Team Magnum Looking for a 4-Peat

When it comes to beach volleyball bragging rights here in the South Bay, there are few titles that carry more weight with locals than the coveted Charlie Saikley 6-Man championship, happening today and tomorrow on the sand south of the Manhattan Beach Pier.  

So naturally when Team Magnum [registered as Team Smack] took the court at 9 a.m. today, the ante has been upped, with competitors intent on dethroning the three-time defending champions. 

With their third consecutive title in last year’s 6-Man, Team Magnum, named after the popular detective show Magnum P.I., made history as the only team in the tournament’s 50-year history to win back-to-back-to-back championships.  

Their run is the measuring stick for past and future 6-Man teams and this year, Magnum will start the tournament with an extra large bulls-eye on their Hawaiian shirt clad backs. 

“I've heard talks of the creation of a super team in order to beat us," Team Magnum Captain Jason Olive told Manhattan Beach Patch. 

“It’s no secret we plan to win," he said. "We made history last year, and we want to make history again this year by winning four in a row.  But it is going to be a tough. There’s some really strong teams this year.”

Team Magnum has good reason for optimism. Nearly every key member from last year’s squad has returned, including U.S National Indoor Team member and Olympic Gold Medalist, Rich Lambourne.  Lambourne will be joined in the back court by NCAA National Indoor Champion Ryan Stuntz. 

“People seem to wonder how we just keep winning,” said Olive. “I'll tell you, those guys in a back row have a lot to do with it. They’ve got great hands and they dig absolutely everything.” 

While Olive rightfully sings the praises of his back court, the guys putting up the block at the net and putting down big kill shots also play a huge role in the team’s success. 

At the cornerstone of the offensive explosion is Dave Mackenzie, who the team has affectionately dubbed “the Asian Silver-Backed Volley-Gorilla” in homage to his formidable vertical leap. He is the cornerstone of Team Magnum’s offense. The former National Team member consistently jumps high enough that his kill shots go over the top of the block rather than around. 

Beach volleyball legend Albert Hannemann will also be counted on to provide offensive firepower.

Team Magnum will have one hole to fill as current NVL Beach Volleyball star Matt Prosser is unable to re-join for this year’s championship run. 

AVP Champion Jeff Nygaard is rumored to be taking over for Prosser, but the 6’8” Nygaard’s inclusion has not been definitively confirmed as of press time. 

While it appears Team Magnum has reloaded, the competition is expected to be stronger than ever before. 

Team 12th street, who took Magnum to match point last year at 14-9 before an improbable comeback by Magnum clinched their third straight title, will be back and looking for redemption.

Also returning will be the Beckers Bakery team which last year competed as Team Simmzy’s and is doing so again this year. The young team, consisting of several local volleyball stars, will look to improve on their impressive third place finish from last year. 

Indeed, players are coming from all over the globe for this year’s tournament, which concludes competition on Sunday with finals. Athletes from the Italian National Volleyball team are expected to play for a chance at ending Magnum’s winning streak. 

“Every year is a big year, but this year is particularly big,” said Olive. "It’s the 50th anniversary of 6-Man and it would mean that much more to us to bring home another title.”