“It was fun. It was an amazing event,” said New Ulm Area Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Sarah Warmka. “Every year, I’m so inspired by al the volunteers and community support and spirit. I only heard great things about it. I think everybody had a great time.”

Jacob Omtvedt of Alexandria, put together “Buskey,” a team based in Crestview, Fl that competed in Division A.

Omtvedt’s father Dave opened the U.S. Juniors Volleyball Academy in 2007 in Mankato. In 2012, he founded the U.S. Juniors Beach Volleyball Club in Daphne, Al. Which focuses on developing fundamentally sound volleyball players for all age groups.

Dave Omtvedt created advanced hitting equipment, video analysis and training protocols and technology to measure volleyball players known as SoloSpike.

Finnley Arndt (back) and Tristian Arndt dig into the Spikin’ in the Street sand hill set aside for kids to play on during the volleyball tournaments.

Jacob Omtvedt said his dad’s Florida beach volleyball team originally practiced on courts at a restaurant in Alabama before growing into one of the largest beach volleyball programs in Alabama.

Jacob Omtvedt played football at St. John’s University and now works in commercial real estate in Alexandria.

He was impressed with Spikin in the Street volleyball tournament.

“This is pretty cool playing on sand in the street. I’ve never seen a tournament like this,” said Omtvedt whose team lost to Black Frost/Schaefer Well Co. of New Ulm Saturday afternoon.

“They (Black Frost/Schaefer Well Co.) were a hand full,” he said.

Staff photo by Fritz Busch Conner Nelson, left, of Black Frost/Schaefer Well Co. avoids a block attempt in Division A play.

In Division C, Gag Sheet Metal of New Ulm had a tight game with a St. Paul team wearing cone-shaped, party hats, called “Bump, Set, Buy Me a Shot.”

Joey Gag of Gag Sheet Metal used his feet to hit some volleyball shots he otherwise couldn’t reach.

“I played soccer,” said Gag. “It’s natural. It might work one out of ten times. I like playing volleyball with my friends. Right now, I like volleyball better than soccer because I don’t have to run so much. We’re having a blast.”

Another Gag Sheet Metal player, Tyler Bleess, said he’s played baseball more than volleyball, but still enjoys staying active.

“It’s a great day playing volleyball. It’s not too hot. We’re having fun. We won two games and lost two,” he said.

Megan Fingland delivers an underhand serve for her team Can-Am during the Spikin’ in the Street tournament. Fingland was on the team with her cousins and friends, some of whom were Canadian citizens, which inspired the name Can-Am.

Brian Stade of Litchfield came to Spikin in the Street from Litchfield to watch his daughter play for a Hutchinson team.

“It’s fun. They do a good job here,” said Stade. “The teams are competitive. There’s a lot of vendors on the street. It’s a beautiful day. I’m amazed how they get the sand in and out of the street. It’s about good people. Everybody has a good time. It’s absolutely user-friendly. It’s a good tournament to play in.”

Stade said he’s traveled to other volleyball tournaments in Buffalo Lake, Waverly, Hutchinson, and others.

“I used to play in the Hutchinson Recreation Center,” he said. “I taught my daughter Michaela how to play,” he said. “It’s a good team sport. Over the years I’ve coached and officiated volleyball, I’ve met a lot of people and built a lot of relationships. Most people are pretty good sports about it, win or lose.”

Hutchinson Coach Ron Hettinger said he was really impressed with the tournament.

Staff photo by Fritz Busch Gag Sheet Metal players pictured from left, Tyler Bleess, Riley Melby and Joey Gag battle a St. Paul team called Bump, Set, Buy us a Shot in Division C play.

“With all the businesses here, this is absolutely the best tournament we play in all year. The crowd is fun. There are waitresses and waiters walking around the crowd. We play in tournaments just about every weekend including the Twin Cities too. We look forward to this every year. We won Class C so we’ll probably step up to Class B next year,” said Hettinger.

Team 4 of Morgan won the Division A gold bracket. Is it in? of Spicer was second. Black Frost/Schaefer Well & Crane of New Ulm won the silver bracket. Spike Tyson of Truman was second.

B division winners were Block Party-Comstock, Dakota City, Ne., Luther Mankato Honda, Over Served of Sioux Falls and Chop Shop Aces, Sleepy Eye. B division second-place finishers were DeMars Fire, St. Bonifacious, Big Digz Akely, KNUJ Ninjas and Powerhouse Nutrition, both of New Ulm.

C division winners were Blockin Ballz Hutchinson, Green Shield New Ulm, Teeny Tiny Chewblockas Eagle Lake and Upset Spike, New Ulm. Second-place went to Sun of a Beach Corcoran, Big Dig Energy Faribault, GSM New Ulm and Hausman Heat Eden Prairie.

Recreation division winners were Tavern 507, Calm Yo Tips, Sioux Valley Masonry, all of New Ulm and Eckberg Power Mankato. Second-place went to Loverude Farms, Can-Am, Pass & Hitties and AMPI, New Ulm.

Leah Pekrul, owner of downtown business Sweet Haven Tonics, serves drinks out the window of her shop while Spikin’ on the Street teams serve volleyballs. The sand volleyball tournament allowed the rare opportunity to serve customers from the sidewalk.

Leah Pekrul of Sweet Haven Tonic, crosses the street to provide sidewalk serve drinks to Garrett Freeman in front of the American Family Insurance office. Photo By Clay Schuldt

The third annual Spikin’ in the Street brought 88 volleyball teams and several tons of sand to Minnesota Street. This year eight sand volleyball courts were setup in New Ulm’s downtown town.

Pat Woratschka, dressed as “Poppy” the Brown County Historical Society popcorn wagon mascot, visits the downtown Spikin’ on the Street event to encourage guests to visit the wagon a block up on Broadway.

Grace Raatz serves up the volleyball for the New Ulm Chamber’s team as part of the Park & Rec tournament division. Raatz said it was a difficult competition. Her team won their first game but struggled to win after. Raatz said she does plan to be part of the team next year.