Hill Section resident Sunny Villapando's team, "Gummy Gainz," won the Manhattan Beach Charlie Saikley Six Man/Woman Volleyball tournament on August 2nd and 3rd, at the pier in Manhattan Beach.

This annual event celebrated its 50th anniversary drawing over 50,000 attendees, making it the largest 6-person beach volleyball tournament in the USA.  The team was coached by Sunny and her best friend/former beach partner, Rio Frohoff. 

The South Bay (MB, HB, RB) team members included: Sunny Villapando, Oliva Bakos, Ava Gallien, Rochelle Scott, Kate Riley, Rio Frohoff and Maya Harvey.

The Gummy Gainz Girls dominated the tournament. After a perfect record on Day 1, the only loss on the tournament was a nail biter in the semifinals. Team GG battled back through the contenders bracket, beating a tough team stacked with former Olympians, April Ross and Alix Klineman, to earn their spot in the finals. 

With the tournament’s double elimination format, GG had to beat their opponent in the finals not once, but twice, to solidify their win on the weekend and they did just that. EVERY girl representing Gummy Gainz this weekend was all the way bought in, and by the way that each person was cheering and supporting one another you’d think this team had played together for a lifetime!

Sunny exclaimed, “Winning the Manhattan Beach 6-man in my hometown with childhood friends, old teammates, and former collegiate rivals meant everything to me. This tournament is about stamina, competitive greatness, and above all else, family. My team had it all. I could not be more proud of the way we lifted each other up all weekend long.”

Fueled by Gummy Gainz – a high protein recovery candy brand co-founded by Sunny https://gummygainz.co/, - the team was outfitted by Left on Friday, a premium active swimwear brand, started by two incredible women – Laura Low Ah Kee and Shannon Savage: https://www.leftonfriday.com.

Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez also supported the team with hats, backpacks, and variety of her incredible beauty products. https://www.rarebeauty.com/

Chef David Slay who owns Slay Steak & Fish House, Slay Italian Kitchen, Slay Hermosa provided food for the team throughout the weekend.

Nick Cavallo, who owns six Subways in the South bay provided sandwiches, chips, and cookies

Additional supporters:  Skechers, Tabalipa Wine Co, Dunkin Doughnuts, Waiakea Water, Bandero Premium Tequila, Kona Big Wave, One Soma body work, Dr. Price’s Electrolytes, StarLink.

Sunny is an All American Volleyball Player from Standford and went on to win the 2022 National Champion title as a graduate student with USC. 

Sunny’s cell 310-941-9015

Email:  sunnyvillapando6@gmail.com 

Instagram: @sunnykalaniii