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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 9, 2018)
AUGUST 9, 2018 // 11 This year, the Seaside Beach Volleyball tournament takes place Thursday, Aug. 9, through Sunday, Aug. 12. The event is an annual competition that brings players of all ages to compete in 60 divisions. “It’s become more of a culture than an event,” Owen said. This year, Seaside Beach Volleyball is partnering with the Association of Volley- ball Professionals, the largest and biggest beach volleyball tour in the U.S. “It’s really an established event that is iconic in the volleyball world,” Owen said. A new partnership with the Association of Volleyball Professionals elevates the Seaside Beach Volleyball to a higher level of play. “The AVP is like bringing in the NBA players,” Owen said. “You get an opportu- nity to see players who are highlighted on ESPN and on your national sports channels, here in Seaside.” Beach volleyball has become a staple of Seaside summers. “We have a group of fans that show up two days before to get their chairs in the right spot,” Owen said. The adrenaline and energy can draw you in, whether you’re a player, a sports fan or just a fan of the beach, Owen said. At cen- ter court, there is only a short banner that separates fans from players. “You’re so close to the players,” Owen said. “You can reach out and touch them.” Sand play There had been talk of Seaside Beach Volleyball partnering with AVP in past years, Owen said, but this year the timing was right. “They have truly helped us elevate the quality of prizes and the quality of play,” Owen said. AVP has brought Wilson in as a new sponsor for the tournament. The top prizes for both the men and women’s teams have been raised by $1,000, placing the winning amount at $5,000 per team. The AVP partnership will also attract some of the top players of beach volleyball to the tournament this year. The result is a bigger fan base. In addition, the Seaside Beach Volley- ball tournament could serve as an event for college beach volleyball recruitment, Owen said. More colleges are offering beach volleyball scholarships, and the tournament could serve as a hot spot for future players. “You don’t have to buy a ticket to come watch the show. All you have to do is take your shoes off, come down in the sand and have a seat,” Owen said. “Everybody down there is smiling.” CW SCHEDULE THURSDAY, AUG. 9 9 a.m. Youth Players Meeting & National Anthem at Center Court 10 a.m. Youth Dou- bles Pool Play begin COLIN MURPHEY PHOTO A participant in the 2017 Seaside Beach Volleyball tournament gets a face full of sand as he dives for a ball. ‘YOU DON’T HAVE TO BUY A TICKET TO COME WATCH THE SHOW. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS TAKE YOUR SHOES OFF, COME DOWN IN THE SAND, AND HAVE A SEAT. EVERYBODY DOWN THERE IS SMILING.’ JEFF TER HAR PHOTO The Seaside Chamber of Commerce’s beach vol- leyball event draws hundreds of players across the country. Matt Lebourdais, right, tries to stuff a kill attempt in the Men’s Open Championship at a past Sea- side Beach Volleyball tournament. FRIDAY, AUG. 10 8 a.m. Adult Players Meeting & National Anthem at Center Court 9 a.m. Adult Doubles (times may vary) 9 a.m. Youth Dou- bles Brackets begin 9 a.m. Parent/Child and Coach/Player Doubles Pool Play begin 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Quads/Sixes Registration SATURDAY, AUG. 11 Adult Doubles Bracket finish (times may vary) 9 a.m. Junior Quads Pool Play starts (times may vary) 9 a.m. Parent/Child and Coach/Player Doubles Bracket begin 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Quads/Sixes Registration Quads/Sixes Registration ends at 2 p.m. SUNDAY, AUG. 12 Junior Quads finishes 9 a.m. Adult Quads/Sixes begin