Imagine sprinting, jumping, backpedaling, cutting and diving in loose beach sand for, say, only five minutes. The vast majority of us would be bent over, completely gassed, in no time at all. Now try doing this under a blistering sun for hours on end, and you’ll have an idea what some of the toughest, most talented athletes you’ve never heard of do for a living in the Association of Professional Volleyball’s 2010 AVP Nivea Tour.
The Tour will make its annual swing through O.C. at the Huntington Beach Open, which will take place June 3-6, at the south side of the pier in Surf City. Early qualifying rounds will take place June 3-5, and the tournament’s women’s and men’s finals will be played June 6 at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., respectively. Gates open at 8 a.m. (7:45 a.m. on June 6).
For decades, the vast majority of pro volleyball players have excelled at the NCAA Division I level, with a high percentage earning All-American honors. Many make the sport a full-time job, competing in the European winter leagues during the AVP’s off-season.
Orange County athletes have always been well-represented in the AVP Tour. For example, Costa Mesa native Misty May-Treanor has won a large number of pro tournaments and, with longtime partner Kerri Walsh, has won two Olympic Gold medals, in 2004 and 2008.
|
Imagine sprinting, jumping, backpedaling, cutting and diving in loose beach sand for, say, only five minutes. The vast majority of us would be bent over, completely gassed, in no time at all. Now try doing this under a blistering sun for hours on end, and you’ll have an idea what some of the toughest, most talented athletes you’ve never heard of do for a living in the Association of Professional Volleyball’s 2010 AVP Nivea Tour.
