Connor and Shaw Win 53rd Mother Lode Volleyball Classic in Aspen

Aspen —The 53rd Mother Lode Volleyball Classic concluded Monday at Koch Park in Aspen, with the open division finals deciding the new champions.

In the women’s final on the sand, Ella Connor and Molly Shaw defeated Macy Jerger and Tory Paranagua in a three-set match, winning 2-1. The men’s title went to Gage Basey and Thomas Hurst, who beat Wyatt Harrison and Charlie Siragusa in straight sets, 2-0. Basey is a Colorado native.

The Aspen Times reported on the results and provided photography from the event, captured by Austin Colbert. The tournament returned to Aspen this past week after a hiatus, marking its 53rd edition.

A significant shift in the event’s structure occurred this year with the involvement of the Association of Volleyball Professionals, or AVP. The AVP joined as a partner for the Mother Lode tournament, a relationship organizers expect to continue. This partnership included an AVP League event held at Koch Park in June, which Shaw also participated in. The open division tournaments during this week’s Mother Lode Classic were designated as part of the AVP’s 2026 Contenders series.

The competition took place on the sand courts at Koch Park, a familiar venue for local players and visitors. The event also included grass tournaments, with complete results from all divisions available online at letsgovolleyball.com/mother-lode-aspen/.

The finals drew attention to the competitive depth of the open divisions. In the men’s match, Harrison went on the attack while Hurst defended, a dynamic captured in photos from the day. In the women’s final, Connor was seen attacking while her opponent defended. The trophies for the winners waited on the sidelines before being handed out after the final point was played.

The integration of the AVP into the Mother Lode Classic signals a formalization of the event’s place in professional beach volleyball. By aligning with the AVP’s Contenders series, the tournament gains visibility and points for players competing in the professional circuit. For Aspen, this brings a high-profile sporting event to Koch Park, reinforcing the town’s role as a hub for volleyball.

The event concluded with the crowning of Connor and Shaw in the women’s division, and Basey and Hurst in the men’s division. The next Mother Lode tournament is expected to follow a similar format, with the AVP partnership continuing into future seasons.

As Shaw and her partner prepared to leave the sand, the focus turned to their next competition in the AVP circuit. To hear them tell it, the momentum from winning at home is a boost for their season.

"Being able to win in front of our own fans, with the AVP points on the line, it’s a really special feeling," Shaw said. "We’re looking forward to carrying that energy into the rest of the Contenders series."