surf Festival event, and draws crowds estimated at 50,000, making it the largest 6-Man Beach volleyball tournament in the country.
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