
Juan Virgen of Mexico basks in the moment
With 2017 here, it’s time to take a look back at 20 of my favorite sports photos of 2016.
A couple of highlights from last year include shooting lacrosse for the first time and getting to see dozens of Olympians from all over the world compete at the FIVB Long Beach Grand Slam less than a week after the Rio 2016 Olympics.
Occidental lacrosse player jumps in anticipation during a match against St. Mary’s

Betsi Metter Flint (USA) dives to make a one-handed dig at FIVB Long Beach Grand Slam/ASICS World Series of Beach Volleyball

Branagan Fuller shows perfect form at AVP Huntington Beach

Brooke Sweat (USA) extends to make contact with the ball at FIVB Long Beach Grand Slam/ASICS World Series of Beach Volleyball

Irene Pollock shows off her hops at the net at an AVP Huntington Beach center court match

Former Olympian Dave McKienzie goes airborne at AVP Manhattan Beach

Emily Stockman gets beneath the ball at AVP Manhattan Beach

Big men Phil Dalhausser (USA) and Evandro Goncalves Oliveira Junior (Brasil) face off in the gold medal match at the FIVB Long Beach Grand Slam/ASICS World Series of Beach Volleyball

FSU beach volleyball alum Jace Pardon dives for the ball at an AVP Manhattan Beach match

Juan Virgen (Mexico) flexes in a FIVB Long Beach Grand Slam/ASICS World Series of Beach Volleyball main draw match against Canada

Katrin Holtwick (Germany) shows her approval at FIVB Long Beach Grand Slam/ASICS World Series of Beach Volleyball

Loyola Marymount player get her fingertips on ball at West Coast Conference Championship tournament

The joy of surviving the qualifier bracket to advance to the main draw of the AVP Manhattan Beach

Liliana Fernandez Steiner (Spain) shouts in jubilation during semifinal match against Germany at FIVB Long Beach Grand Slam/ASICS World Series of Beach Volleyball

Melissa Humana-Paredes (Canada) at FIVB Long Beach Grand Slam/ASICS World Series of Beach Volleyball

Nevada Reno player is denied by UC Santa Cruz goalie at Western Women’s Lacrosse League (WWLL) Championships in Santa Barbara

Nick Lucena (USA) scrambles to make the dig in the gold medal match of the FIVB Long Beach Grand Slam/ASICS World Series of Beach Volleyball

Sheila Shaw at AVP Manhattan Beach

Taylor Crabb at AVP Huntington Beach

Victory Select teammates celebrate a goal at the Oceanside Hustle lacrosse tournament
