• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Valentine's Day Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Key Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Key Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Valentine's Day Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

PHOTO GALLERY: Dig The Beach!


  • By Rachel S. OHara
  • | 4:00 a.m. July 9, 2011
  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • Share
PHOTO GALLERY: Dig The Beach!
Livia Mendonca hits the ball as Melissa Roberts prepares to help out her teammate during the Siesta Key Gulf Open, Saturday, July 9 at Siesta Key Beach.
Livia Mendonca hits the ball as Melissa Roberts prepares to help out her teammate during the Siesta Key Gulf Open, Saturday, July 9 at Siesta Key Beach.
Chris Sweat prepares to hit the ball while his brother and teammate, Nick, stays on his toes during the Siesta Key Gulf Open, Saturday, July 9 at Siesta Key Beach.
Chris Sweat prepares to hit the ball while his brother and teammate, Nick, stays on his toes during the Siesta Key Gulf Open, Saturday, July 9 at Siesta Key Beach.
The top two women’s teams in the Open division play one another during the Siesta Key Gulf Open, Saturday, July 9 at Siesta Key Beach.
The top two women’s teams in the Open division play one another during the Siesta Key Gulf Open, Saturday, July 9 at Siesta Key Beach.
Shayna Munson goes for the ball Saturday, July 9 at Siesta Key Beach.
Shayna Munson goes for the ball Saturday, July 9 at Siesta Key Beach.
Kendra Van Zweiten gets ready to spike the ball during the Siesta Key Gulf Open, Saturday, July 9 at Siesta Key Beach.
Kendra Van Zweiten gets ready to spike the ball during the Siesta Key Gulf Open, Saturday, July 9 at Siesta Key Beach.
Shayna Munson serves up the ball during the Siesta Key Gulf Open, Saturday, July 9 at Siesta Key Beach.
Shayna Munson serves up the ball during the Siesta Key Gulf Open, Saturday, July 9 at Siesta Key Beach.
Livia Mendonca serves the ball on Saturday, July 9 at Siesta Key Beach.
Livia Mendonca serves the ball on Saturday, July 9 at Siesta Key Beach.
Livia Mendonca serves the ball while her teammate, Melissa Roberts, stays on her toes during their game against Kendra Van Zweiten and Shayna Munson in the Siesta Key Gulf Open, Saturday, July 9 at Siesta Key Beach.
Livia Mendonca serves the ball while her teammate, Melissa Roberts, stays on her toes during their game against Kendra Van Zweiten and Shayna Munson in the Siesta Key Gulf Open, Saturday, July 9 at Siesta Key Beach.
Steve Grotowski serves the ball Saturday, July 9 at Siesta Key Beach.
Steve Grotowski serves the ball Saturday, July 9 at Siesta Key Beach.
Chris Sweat gets ready to spike the ball while Steve Grotowski prepares to block the ball Saturday, July 9 at Siesta Key Beach.
Chris Sweat gets ready to spike the ball while Steve Grotowski prepares to block the ball Saturday, July 9 at Siesta Key Beach.
Adrian Carambula goes up to spike the ball as his teammate, Steve Grotowski, looks on during the Siesta Key Gulf Open, Saturday, July 9 at Siesta Key Beach.
Adrian Carambula goes up to spike the ball as his teammate, Steve Grotowski, looks on during the Siesta Key Gulf Open, Saturday, July 9 at Siesta Key Beach.
Volleyball player Monica Fernandez sits with her friends Rebecca Iglesias, Laura Diaz, Alina Diaz and Rebecca Diaz during a break from playing during the Siesta Key Gulf Open Saturday, July 9 at Siesta Key Beach.
Volleyball player Monica Fernandez sits with her friends Rebecca Iglesias, Laura Diaz, Alina Diaz and Rebecca Diaz during a break from playing during the Siesta Key Gulf Open Saturday, July 9 at Siesta Key Beach.
Chris Colgan and Steve Bishop
Chris Colgan and Steve Bishop
Adrian Carambula gets ready to set the ball for his teammate, Steve Grotowski, during the Siesta Key Gulf Open, Saturday, July 9 at Siesta Key Beach.
Adrian Carambula gets ready to set the ball for his teammate, Steve Grotowski, during the Siesta Key Gulf Open, Saturday, July 9 at Siesta Key Beach.
Hundreds of people came out to watch and play in the Siesta Key Gulf Open, Saturday, July 9 at Siesta Key Beach.
Hundreds of people came out to watch and play in the Siesta Key Gulf Open, Saturday, July 9 at Siesta Key Beach.
Volleyball teammates Stacy Werse and Melissa Perkins pose with their friend, Victor Davis, Saturday, July 9 at Siesta Key Beach.
Volleyball teammates Stacy Werse and Melissa Perkins pose with their friend, Victor Davis, Saturday, July 9 at Siesta Key Beach.

 

Latest News

From left to right: Chris Vito, Penny Sellers, Dave Boone and Cathy Boone play a game of pickleball at the multipurpose Bayfront Park courts in Longboat Key Friday, Sept. 19.
  • February 9, 2026
New impact fee may replace land acquisition fees
Valor Commons in Manatee County is designed to include a resource center, memorials, walking trails and public event spaces.
  • February 9, 2026
Federal cash streams in for Manatee, Sarasota projects
Cyclist killed on Siesta Key
  • February 8, 2026
Cyclist killed on Siesta Key
Suncoast Waterkeepers regularly tests water quality at 12 sites in Sarasota Bay and its adjacent waters, including the Linley Street boat ramp on Longboat Key.
  • February 7, 2026
Sarasota, Manatee bayside beaches graded for water safety

Sponsored Health Content

Sponsored Content

The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest in Neighbors

Sarasota nonprofit Casting For The Kids helps children with cancer and their families breathe a little easier.
  • February 6, 2026
Annual fishing tournament casts for a cause
Thomas Modly adjusts the flagpoles as the sun sets.
  • February 5, 2026
Patriots Pier in Siesta Key receives new flagpoles
Jennifer Rominiecki brought the living museum concept to Marie Selby Botanical Gardens when she was named president and CEO in 2015.
  • February 5, 2026
Botanical gardens' potential lured Rominiecki family to Sarasota
Perfectly in sync, Ski-A-Rees skiers Natalie Brannon, Debbie Brannon, Ella Walker and Steph Ouellette skim across Sarasota Bay, blending athleticism and grace.
  • February 5, 2026
From flips to ballet, Ski-A-Rees have done it all on the water since 1957
Sarah Firstenberger was named CEO of the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce in June.
  • February 4, 2026
Siesta Key Chamber’s new leader takes the helm
Chamber launches summertime internship program
  • February 4, 2026
Chamber launches summertime internship program

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2026 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.


The Your Observer App is Here!

Get local news you can trust — now on your phone, tablet or laptop. Fast. Free. Easy to Use.
Stay informed, wherever you are.

Download Now