Bars uncertain about showing volleyball game

Owner of Long Beach-based Cirivellos says he's 80 to 90 percent sure he will televise it

By Wes Woods, On-Line Forty-Niner

Thursday, August 27, 1998

When the first women's volleyball preseason game starts this Friday in Albuquerque, N.M., eager audiences might run into some problems catching the game on live television.

It seems the two local bars who have access to the satellite feed won't be sure until tip-off whether they'll be televising the game.

"We're victims of ESPN. If ESPN puts up a signal to scramble the satellite feed, Cirivellos will run into problems, if not, everything's fine."

-Angelio Picarelli,

Manager of Cirivellos

Both Peter Derham, the manager of Legends, located on 5236 E. 2nd St., and Angello Picarelli, the manager of Cirivellos, located on 4151 Viking Way, make no promises about live Long Beach State action.

However, ESPN2 will be televising the matches as well, but on tape-delay at 8 p.m.

"We're victims of ESPN," said Picarelli. "If ESPN puts up a signal to scramble the satellite feed, Cirivellos will run into problems, if not, everything's fine. We're 80 to 90 percent sure we'll show it."

Legends will know by 4:30 p.m. on Friday.

While a satellite company is scheduled to work on the machine this week, Derham said they may not show up. The only certainty is that the 49ers will be playing at 6 p.m.

Women's head coach Brian Gimmillaro is confident but cautious going into the first game because of injuries.

With Veronica Walls out, Brandy Barr questionable until the start of the game and Jess Alvarado and Mariah Marquis both probable, the team won't have their normal starting lineup on the floor. "We'll just have to adjust to whomever we have healthy," Gimmillaro said.

He believes the 49ers have more depth than the teams at the tournament and anticipates facing No. 3-ranked USC in the finals.

"How we match up with them, I don't know," Gimmillaro said.

His main concern is Long Beach going through the preseason without any serious injuries.

Despite the immense pressure of being No. 1, Gimmillaro said he looks at it as more of an opportunity rather than a hindrance.

The great thing is that every college is competing for the great prize, he said.

Looking ahead to the Long Beach State tournament, Gimmillaro said he hopes "there's a struggle for tickets." He said he wants California and Washington to "realize the genuine spirit this university has."

The Long Beach State Tournament takes place at the Pyramid on Sept. 4-5.