The AVP Pro Series Austin Open returns this weekend for the first time since 2019, with competition taking place Friday through Sunday at Krieg Fields. (Photo: Ralph Arvesen)
Returning for its 39th season, and biggest since 2009 (16 total events), the AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour will kick off its 2022 campaign with a highly anticipated return to the Lone Star State as the AVP Pro Series Austin Open gets the season underway Friday-Sunday at Krieg Fields. With competition taking place in a double-elimination format, the tournament will feature the best beach volleyball athletes in the world divided into a main draw composed of 16 men’s teams and 16 women’s teams.
Tri Bourne and Trevor Crabb enter the Austin Open as the top men’s seed, having won two of the last four AVP Tour events. The pair are a team to certainly keep your eye on, especially as seven of the previous 10 AVP season openers have been won by the top-seeded team. On the women’s side, Melissa Humana-Paredes and Sarah Pavan earned their first top seed in what is their 10th AVP event as a team. The much-anticipated Austin Open will kick off at 9:10am CT Friday, and the action will continue through Sunday afternoon. Championship matches are scheduled for 2 p.m. CT for the women and 3 p.m. CT for the men.
Men Friday’s Key Matchups
- 9:15 am: (4) Chase Budinger/Troy Field vs. (13) Dave Palm/Roberto Rodriguez - Former Houston Rockets (NBA) standout Chase Budinger returns to the AVP Tour
- 11:15 am: (2) Andy Benesh/Phil Dalhausser vs. (15) Lev Priima/Silila Tucker - The No.2 seed presents a decorated and classic rookie and veteran combination
- 12:20 pm: (1) Tri Bourne/Trevor Crabb vs (16) Caleb Kwekel/Marty Lorenz – Bourne, a 2020 Olympian, and partner Crabb look to get the Austin Open, and 2022 AVP season, off to a good start.
Women Friday’s Key Matchups
- 10:10 am: (1) Melissa Humana-Paredes/Sarah Pavan vs (16) Carly Skjodt/Geena Urango - With two AVP tournament wins, two second place finishes, and two third place finishes, the No.1 seeds and Canadian Olympians are no stranger to advancing.
- 11:10 am: (3) Terese Cannon/Sarah Sponcil vs (14) Toni Rodriguez/Savvy Simo - Former collegiate rivals Cannon and Sponcil (a 2020 Olympian) revive their partnership this season after finding success as a team in 2018.
- 1:25 pm: (2) Kelly Cheng/Betsi Flint (15) vs. Aurora Davis/Teegan Van Gunst - The No.2 seeds enter the AVP Austin Open as the highest-rated USA team as Cheng, a 2020 Olympian, debuts with a new partner.
AVP
Powered by some of the most dynamic and elite athletes in the world, the Association of Volleyball Professionals is the premier professional beach volleyball organization and longest-running domestic beach volleyball tour in the United States. Founded in 1983, the AVP has produced some of the world’s most beloved athletes, providing fans with unparalleled access to nail-biting matches on the sand. In 1996, beach volleyball became an official sport of the Olympic Games and the AVP proudly serves as the home court for Team USA’s Olympians.
Headquartered in Southern California, the AVP operates a three-tiered development system. AVPFirst, a 501(3)c youth program, is focused on creating healthy lifestyles and a lifelong connection to the sport by offering access to all. AVPNext is a developmental circuit providing athletes the opportunity to develop their skills and earn valuable AVP points to climb the rankings toward becoming a pro. The decorated AVP Pro tour is the gold standard in beach volleyball, with more than 100 professional athletes competing in front of passionate fans nationwide. Additionally, in an effort to grow the sport and celebrate those who love the game, AVP America leads a grassroots movement across the United States to curate thousands of events and matches for fans and players.
AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour
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Photos by Ralph Arvesen
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