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.