Favorites Come Through

Californians Karch Kiraly, of San Clemente, and partner Kent Steffes of Pacific Palisades, knew that Mike Dodd and Mike Whitmarsh would make a run - they always do.

So, with an eight-point lead in the championship match of the Miller Lite U.S. Championships, Kiraly and Steffes refused to relax. And barely hung on.

Taking advantage of the expiration of the game clock, Kiraly and Steffes defeated their rivals Sunday, 13-10, to earn the volleyball title. Dodd and Whitmarsh battled back from a 10-2 deficit to close to 10-8 before Kiraly and Steffes were able to stretch the lead again.