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Mike Placek and Jeff Carlucci Finish in the Top 10 in AVP Panama City Open

Congratulations to Oxygen4Energy sponsored athletes Mike Placek and Jeff Carlucci for their Top 10 finish at the AVP Panama City Beach Open this past weekend. This was their first tournament as partners and they are both hoping to turn in career-best seasons as partners.

Some of the biggest names in the beach volleyball world were out behind Sharky's Beach Club Saturday taking part in the 1st annual Crocs Panama City Beach open. Due to sever weather, Saturday's play was cancelled and the entire tournament was completed on Sunday.  Placek said, "The conditions on Sunday were very different from anything I personally have ever played in. The wind was blowing straight through the court which was different than the wind we are used to playing in here in Southern California. Luckily the thunderstorms and nearby tornadoes didn't make their way to Panama City that day so we were able to complete the tournament." 

In their first round play, Placek and Carlucci prevailed over Stolfus and Rambis in 2 games (21-17, 21-19). The first game was very clean and error free volleyball which was exactly the style of volleyball that they hope to produce throughout the year. In the second game, they made tough plays with their backs against the wall that clinched the match.

In the second round, they got matched up against Olympic Gold Medalists Dalhausser and Rogers. The match was played on Center Court in severe wind conditions. Carlucci and Placek put up a good fight against the World Champions, but ended up losing the match 13-21, 19-21. In the second game, a questionable call by the ref went in favor of the Olympic Champs. If the call had gone the other way, Placek and Carlucci may have been able to take game 2 and forced a 3rd game.

According to Carlucci, "We felt good about our first tournament together. We have a lot to work on in the next few weeks to prepare for Riverside, but I am excited for our season! Loosing our only match to the Olympic gold medalists is acceptable at this point."

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