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AVP Pros Compete for Largest Purse in Pro Beach Volleyball History This Weekend in Huntington Beach


(PRWEB) May 1, 2007 -- The largest check in AVP Crocs Tour Pro Beach Volleyball history will be awarded this weekend at the AVP Cuervo Gold Crown Huntington Beach Open. In addition to the $200,000 purse in Huntington, a bonus check of $100,000 will be paid to the winning male and female team of the three event Cuervo Gold Crown Series. Catch all the action as tickets are available now at AVP.com/huntington.

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The three event Cuervo Gold Crown Series included stops in Miami, Florida and Dallas, Texas before reaching Huntington Beach over Cinco de Mayo weekend.

Miami was the opening event of the 2007 AVP Croc Tour season. The opening event was a shocker as the number one team in the world of Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh took third place. Miami was the first time the duo did not play in the finals since 2004. Elaine Youngs and Nicole Branagh, who defeated May-Treanor and Walsh in the semifinals, went on to capture the Miami Open title.

May-Treanor and Walsh got their revenge the following weekend in Dallas as they defeated Youngs and Branagh in the finals to capture their first title of the season. Entering Huntington Beach, Youngs and Branagh (684) hold a slight lead in total points over May-Treanor and Walsh (630).

On the men's side, Miami and Dallas saw similar results. Todd Rogers and Phil Dalhausser, winners of eight events in 2006, defeated Sean Rosenthal and Jake Gibb in the final of both events. Dalhausser and Rogers (720) hold a points lead over Rosenthal and Gibb (648) entering Huntington Beach.

While these four teams are clearly in the driver seat towards the $100,000 payday, the depth of the tour is sure to complicate the matter. Youngs and Branagh will not only have to get past May-Treanor and Walsh, but must survive challenges from dominant teams such as April Ross and Jen Boss, Annett Davis and Jenny Johnson Jordan, Holly McPeak and Logan Tom, and Rachel Wacholder and Tyra Turner.

The Men's side is equally as loaded as AVP legend Karch Kiraly looks to capture his 149 career title at the same site where he won number 148 with new partner Kevin Wong. Other top teams include Mike Lambert and Stein Metzger, Larry Witt and Ryan Mariano, Casey Jennings and Mark Williams, and Matt Fuerbringer and Sean Scott who all hope to derail Dalhausser and Rogers in their quest for the $100,000.

The 2007 AVP Crocs Tour makes 18 stops across the United States featuring 150 of the top Pro Beach Volleyball players in the world. With Olympic Gold Medalists, NCAA All-American's and National Champions, fans are sure to have an excellent time in Huntington Beach, May 3 - 6, 2007.

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