VOLLEYBALL : Life on the Beach Tour Fits Chisholm’s Style, and She Finds Bigger Purses Suit Her, Too

At 6 feet, 2 inches, Linda Chisholm is the tallest player on the Women’s Professional Volleyball Assn. beach tour. Being that tall has its shortcomings. For instance, it can be a little tough to find a pair of pumps that fit, and other such stylish accessories are even more difficult to come by.

As far as her game is concerned, though, Chisholm has found the 2-year-old tour to be a perfect fit.

Finding a purse that’s the right size is getting easier, too.

Chisholm, 29, won the largest purse in WPVA history when she teamed with Jackie Silva to win the $10,000 Le Coq Sportif Championships at Hermosa Beach last weekend. Chisholm and Silva earned $3,200, defeating Kathy Gregory and Janice Opalinski, 15-8, in the Sunday final.

The victory was no fluke--Chisholm’s team has been in vogue all summer, winning five tournaments in six starts. Chisholm and Silva each have won $4,200, which leads the WPVA.

Silva, who played against Chisholm in 1984 as a member of the Brazilian Olympic team, provides the perfect on-sand chemistry for the lanky Chisholm. Last year, Silva was a tour also-ran. This year, the pair has kicked sand in everyone’s face.

Chisholm’s play has been a definite problem for competitors to overcome. Once she made the transition from hardwood to soft sand--she played the indoor version at Pepperdine and abroad in addition to the Olympics--the team scaled the heights of success.

“It takes about three weeks to get your sand legs,” Chisholm said, “You know, to get that balance, to build up the strength in your legs.”

Chisholm and Silva will attempt to continue their strong play in the Reebok World Championships in Pismo Beach on Saturday and Sunday, an event that features $4,000 in first-place money. It will surpass the Hermosa event as the richest ever.