Olympians To Headline AVP’s Manhattan Beach Open

MANHATTAN BEACH, CA —Olympic gold medalists Alix Klineman and April Ross will be hitting the sand near the Manhattan Beach Pier this weekend for the AVP Manhattan Beach Open.

"This is the longest-running professional volleyball tournament in the history of the game," Al Lau, COO of AVP Beach Volleyball, told Patch. "And the Manhattan Beach Open is considered the granddaddy of them all, the Wimbledon of the event."

Last year's match was canceled due to COVID, making this year's match a hotly anticipated event.

The season will welcome fans back to the beach after the Olympics, where many of the top teams will be playing in Tokyo. After opening in Atlanta Aug. 13-15, the tour goes Manhattan Beach, Aug. 20-22, and then Chicago, Sept. 3-5. A possible fourth event is still being discussed.

"All of our athletes have either participated in the Olympics and/or received medals," Lau said. "The Manhattan Beach Open is renowned all over the world."

In addition to the tournament, a walk of fame ceremony is held on the pier honoring winners from the previous year. "There are plaques along the pier that go all the way back to the '60s," Lau said. "It's really something to see."

The event also offers fans an up-close and personal opportunity to watch and meet their favorite athletes.

Since 1983, the AVP has been the gold standard for beach volleyball. From youth players to world-class pros, the AVP provides opportunities for all athletes to play, with a relentless effort to grow the sport on a national scale.

Free tickets are now available. For more information, go to the AVP website.