The Kings Mountain Fog men's volleyball team defeated the defending champions, Sao Paulo Masters from Brazil, in the men's 55 and over division to win gold at the recent U.S. open volleyball tournament, held in Minneapolis May 23-30.

The Kings Mountain Fog 50s team also won gold and the Fog 60s won silver at the tournament, organized by USA Volleyball (usavolleyball.org). More than 400 team competed in about 20 divisions, said Linda Grazier, a spokesperson for the Fog teams.

Twenty teams competed in the 55s division, two from Brazil and one from Venezuela, giving the tournament "an international flavor," said Greg Close of the Kings Mountain Fog.

The Kings Mountain Fog 55s team includes coach and libero Greg Close, formerly of Kings Mountain and now living in Princeville, Hawaii; and outside hitter Frank Fredericksen of Menlo Park.

Mike Graham, a setter from Redwood City, was selected to the all-tournament 55s team.

The Kings Mountain Fog was formed 30 years ago with players from Kings Mountain, near Woodside. Greg Close is the only remaining original member. Both he and his wife Linda Grazier lived on Kings Mountain for 34 years, and currently live in Princeville, Hawaii. Another player on the team, Kirk Anderson, taught volleyball classes at Burgess Gym in Menlo Park, and coached the Menlo-Atherton High School girls volleyball team for many years.

Anderson also announces Stanford volleyball on Comcast and local cable. He currently runs the Industrial Volleyball League throughout the Peninsula. Many of the Fog members play at Burgess Gym on Thursday night.

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