Volleyball league serves up fun at Almost Saratoga pub on Route 9

Jul 04, 2010

By: Sam Hollingsworth

Brian Finn of the Sand Diggers sets the ball during a game on June 30 against the Mug Shots. (ED BURKE/The Saratogian)

BALLSTON SPA — Anyone who drives down Route 9 to or from Saratoga on a Wednesday evening has probably seen some of the volleyball action at Almost Saratoga, a local pub just south of Exit 13.

Players are used to repeated horn beeps and the occasional screams from a passing car window during the three-hour co-ed weekly games.

“They want to make sure we know there’s a highway running next the courts,” said Scotia resident Chris Morgan, a player for team Spike ’Em. “That or they just want to mess us up.”

It doesn’t usually work, though. The Almost Saratoga Summer Beach Volleyball League is the real deal, though it’s all in good fun.

The league, made up of ex-volleyball players, coaches and lots of other local athletes, is in its third year. There are 10 teams, all serious about playing in any weather to get their chance at unseating the reigning back-to-back champions, Bove’s Big Bar.

“It’s named after my dad’s bar,” said Mechanicville native Jimmy Sullivan, one of Bove’s Big Bar’s team members. “We’re the defending champs.”

The rest of the competition is aware that since Almost Saratoga was opened at the 2839 Route 9 location and began the league, there has only been one champ.

“We’re definitely gunning for them,” Malta reside Mark Phelps said. “Everybody here is.”

Lori Ely, of the Sand Diggers, severs during a game on June 30. (ED BURKE/The Saratogian)

The rules are simple: Up to six players on the court for each team at a given time, with at least two of those players being women. Each team rotates when serving possession changes, and each team has a maximum of three hits to get the ball over the net to the other team.

“It’s been a success simply because people are showing up and having a good time,” league coordinator Kevin Auman said. “We’ll keep doing this as long as people want to play volleyball.”

Games are scheduled for 6, 7 and 8 p.m. on Wednesday nights, with both of the Almost Saratoga sand volleyball courts being used for the first two games and the final contest of the night being played under the lights on whichever court the teams prefer to play on.

Besides the volleyball competition on the courts and the outdoor bar with bucket specials and margaritas, Almost Saratoga usually provides some sort of live entertainment. There have been music performers nearly every week since the season began and, rain or shine, volleyball is being played.

“We’ve been out here in the pouring rain and we’ve been out here when it was 90 degrees,” Stillwater resident Dave Metcalf said. “It’s fun in any weather, and our team thrives in it all.”

The first team to score 25 points (win by two) wins the match, with three matches making up a complete game. After the regular season, which runs from late May through August, seedings are given to each team for the end-of-the-season, winner-take-all tournament on Saturday, Aug. 21.

The league, which is open to anyone willing to participate over the age of 21, is currently full for the season but will be accepting applications for next season at Almost Saratoga, at 587-0048.

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