Titles claimed on final day of Rumble
POTTSTOWN » It was nothing but good times and good vibes Sunday afternoon as thousands of players and spectators gathered at Memorial Park in Pottstown to celebrate the annual Pottstown Rumble.
The Rumble, which is the country’s largest grass volleyball tournament, is in its 27th year and is truly an experience for the whole family.
Ken Kaas, the organizer and director of the event, has been a part of the Rumble since 1991 and still sees the excitement people get around this time of year.
“Remember when you were a kid and you had that feeling in your stomach about Christmas,” Kaas said. “Everyone get’s that feeling back when they’re here.”
The Rumble welcomes players and fans of all ages as it hosts thousands of professionals and amateurs who are looking to spend their weekend playing the sport they love. Hundreds of courts were set up in the fields of Memorial Park as spectators shaded themselves from the beating sun under tents and trees.
“I love it here,” said Pittsburgh native Jan Novak. “This is my first time being here and I’m honestly really impressed. This place has everything you want in a relaxing Sunday afternoon.”
Although for some it may be their first time experiencing the Rumble, for many, the tournament holds a special place in their hearts. With this being it’s 27th year of existence, the Rumble is home to many seasoned vets who have seen this event grow over the years.
“I’ve been coming to the Rumble since I was four years old when my dad use to play,” said Maryland native and ex George Mason player Eric Lucas. “That was really how I learned how to play volleyball by coming here.”
The Rumble concluded Sunday afternoon with the playoffs of both the Men’s and Women’s Open divisions. The round of 64 in the women’s division ended with the crowning of the Kleespies sisters, Cassie and MacKenzie, from West Grove. The first time winners couldn’t have been happier to get the finals monkey off their back.
“We’ve been playing in this tournament for 4-5 years now,” said Cassie. “First couple years we made it to the quarterfinals and got stuck, and last year we finally made the big hop to finals. With this year, we were like ‘Ok, we’ve been in the finals before. We are more mature and we know what to expect, lets take it.’”
And take it they did as Cassie and MacKenzie walked away from the tournament as champions and a hefty $3,000 check to boot. From playing volleyball together ever since they could walk, the Rumble has offered the sisters a unique experience they couldn’t get anywhere else.
“I really enjoy coming here because it’s just crazy to play around this many people,” said MacKenzie. “We have tournaments where there’s only ten to twelve teams, and then you come here and play where there’s high forties and fifties.”
After the women’s final, the Rumble lived up to its rain or shine billing, as there was a short rain delay between the two championships. Once the rain cleared, it was the men’s turn to get a crack at the $7,000 prize. Ultimately, it was Kameron Beans and Garret Dimm who walked away from the tournament as champions, ending their Pottstown Rumble title drought.
“The last few years I have been stuck in the quarterfinals, so this feels good,” said Beans. “I’m just still stuck in the moment, this is awesome.”
At the end of the day, the Pottstown Rumble signifies more than just a volleyball tournament. It shows the good a community can do in getting everyone together and carrying on a tradition like no other.
“The tradition here is just great,” said Lucas. “With coming here every year since I was a kid, you see the same people and the same families, but you watch them grow and then they have kids. And so you got this next generation of Rumblers coming up and it’s just amazing.”