Hitting the Beach: Beach Ball paying dividends for local athletes

Via VYPE

Originally Appeared on VYPE

IT'S A SPORT THAT FORCES YOU TO BE GOOD AT EVERYTHING. Every position. Every skill. Every portion of volleyball – hitting, serving, ball placement, communication and physical endurance – that usually takes six players to fully operate.

Instead, it is just you and one teammate, roaming a slightly smaller court. But the biggest difference is the fact that the hardwood floor that you would normally launch yourself off is replaced with the always shifting sand.

"Beach volleyball is extremely challenging," Goose Creek Memorial's Zoe Martinez, who first saw beach volleyball in a magazine when she was 10, said. "It tests all of your skills as a volleyball player."

Martinez and teammate Nadia Karabanoff of Barbers Hill accepted the challenging sport and qualified for the USAV Beach Nationals in California at a tournament in Galveston this past summer. This marked the third time Martinez has qualified for the national beach tournament.

Karabanoff, who is coming off a solid freshman season for the Eagles, is using her sand season to improve her indoor game, which she is hoping will pay off starting in August.

"The sprints, jumps and countless touches on the ball in the hot Texas sand have all taken part in preparing me for the upcoming fall season," Karabanoff said. "I feel that training in the sand not only elevates the physical skills of the game but also the mental. Working through my own mistakes and finding ways to correct them without the help of a coach develops me into an overall better player."


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Case Keenum is returning to the Houston Texans. Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images.

The Houston Texans signed their veteran quarterback, but it was not Jimmy Garoppolo.

Instead, the Texans signed Case Keenum to a two-year deal, according to multiple reports. The 35-year-old play caller has an extensive history with Houston. The University of Houston alumnus had two stints with the Texans going back to 2012-13 and 2014.

Garoppolo, who the Texans reportedly had interest in, agreed to a three-year, $67.5 million deal that includes $34 million in guaranteed money per Adam Schefter.

Houston’s move to bring in Keenum is a strong signal the team is eyeing selecting a quarterback with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Last week it was believed the Texans wanted to bring in Garoppolo to give a young quarterback time to develop behind an established starter.

Jimmy G’s hefty contract is likely a big reason why that did not happen. With Keenum, the Texans bring in an experienced quarterback that has played every role in the NFL. The deal will not become official until Wednesday.

He started out his pro career as a third-string quarterback with Houston, became a journey man and grew into a bona fide starter, which culminated with the Minneapolis Miracle that sent the Minnesota Vikings into the NFC Championship game in the 2017 season playoffs.

Keenum spent last season as a backup to Josh Allen with the Buffalo Bills. Keenum will provide whatever young quarterback the Texans bring in — likely one of CJ Stroud, Bryce Young, Anthony Richardson or Will Levis — a wealth of knowledge to being a playcaller in the NFL.

He is also a player, who’s days of being a starter are in the rearview mirror. Additionally, it never hurts to bring back a hometown hero.

The signing of Keenum could also signal the end of Davis Mills’ days with the Texans. The Stanford product has been the primary starter for the past two seasons with Houston. Being a third-string quarterback behind Keenum and a new first-round quarterback seems unlikely.

Houston has also reportedly signed former Denver Broncos running back Mike Boone to a two-year deal. He rushed for 102 total yards in nine games in 2022. The Texans also reportedly signed former Cleveland Browns defensive end Chase Winovich, who spent three seasons with the New England Patriots.

Winovich played in eight games for the Browns in 2022. He made 20 total tackles and had one sack for Cleveland.

Editor's note:

The Texans and former 49ers DT Hassan Ridgeway have agreed on a 1-year deal worth up to $4 million, per ProFootballTalk. Ridgeway started 7 games for San Francisco last year and recorded 1 sack and 4 QB hits. His familiarity with DeMeco Ryans' defense will certainly help his transition to Houston.

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