After at least 5 years of trying, Joe finally convinced Todd to come down to Fort Walton Beach early to play in the Bring Your Own Partner beach volleyball doubles tournament that precedes the Fudpuckers 4 Player Volleyball Tournament.  The competition was significantly stronger than Joe’s first brush with the Thrill of Victory, but what made this time better was the fact the finals were played on center court, in front of a small crowd.  To say the situation looked hopeless when Todd inspired the tournament director to come out and give him a lecture would be an understatement. Apparently, Mike inspired the boys because they managed to come from way back to pull this one out against a team that must have been half their age. That last part sort of puts a smile on your face, doesn’t it?

It is surprising to think that the Champs had to ride 6 hours from home to experience the Thrill of Victory together for the first time. The only question now is, did Todd have enough fun that Joe can convince him to return to the beach in 2012 to defend their title so that they can experience the Thrill of Victory – One More Time.

Joe has been playing in Fudpuckers Volleyball Tournaments for 16 years, even finished second in various events half a dozen times, so it doesn’t get any better than finally winning one of them. Unless you count waiting 48 years for the Red Sox to finally win the World Series in 2004. Must have been all that AVP coaching on my Volleyball Vacation in Turks and Caicos. It could not have been drawing the right partner’s name out of the hat.

What more could I ask for than a Volleyball Vacation? Joe got to play volleyball with Olympic Gold Medalist Phil Dalhausser and several other players on the AVP tour. While they gave me some great tips, I still can’t jump high enough to reach the top of Phil’s wingspan. Well, at least I made a few new friends.