Jose Cuervo Series Coming to Hermosa

Some of beach volleyball’s top athletes have registered for the upcoming Hermosa Beach Open-Jose Cuervo Pro Beach Volleyball Series, according to USA Volleyball, including duo John Hyden and Sean Scott, who won last month.

Jenny Kropp and Whitney Pavlik, who won the Manhattan Beach event in the women’s division, have also reportedly registered.

Starting Friday just north of the Hermosa Beach Pier, the three-day Hermosa Beach event serves as the national championship and grand finale of the series.

"I'm so excited to play in a professional tournament domestically period, and to have a chance to play in my own backyard is even better," said pro beach volleyball veteran Casey Jennings of Manhattan Beach in a statement Wednesday.* "Hermosa Beach is and has always been one of the best places to play beach volleyball in the world. We are fortunate to have it back. The fans the atmosphere—it is going to be exciting for everyone involved and I'm looking forward to every bit of this weekend."

He added, "I've been fortunate enough to have won the Hermosa Beach Open a few years ago. Winning this tournament again now that I have two boys would mean the world to me."

The double-elimination tournament, a , is free for spectators to watch.

Qualifier games begin Friday at 9 a.m., and main draw is Saturday, with 32 teams per gender. The women’s final is scheduled for Sunday from 1 to 3 p.m., followed by the men’s final from 3 to 5 p.m.

The Hermosa Beach cumulative prize purse is $150,000.

Earlier:

*Editor's Note: This article was updated with Jennings' comments at 10:47 a.m. Wednesday.