Women's beach volleyball AVP Austin Open Pro Tour quarterfinals at Krieg Fields in Austin, Texas on May 7, 2022. (Photo: Ralph Arvesen)
Fourth seeded Chase Budinger/Troy Field upset top-seeded Tri Bourne/Trevor Crabb to secure semifinal spot heading into Championship Sunday at AVP Pro Series Austin Open. Chase Budinger won two of the three tournaments on the AVP Tour last season, and even with a new partner this year, he has continued his remarkable run of success. Returning to the state where he began his NBA career, the former Houston Rockets forward and partner Troy Field – seeded fourth – secured a men’s semifinal berth in the AVP Pro Series Austin Open thanks to a 21-18, 21-14 upset victory Saturday over top-seeded Tri Bourne and Trevor Crabb.
Second-seeded Andy Benesh and Olympic gold medalist Phil Dalhausser secured the other men’s semifinal berth. In the women’s bracket, Canadian Olympians Melissa Humana-Paredes Sarah Pavan rode their No. 1 seed into the semis, and U.S. Olympian Kelly Cheng and new partner Betsi Flint, seeded second, moved into the other semi.
Contenders’ bracket quarterfinals begin Sunday at 9:00 am, with the semis starting at 11:10 am. The women’s championship match starts at 2:00 pm, and the men’s title tilt goes at 3:00 pm. The three-day Austin Open runs through Sunday and features 16 men’s and 16 women’s teams competing for a $125,000 purse. It is the season opener for a 2022 AVP schedule that includes 16 tournaments in 12 states across the country and offers $2 million in prize money – the most comprehensive tournament slate for the AVP since 2009. (Source: AVP)
“It’s been great so far. I wouldn’t say I’m surprised (with our success). Betsi is one of the most mentally tough players out there, and that’s something I’ve been working on. I feel super lucky with how much I’ve been able to learn from her. Our dynamic is really fun, and I’m excited for what this year and the future holds.” – Kelly Cheng, on her new partnership with Betsi Flint, after the second-seeded pair secured a berth in the semifinals with a 21-16, 13-21, 15-12 victory over third-seeded Terese Cannon and Sarah Sponcil, Cheng’s former partner
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Saturday’s Notable Results
- (1) Melissa Humana-Paredes/Sarah Pavan def. (4) Sara Hughes/Kelley Kolinske, 21-18, 21-16
- (2) Kelly Cheng/Besti Flint def. (3) Terese Cannon/Sarah Sponcil, 21-16, 13-21, 15-12
Sunday’s Key Matches
- 9:00 am: Women’s contenders’ bracket quarterfinal: (4) Sara Hughes/Kelley Kolinske vs. (6) Taryn Kloth/Kristen Nuss
- 9:05 am: Women’s contenders’ bracket quarterfinal: (3) Terese Cannon/Sarah Sponcil vs. (5) Emily Day/Emily Stockman
- 11:10 am: Women’s semifinal: (2) Kelly Cheng/Betsi Flint vs. TBD
- 11:15 am: Women’s semifinal: (1) Melissa Humana-Paredes/Sarah Pavan vs. TBD
- 2:00 pm: Women’s final
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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