Future is bright for AVP

The Association of Volleyball Professionals made a successful, albeit quiet, return to the pro beach volleyball scene with two events in 2012.
Donald Sun, who bought the bankrupt AVP and organized events in Cincinnati and Santa Barbara, has some ambitious ideas for the future of the pro beach volleyball tour.
He wants to have as many as six events next year and celebrate the 30th anniversary of the AVP, which was formed in 1983.

“It was like the AVP never left,” said Sean Rosenthal, who with Jake Gibb won the AVP Championships in Santa Barbara on Sunday. “It was done really well with the stadium, with the fans, with the crowd, with the players and the management did a good job. We’re excited to have it back.”

Go to the Team USA website for more on the return of the AVP and the AVP Championships in Santa Barbara.

Photo: April Ross, left, and Jennifer Kessy, silver medalists at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, won the women's title at the AVP Championships in Santa Barbara on Sunday. (Credit: Tim Haddock)