CHICAGO — Cody Caldwell left Loyola University as a conquering hero at the pinnacle of the men’s indoor collegiate game. He will return to the Windy City on Friday for the AVP Gold Series Chicago Open beach volleyball tournament with substantially more sand swagger than he enjoyed in previous seasons.
A memorable run to the semifinals with partner Seain Cook in the iconic grandaddy of beach volleyball, the Manhattan Beach Open, two weekends ago in Southern California will do wonders for one’s outlook.
“Third place at Manhattan was a great finish and it always feels good when you get something you can hold on to,” Caldwell said earlier in the week after a practice session at blustery Oak Street Beach in 17-mph wind howling off Lake Michigan. “As athletes, we’re never really satisfied, we’re always looking for more.
“But it’s a great feeling, especially since it might move me up in the ranks. Maybe make my road a little easier, start kind of carving my way into the top teams. So I’m super stoked to be back in Chicago. This is my favorite AVP of the year. I’m fired up for this weekend.”
Chicago fans likely will be fired up to see him.
Caldwell was a key contributor to NCAA champions in 2014 and…
