In the early 1920's, at Santa Monica Beach, California, the first known beach volleyball nets were put up for families to play on. The sport quickly grew in popularity and in 1927, beach volleyball became the principle sport played on the sands of a French nudist camp. Matches began to be played on beaches around the world. In 1948, the first tournament held in California awarded its winners a case of Pepsi.
The sport flourished and tournaments and events featuring beach volleyball continued to grow in popularity. Then on July 21, 1983, the Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP) was created. It formed to preserve the integrity of beach volleyball and to protect players' interests.
It was ten years until women's events begin to be played at AVP events. In 1993, Holly McPeak became the first winner of the women's championship. That same year, beach volleyball became an official Olympic sport. The 1996 Atlanta games were where beach volleyball made its Olympic debut.
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A look back on volleyball and AVP
A look back on volleyball and AVP
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