TRAVERSE CITY -- Graeme Placek wasn't sure about his family's chances during a four-person volleyball tournament, but the Traverse City teen was ecstatic with the results.
"We won the whole thing. It was fun," Graeme, 14, said.
Graeme and the rest of his family competed in the co-ed rec division of the National Cherry Festival's annual volleyball tournament held Sunday on West End Beach.
It's the family's second year competing in the tourney, and they enjoy it because it allows them to do something they love together as a family.
"I get to play with my kids, and I love volleyball," said Lisa Placek, who serves as varsity head coach at Traverse City West High School.
Graeme, Lisa's son, also enjoys facing off against new competitors.
"I most like playing with different people who aren't necessarily from Traverse City. Some people we played were from California and Chicago," he said. "It's fun to play with my family, too."
Graeme's father, Don, and sister, Katie, 11, filled out the Placek roster for the event.
The tournament is highlighted by diversity of players and level of competition, said Billy Gauthier, the event's director.
"You have families in the co-ed rec league to former collegiate players. Some are very focused and are here to win, they want the money; some are just here to have fun," Gauthier said.
The co-ed and women's open divisions are for more skilled players and they are awarded $120 for the first-place team and $80 for second. The rec division does not award prize money. Each participant gets a T-shirt and each team is guaranteed four to five rounds of play, depending on their bracket.
In their championship bid, the Placeks played their first match at 9 a.m., and the final match ended around 6 p.m.
Graeme Placek said the last game was probably the best they played all day. The family faced off against some former players of his mom's so they knew a couple of the people on the team, which made it fun. And the 22-20 final score made it suspenseful.
"It really is a great tournament because it allows families to go out and play together," Lisa said.
"They really do a good job of running the event and having the air show and other things to do make it fun," said Paul Bielby, of Grand Blanc.
Bielby has played in the tournament on and off for 10 years, but since he now has family in Traverse City area, it will be a regular stop.
"I see these returning faces every year. They enjoy the tournament so much they come back year-after-year," Gauthier said.
National Cherry Festival
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