The stadium court at an AVP Crocs Tour event, shown here during a recent event in Huntington Beach, is often filled to capacity with screaming fans for the men's and women's finals. Photos courtesy of AVP
AVP Crocs Tour beach volleyball player April Ross sets a ball during a recent match. Ross and playing partner Jenn Kessy are the third-ranked women's team on the tour.
AVP Crocs Tour beach volleyball player Sean Scott leaps at the net during a recent match. Scott and teammate John Hyden have finished third and fifth in two tournaments this season.
Professional beach volleyball's only stop in San Diego, the AVP Crocs Tour San Diego, will take place May 1-3 at Harrah's Rincon Casino & Resort in Valley Center.
The best athletes on the beach, including 2008 Olympic gold medalists Phil Dalhausser and Todd Rogers, will take to the sand to see who reigns supreme.
The three-day, single-to-double elimination tournament combines elite athletic competition with a beach party atmosphere. In addition to Dalhausser and Rogers, top players and Beijing Olympians Nicole Branagh, Elaine Youngs, Jake Gibb and Sean Rosenthal will compete, along with three-time Olympian Holly McPeak.
Main Draw play begins Friday, May 1 and will conclude with both men's and women's finals on Sunday, May 3.
"We are excited to try something new and different in the San Diego area," said Jason Hodell, the CEO of AVP Pro Beach Volleyball. "Harrah's Rincon has been an excellent partner for us and will provide the perfect backdrop for our high-energy, exciting sport, and we couldn't be more thrilled to be bringing our third stop of the AVP Crocs Tour season to fans in San Diego."
The event is the first of its kind at Harrah's. Previously, the AVP Crocs Tour's San Diego stop has taken place on the beach; this year's stop will be one of two taking place at a casino, as 3,500 tons of sand will be trucked in to re-create the beach and allow for multiple courts featuring non-stop beach volleyball action.
The AVP Crocs Tour San Diego will be held on Friday, May 1 from 1-9 p.m.; Saturday, May 2 from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. and 7:30-10:30 p.m.; and Sunday, May 3 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
The women's final is scheduled for Sunday at 2 p.m., followed by the men's final at 3:30 p.m.
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