Beach volleyball isn't just popular on the coasts and in sunshine-filled states.

It's booming all over the Midwest, including Lake County.

"Chicago was always the second biggest market for volleyball behind California," said Jerry De Laurentis, the owner of Sideouts Bar and Eatery in Island Lake.

He should know. De Laurentis oversees nearly 1,500 players divided into 311 teams that play on the six outdoor sand courts he and his family have added to the bar since 1994.

"Beach volleyball is very popular in this area," De Laurentis said. "We're cooped up inside all winter long. People have cabin fever around here. [With volleyball], you're outside, you can play with your wife, you can play with your daughter – anyone can play, really. You can come out with no experience and play."

In fact, 80 percent of his players participate in recreation leagues, De Laurentis said. The remaining percentage compete in intermediate and competitive leagues.

But what exactly draws people to the beach, err, sand?

"I think it's because it's more of a relaxed sport," said Barb Perez, general manager for Jesse Oaks in Gages Lake, which boasts at least 165 beach volleyball teams a summer. "These guys get competitive, but it's a little more relaxed."

That's exactly why members of the Rough Sets team play at Jesse Oaks on Monday nights.

"I always liked to play, but I didn't like how everything was structured in school," said team member Allison Chesters of Antioch. "[Beach volleyball] is a fun get-together with friends."

"I live across the street," her teammate Dave Bertholomey of Gages Lake said. "It's exercise, sun and beer."

Then there are the ladies of M.O.B. – the Mean Old Babes – that have played sports together for nearly two decades. They, too, liked the feel of a beach volleyball game more than other sports, and switched from diamond dirt to favor the sandpit. They now play in an intermediate beach volleyball league at Sideouts.

"Some of us played softball together," M.O.B. member Vicki Dolan of Crystal Lake said. "Then some of them started playing volleyball, and they asked me to join. So, I quit softball because this is so fun ... It's kind of like a beach party atmosphere. Softball is more rigid."

Plus, volleyball is more of a workout, M.O.B. captain Donna Chesler of Johnsburg said.
"We want to stay in shape because we're all older," Chesler said. "You're more active. In softball, you stand around a lot."

Most beach volleyball participants said age doesn't matter in bar leagues. While the Rough Sets are in their mid- to late 20s, the M.O.B. squad ranges from mid-40s to early 50s. Both teams have found their niche in their respective leagues, they said.

Many people have played volleyball their entire lives, as well. Take Phil Nicodemus of Grayslake. The 47-year-old started playing volleyball more than 20 years ago with family members, then gradually began playing co-ed volleyball as a way to meet girls, he said.

"I've been playing since I was in my early 20s," Nicodemus said. "Once you get into it and you find a group of people to play with, it's a bunch of fun. It keeps you active."

Beer, babes and a beach atmosphere – that's what brings people back to the sport year after year, De Laurentis said.

"What a great sport," De Laurentis said. "You're out in the sun; you have barely any clothes on ... it's a blast. It's more of a party."

If you're not ready to join a league, but want to see competitive action, you're still in luck, De Laurentis said.

"Come out and sit on the deck and watch at least 40 teams any given night," he said. "It's great because there's always people here."

Want to play?

Fall league registration will begin soon at both Jesse Oaks and Sideouts Bar and Eatery.
Jesse Oaks is located at 18490 West Old Gages Lake Road in Gages Lake. For more information, visit www.jesseoaks.com or call 847 223-2575.
Sideouts is located at 4018 Roberts Road in Island Lake. For more information, visit www.sideouts.com/Volleyball.aspx or call 847-526-7174.