The Iowa Games added a new event this year in sand volleyball, which was held at the north end of the Southeast Athletic Complex on Saturday. The event included two versus two in male and female divisions.

“Sand volleyball was added this year because we had the facilities to hold the competition, and with the new courts put in at the intramural fields, it seemed like the best possible time to start it,” said Amy Wilson, assistant director of operations for the Iowa Games.

Not much time was given to get the word out about the new event, Wilson said, and only five teams participated.

One of these teams was Spiked Punch, composed of members including Kimberly Vanwestern, 317 South 2nd St. and Mike Jondle, Ames.

“I heard about the new event through competing in [six vs. six volleyball] in last week’s Iowa Games,” Vanwestern said. Her team finished with the silver medal.

“I’ve been competing in volleyball competitively since high school, then intramurals and this is my second year playing at the Iowa Games,” she said. “I love the competitive aspect of the Iowa Games. Being able to reunite with friends and have a great time I think is what attracts people to these games.”

Spiked Punch finished second only to team Flying J’s, which is composed of Josh Finch, 4011 Lincoln Way, and Leslie Westgate, Ames.

“The tournament was short lived; we only played three games, but we took the gold and didn’t lose, so you can’t be unhappy about that,” said Finch, who has been playing competitively for the past five to six years. He also has competed in archery and disc golf in past years at the Iowa Games.

Only five teams and ten people participated in the first-year event, but Wilson said it will continue to be offered, and hopefully will grow.

“As long as we have interest in sand volleyball and have someone to help run it, we will continue to offer it to the public,” she said.