Beach volleyball fans will get to see some of the top players in the world in action this weekend as the AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour Inc. makes its return to Seaside Heights.
More than 150 of the top professional beach volleyball athletes, including Kerri Walsh, Misty May-Treanor, Rachel Wacholder, Sean Scott, Stein Metzger and Karch Kiraly, will compete in The AVP Seaside Heights Open, presented by Bud Light, which will kick off with a qualifier on Thursday and continue through the weekend with the men’s and women’s finals on Sunday.
The AVP Seaside Heights Open presented by Bud Light marks AVP’s first return to Seaside Heights since 1995.
Karch Kiraly and Kent Steffes won the men’s event in 1993, while Nancy Reno and Holly McPeak won the women’s tournament. As a men’s-only event in 1995, Adam Johnson and Jose Loiola took first place.
“We are thrilled to bring the excitement of AVP back to Seaside Heights,” said Leonard Armato, CEO and tour commissioner. “Since our first appearance there in the early ’90s, the loyal and enthusiastic fan base in Seaside Heights has continued to grow and we look forward to bringing the sport of beach volleyball back to their beach. Together with Positive Impact Partners, a great partner of the Tour, we will work hard to again make Seaside Heights one of the premier stops on the AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour.”
Through its partnership with AVP, the New Jersey-based Positive Impact Partners will be responsible for generating all local revenue for the tournament including tickets, concessions, sponsorships and hospitality. The company has been involved with AVP for the past three years as its partner in the former Belmar Open.
Tickets for all 2006 AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour events are now available for purchase through AVP’s Web site, www.avp.com/tickets. Fans can also purchase tickets to the AVP Seaside Heights Open by calling 1-877-AVP-TIXX.